Human-animal conflict in Keralam: Compensation for victims likely to be revised

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Compensation for victims of human-wildlife conflict is likely to be enhanced by the Keralam government, even as crop damage caused by wildlife in Kozhikode crossed ₹1.35 crore in the first eight months of this year, highlighting the growing pressure on farmers in the district.

Sources in the Ministry of Agriculture confirm that the revised compensation package is likely to be announced after the State-level conclave on human-wildlife conflict to be held at Thiruvambady on September 29.

The compensation for families of those killed in wildlife attacks could be raised from the existing ₹14 lakh to up to ₹21 lakh. Assistance for those injured and treatment expenses may also be enhanced.

“The proposed revision is expected to take into account recommendations from various farmers’ organisations and experts from the Kerala Forest Research Institute and Kerala Agricultural University, besides other stakeholders,” says a senior leader with the Karshaka Congress who was part of various delegations on the issue. He points out that a similar revision is expected in the case of crop loss.

Agriculture Minister T. Siddique had recently indicated that the compensation would be increased as per farmers’ demands. At present, the family of a person killed in an attack by an elephant, tiger, leopard or wild buffalo is eligible for ₹10 lakh-₹14 lakh from the State government and ₹4 lakh from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).

According to Agriculture department officials, the State government has already constituted a five-member expert committee to prepare guidelines for determining and providing compensation to people killed or injured in human-wildlife conflicts. The Chief Wildlife Warden is the head of the panel, with the member secretary of KSDMA, the Land Revenue Commissioner, and the directors of Animal Husbandry and Agriculture as members, they say.

The move is aimed at formulating uniform guidelines and accurate criteria for assessing compensation, reducing the need for case-by-case administrative scrutiny and preventing delays in pay out. The constitution of the committee forms part of the United Democratic Front government’s 100-day action programme.

The possible increase in compensation comes against the backdrop of mounting crop losses. According to Agriculture Department data, crops worth ₹1,35,29,000 were damaged in Kozhikode between January and August 14. Cultivation spread across 72.42 hectares was affected, with banana accounting for a major share of the losses.