Kerala is looking to the skies to tackle human-wildlife conflict, but is it feasible?

But the proposal has opened up a wider debate: can helicopters offer a practical solution to the growing human-wildlife conflict in Kerala, or would they become a costly response to a much more complex environmental problem? (file image for illustration) | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT

Imagine a sedated tiger suspended under the rotors or inside an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter, flying over the hills of Kerala before being released into the depths of the interior forest. What sounds like a scene from a wildlife documentary may soon become a serious conservation option.

The Kerala Forest Department has proposed the use of Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters to relocate captured Schedule I animals, including tigers and leopards, and where possible other large mammals, from conflict areas to secure forest habitats. If approved, it could become the first such cross-border exercise in the country.

But the proposal has opened up a wider debate: can helicopters offer a practical solution to the growing human-wildlife conflict in Kerala, or would they become a costly response to a much more complex environmental problem?

The state, through the Department of Defense, has requested the center’s assistance in facilitating emergency airlifts of conflict animals, preferably free of charge or at discounted rates. The idea stems from a familiar challenge. Kerala’s rugged terrain, fragmented road network and long travel times make moving the placid carnivores by road difficult and stressful for the animals and risky for field staff.

Forest officials say that reducing transportation time could improve animal welfare while reducing operational risks.

Chief Wildlife Warden P. Pugazhendi said aerial translocation is already an established conservation tool worldwide, pointing to cheetahs being flown in from Africa for reintroduction in Kuno National Park and the recent relocation of a tigress from Madhya Pradesh’s Pench Tiger Reserve to Rajasthan. While such operations have largely been linked to reintroduction or rewilding programs, Kerala wants to keep open the possibility of relocating problem animals within its own forests during emergencies.

A senior forest official added that any such exercise would require detailed protocols and support from the centre.

Load capacity studies wanted

The proposal comes as the center is also exploring the broader idea of ​​moving wildlife from landscapes where populations exceed ecological carrying capacity to habitats where populations remain low. To support such decisions, Kerala has sought scientific carrying capacity studies from the Indian Wildlife Institute of Dehradun and the Indian Institute of Forest Management in Bhopal.

Kerala Forest Minister Shibu Baby John said the Center gave a positive response to both the requests during a recent meeting with Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav.

According to him, the IAF has indicated that smaller animals, including tigers, could be airlifted, while moving elephants would require heavy Chinook helicopters stationed in Chandigarh.

The central government, he added, was willing to relocate surplus wildlife to appropriate tiger reserves or protected areas if scientific studies justified such interventions. “It would help preserve wildlife without resorting to killing animals,” the minister stressed.

Questions remain

However, not everyone is convinced.

Wildlife ecologist PS Easa said the question was not whether helicopters could fly with animals, but whether the idea made ecological and economic sense.

“Such models are borrowed from Africa where there are vast landscapes. Kerala has a dense human population, limited forest area and different ground realities. We cannot simply replicate these approaches,” he said.

He said any aerial translocation would have to be evaluated for cost-effectiveness and long-term conservation value. Finding suitable sites for ‘re-wild’ animals in Kerala itself, especially those with large home ranges, would remain a challenge. While relocating big cats may be more feasible, moving elephants could be significantly more complicated, he added.

Officials themselves recognize the obstacles. Airlift of wildlife would not be cheap and would require coordination outside the forest department, including support from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority and the armed forces.

Published – 17 Jul 2026 16:25 IST