Kerala government to promote crop patterns, expedite surveys to curb human-wildlife conflict
The State government has decided to promote suitable farming practices in forest fringe areas to keep wild animals away from human settlements and to expedite
The State government has decided to promote suitable farming practices in forest fringe areas to keep wild animals away from human settlements and to expedite digital surveys to accurately determine the boundaries of inhabited areas adjoining forests as part of measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. The decisions were taken at a joint meeting of Ministers from various departments chaired by Forest Minister Shibu Baby John on Friday to improve inter-departmental coordination and expedite procedures related to human-wildlife conflict.
Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Backward Classes K.A. Thulasi, Revenue Minister A.P. Anilkumar, and Agriculture Minister T. Siddique attended the meeting. It was decided to entrust the Agriculture department with the responsibility of assessing crop losses caused by wildlife attacks. The department’s assistance will also be sought to ensure insurance coverage and provide compensation in cases where crops such as coconut and cocoa are damaged by wild animals, including monkeys and giant squirrels.
Digital survey The Forest Minister requested the Revenue department to commence the digital survey at the earliest to accurately determine the boundaries of inhabited areas adjoining forests. The Revenue Minister informed the meeting that revenue officials will participate in adalats planned to be held in August under the government’s 100-day action programme to facilitate the issuance of various no-objection certificates (NOCs) for residents of forest border areas, as well as in adalats related to wildlife attacks. With the cooperation of the Revenue department and the SC, ST and Backward Classes Welfare department, a decision will soon be taken on handing over land titles to 250 families linked to the Arippa land struggle in Kollam, official sources said.
The meeting also decided to expedite the process of removing trees from agricultural land at the Panthapra tribal settlement in Ernakulam. Besides, it resolved to remove obstacles to providing roads, drinking water and electricity to residents of forest areas.
The BriefWire