Man-animal strife: Seeking answers in the bountiful repository of tribal wisdom in Kerala
Such seemingly obscure nuggets of information have long been part of tribal wisdom. Cashing in on this, a rich repository of traditional tribal wisdom is being documented in the state as part of the collaborative effort of the state forest department and the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI).
The project has assumed greater importance at a time when Kerala has been witnessing an increase in human-wildlife conflict; and its widespread ramifications — both social and political — are being felt across the state.
Pushed to the wall, the forest department came up with the novel initiative to tap into the traditional wisdom of forest-dwelling communities that have long lived in peaceful co-existence with wildlife. The fact that a few indigenous people also lost their lives in recent attacks has made it all the more pertinent to cash in on such indigenous knowledge that is part and parcel of tribal lives.
Thus took shape Gothrabheri, one of ten missions proposed to address human-wildlife conflict in the state. Envisaged as a learning initiative, it's being undertaken by KFRI with funding from the forest department. Senior forest officer Raju Francis who coordinated the conceptualisation of Gothrabheri had, in his own words, a truly enriching experience in the course of having spent hours with hamlet chiefs in this regard.
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The Hindu
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- The Hindu
Otter threat lurks on Kottayam's riverbanks
The threat from large reptiles like crocodiles is well known, but as residents across Kottayam are now discovering, danger in the water isn't always measured by size. The number of otters in the Meenachil river and its tributaries has reached alarming proportions, instilling fear among those living along the banks. With an increasing number of otter bite incidents being reported, residents are now urging the government to take immediate steps to control their population. Most affected areas The situation is especially dire in regions such as Vijayapuram, Kumarakom, Aymanam, Arpookkara, Thiruvathukkal, Kottayam town, and Thazhathangadi. A recent incident in Velur near Kottayam has brought the issue into stark focus. Nisani, 53, wife of Ibrahimkutty from Kalayamkary, Panampady in Velur, died after being bitten by a large otter while washing clothes near her home. Although her death is suspected to have been caused by a heart attack following an anti-rabies injection, the incident has left riverside residents terrified. Since then, routine activities like washing clothes or utensils in the river have become fraught with fear. Beyond posing a danger to human safety, the ballooning otter population has wreaked havoc on local fish farmers. Despite installing protective nets around their ponds, farmers report significant losses as otters, often attacking in groups, breach defences and consume large quantities of fish. Once a rare sight, otters are now commonly seen navigating the waterways, particularly in stretches between Poovathumood and Vattamood bridges and around Parampuzha. Forest officials have also confirmed an increase in otter activity along the Meenachil river and nearby streams, especially during the animals' breeding season when they become more aggressive. Why population surge The otter is classified as a 'vulnerable' species on the IUCN Red List, making poaching a punishable offense. According to experts, the rise in otter populations across riverine systems can largely be attributed to the absence of natural predators. 'Until around 2000, hunting groups from Andhra Pradesh would visit Kerala's waterbodies in search of otters. But with the tightening of wildlife conservation laws, that practice came to an abrupt end,' noted A. Jaison, former head of Wildlife Biology at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI). 'Most practical solution' Otters inhabit rivers with dense bankside vegetation, marshes, and rocky areas. While manipulation of habitats could serve as a temporary deterrent, Dr. Jaison recommends trapping as the only currently viable option for population control. 'Capturing and relocating the animals might be the most practical solution,' he said. Aby Iype, district general secretary of the Karshaka Congress, has urged the government to officially classify otters as vermin. 'The otter menace is a serious threat not just to human life, but also to the livelihoods of those involved in aquaculture,' he pointed out.
New Indian Express
05-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Man-animal strife: Seeking answers in the bountiful repository of tribal wisdom in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Did you know that stones pelted by women don't scare away monkeys or that bears that return to a spot three-four times suggest that they are feeling threatened and are likely to attack? That one can read elephant behaviour from the manner in which it folds its trunk or sways its ears? That rotten sardines can keep animals away? Such seemingly obscure nuggets of information have long been part of tribal wisdom. Cashing in on this, a rich repository of traditional tribal wisdom is being documented in the state as part of the collaborative effort of the state forest department and the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI). The project has assumed greater importance at a time when Kerala has been witnessing an increase in human-wildlife conflict; and its widespread ramifications — both social and political — are being felt across the state. Pushed to the wall, the forest department came up with the novel initiative to tap into the traditional wisdom of forest-dwelling communities that have long lived in peaceful co-existence with wildlife. The fact that a few indigenous people also lost their lives in recent attacks has made it all the more pertinent to cash in on such indigenous knowledge that is part and parcel of tribal lives. Thus took shape Gothrabheri, one of ten missions proposed to address human-wildlife conflict in the state. Envisaged as a learning initiative, it's being undertaken by KFRI with funding from the forest department. Senior forest officer Raju Francis who coordinated the conceptualisation of Gothrabheri had, in his own words, a truly enriching experience in the course of having spent hours with hamlet chiefs in this regard.
Deccan Herald
04-07-2025
- Deccan Herald
Kerala turns to tribal wisdom to help solve human-animal conflict
For the first time in India, the Kerala Forest Department has launched a programme called 'Gothrabheri', which brings together the traditional knowledge of tribal communities to help address human-animal conflict in the state.
