Thiruvananthapuram: Forest minister Shibu Baby John announced that the forest department's 100-day action plan will commence on Sunday, aiming to ensure the safety of people living along Kerala's forest borders and reduce human-animal conflict. The programme seeks to protect the state's biodiversity while safeguarding people's lives and property through the implementation of 17 public-focused initiatives.
Key Initiatives
Over the next 100 days, the department will focus on reducing wildlife conflict, speeding up compensation disbursal, strengthening wildlife monitoring with modern technology, and digitising public services. An integrated online portal and WhatsApp-based services will be introduced to ensure faster resolution of issues, including compensation claims. A 24/7 forest call centre will also be made operational. With support from national scientific institutions, a study will be conducted on the wildlife carrying capacity of Kerala's forests.
Infrastructure and Safety Measures
As part of the first phase, 100 km of new solar-powered fencing will be installed in highly conflict-prone areas. Repairs to around 2,000 km of existing fences will be completed swiftly, along with the introduction of a centralised monitoring system. To improve traveller safety on forest routes, a 100-km "vista clearance" project to clear roadside undergrowth will begin, alongside the second phase of the Sarpa snake rescue initiative. Additionally, 25 satellite rapid response teams (RRTs) will be formed, along with new metro response teams in urban areas.
Legal and Policy Changes
The state will submit a revised proposal to the central government seeking legal amendments to tackle the menace caused by wild boars and bonnet macaques. Kerala has requested that wild boars be classified as vermin under the Wildlife Protection Act and that monkeys be shifted from Schedule I to Schedule II. Wild boar population surveys will be conducted at the panchayat level, and a panel of authorised shooters will be prepared. To manage local disturbances caused by monkeys, peacocks, and similar species, panchayat-level response teams will be set up and trained, with forest liaison officers appointed to coordinate efforts.
Special Focus Areas
A special package will be prepared for severely affected regions of Wayanad, Kothamangalam, and Munnar. An expert committee will be appointed to study the introduction of an insurance scheme for farmers and residents of wildlife-affected areas. A state-level advisory panel comprising farmers and scientists will be created, along with a dedicated action plan to strengthen the forest veterinary wing. Closed and abandoned estates that have become wildlife habitats will be mapped and cleaned up through a dedicated mechanism. Steps will also be taken to revise captive elephant management rules and modernise elephant care centres.
