State-level conclave to discuss strategy to resolve human-wildlife conflict: Minister

Crops damaged by wild elephants in Thrissur. | Photo credit: File photo

A state-level conclave will be held in Thiruvambady on September 29 to develop scientific and practical solutions to wildlife attacks faced by farmers in the hilly areas of Kerala, Agriculture Minister T. Siddique said on Sunday (September 20).

The conclave is organized by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Ministry of Forests as part of the 100-day government action programme.

Besides farmers, experts from Veterinary University, Kerala Agricultural University, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Wildlife Institute of India, Kerala Forest Research Institute and agro-tech startups will participate in the conclave.

The government plans to explore artificial intelligence, bio-fencing and technology-based barriers along with conventional methods to protect farmland from wildlife attacks. The preventive measures will be taken at three levels – crop-wise, species-wise and area-wise, Mr. Siddique said.

The minister said the government preferred the term “prevention of wildlife attacks” to “human-wildlife conflict”, pointing out that attacks on farmland were largely one-sided. The practical recommendations emerging from the conclave will be implemented as pilot projects in various parts of the state, he added.

He also said that climate change has put the agricultural sector in the state under severe stress. He said he raised the issue at a meeting of South Indian agriculture ministers in Hyderabad.

Temperatures soaring up to 36 degrees Celsius during the day, summer drought, intense monsoon rainfall, cloudbursts and landslides have adversely affected agricultural production in the state, according to the minister. He said the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with Kerala Agricultural University and Amrita University is preparing a program to develop climate-resilient farming practices and crop varieties.

A long-term resilience plan is also being prepared in coordination with the Irrigation Department and the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, he added.

The state has asked the Union government for special financial assistance to take measures to deal with emergencies and crop losses due to climate change, Mr. Siddique said. Regarding compensation for wildlife attacks, he said the forest department was taking steps to increase the compensation substantially. Compensation for crop losses caused by wildlife attacks has already been increased by 25%. Steps were being taken to settle pending compensation payments.

The government has also accelerated the payment of arrears of the Disaster Management Fund due in 2021 and pending payments to coconut seed farmers. Necessary changes would also be made in insurance coverage to ensure maximum benefits to farmers affected by wildlife attacks, the minister said.

Published – 20 Sep 2026 23:28 IST