A District Development Committee (DDC) meeting, chaired by Collector Kesavendrakumar, has called for a comprehensive action plan to mitigate the increasing incidence of human-wildlife conflict in Wayanad district. A joint meeting of senior officials of the Forest Department and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) would be convened soon to discuss the issue r, Mr. Kesavendrakumar said after the meeting.
“The conflict has increased considerably in the past few years and as many as four persons were killed in wildlife attacks in a month. Hence the issue should be tackled with the financial assistance of the government or NABARD,” the meet said.
C.K. Saseendran, MLA, said a comprehensive project, after a scientific study, was the need of the hour. Mono-crops such as teak and eucalyptus planted in forest areas after destroying the natural forest was the major reason for wildlife attack, he said.
Erecting fences, where the conflict was highest, was an effective measure to address the issue, as such constructions in the neighbouring Bandipur Tiger Reserve had proved to be an effective measure, I.C. Balakrishnan MLA, said. The MLAs urged the Forest Department to provide sanction to the KSEB to erect 2.2-km high-tension cables through the sanctuary to provide power supply to the Chettyalathur hamlet inside the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary where 90 families were waiting for power connection.
ITDP project officer A. Vanidas said the Tribal Development Department had allotted a sum of Rs.2 crore to prevent leakage of tribal houses during the monsoon.
Mr.Kesavendrakumar directed Public Works Department officials to expedite steps to complete the remaining works including the construction work of a girls’ hostel and auditorium of the government college.
National Highway authorities said they would submit the project report for the proposed bypass at Sulthan Bathery soon.
Four killed in animal attacks
in a month
Mono-crops planted in forests cited as reason for conflict
