Times of India: Kochi: Thursday, 6th March 2025.
As many as 197 people lost
their lives in wild elephant attacks in Kerala over the past nine years
(2016-2025), the state forest department said in a reply provided under the
Right to Information (RTI) Act. However, the department failed to provide specific
information on the percentage of functional protection mechanisms in place,
raising questions about the effectiveness of measures to mitigate
human-wildlife conflicts.
In a reply dated Feb 18, 2025, to Kochi-based RTI activist K Govindan Nampoothiry, the state public information officer (SPIO) of the chief wildlife warden, Kerala, disclosed that, in addition to elephant attacks, 53 people died due to wild boar attacks and 10 others lost their lives in tiger attacks during the same period.
"The department also stated that 280 community committees and 28 rapid response teams (RRTs) are currently active to address human-wildlife conflicts. However, it did not provide specific information on the percentage of functional protection mechanisms, such as physical barriers, that are still operational," said Nampoothiry.
"In a baffling response, the SPIO declined to provide information on the percentage of physical barriers erected to prevent human-wildlife conflicts that are still operational," he said.
The SPIO cited the vagueness of the query as the reason for not providing a clear answer, which has led to concerns about the department's transparency and accountability.
"They gave a dismissive reply to a specific query about the percentage of physical barriers erected between May 2016 and Jan 8, 2025, that are still operational. "This raises serious concerns about the department's willingness to share critical information. I have now filed a first appeal seeking specific answers in this regard," he added.
The RTI reply has sparked concerns about the effectiveness of the measures being implemented to prevent human-wildlife conflicts and protect human lives, Nampoothiry said.
In a reply dated Feb 18, 2025, to Kochi-based RTI activist K Govindan Nampoothiry, the state public information officer (SPIO) of the chief wildlife warden, Kerala, disclosed that, in addition to elephant attacks, 53 people died due to wild boar attacks and 10 others lost their lives in tiger attacks during the same period.
"The department also stated that 280 community committees and 28 rapid response teams (RRTs) are currently active to address human-wildlife conflicts. However, it did not provide specific information on the percentage of functional protection mechanisms, such as physical barriers, that are still operational," said Nampoothiry.
"In a baffling response, the SPIO declined to provide information on the percentage of physical barriers erected to prevent human-wildlife conflicts that are still operational," he said.
The SPIO cited the vagueness of the query as the reason for not providing a clear answer, which has led to concerns about the department's transparency and accountability.
"They gave a dismissive reply to a specific query about the percentage of physical barriers erected between May 2016 and Jan 8, 2025, that are still operational. "This raises serious concerns about the department's willingness to share critical information. I have now filed a first appeal seeking specific answers in this regard," he added.
The RTI reply has sparked concerns about the effectiveness of the measures being implemented to prevent human-wildlife conflicts and protect human lives, Nampoothiry said.
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