District-level committee meets to address rising human-wildlife conflict
: In the wake of increasing incidents of human-wildlife conflict, a district-level control committee meeting was convened under the leadership of district collector Anu Kumari.
The meeting focused on implementing sustainable solutions to reduce such conflicts, particularly in forest-fringe areas.
One of the key decisions taken at the meeting was to promote the cultivation of crops that are less likely to attract wild animals. Farmers in the buffer zones will be encouraged to grow aromatic and medicinal plants such as ginger, turmeric and pepper, as well as citrus fruits like wild lime and rough lemon.
The committee noted that crops like kacholam, koduveli, adalodakam and neem, along with coffee plants, can offer dual benefits, deterring wildlife and providing better income opportunities for farmers.
The committee also reviewed the progress of constructing nine elephant-proof trenches across the forest ranges of Paruthippally, Palode and Kulathupuzha. Four of these trenches were completed, while work on the remaining is underway.
As part of efforts to safeguard farmlands and reduce elephant intrusions, it was also decided to construct trenches across 11.8km under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana scheme. Additionally, permission was granted for constructing a check dam at Kallar to help control elephant movement and protect nearby agricultural areas.
The meeting further resolved to expedite the repair and maintenance of existing solar fencing in vulnerable zones.
The session was attended by DFO Shanawas and representatives from various govt departments. The committee emphasised that a coordinated, multi-departmental approach is essential to effectively manage the growing threat posed by human-wildlife encounters in the region.
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Thiruvananthapuram : In the wake of increasing incidents of human-wildlife conflict, a district-level control committee meeting was convened under the leadership of district collector Anu Kumari. The meeting focused on implementing sustainable solutions to reduce such conflicts, particularly in forest-fringe areas. One of the key decisions taken at the meeting was to promote the cultivation of crops that are less likely to attract wild animals. Farmers in the buffer zones will be encouraged to grow aromatic and medicinal plants such as ginger, turmeric and pepper, as well as citrus fruits like wild lime and rough lemon. The committee noted that crops like kacholam, koduveli, adalodakam and neem, along with coffee plants, can offer dual benefits, deterring wildlife and providing better income opportunities for farmers. The committee also reviewed the progress of constructing nine elephant-proof trenches across the forest ranges of Paruthippally, Palode and Kulathupuzha. Four of these trenches were completed, while work on the remaining is underway. As part of efforts to safeguard farmlands and reduce elephant intrusions, it was also decided to construct trenches across 11.8km under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana scheme. Additionally, permission was granted for constructing a check dam at Kallar to help control elephant movement and protect nearby agricultural areas. The meeting further resolved to expedite the repair and maintenance of existing solar fencing in vulnerable zones. The session was attended by DFO Shanawas and representatives from various govt departments. The committee emphasised that a coordinated, multi-departmental approach is essential to effectively manage the growing threat posed by human-wildlife encounters in the region.
