Lok Sabha Question No. 359 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Man–Animal Conflict in Kerala
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 359

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## Man-Animal Conflict in Kerala

## 359.     SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of incidents of man-animal conflict reported in the State of Kerala during the last ten years, year and district-wise;
- (b) the number of human deaths and cases of serious injuries caused by wildlife during the said period, year and district-wise;
- (c) the details of animals involved in such incidents, species-wise;
- (d) the amount of compensation claimed, sanctioned and paid to the victims or their families in the said State during the last ten years, year and district-wise;
- (e) whether any delays or deficiencies in payment of compensation have been reported, and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (f) the measures taken by the Government to mitigate man-animal conflict in the State of Kerala, including preventive infrastructure, early warning systems and habitat management?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) to (f)  The management of wildlife including mitigation of human-animal conflicts is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration. The State Government/Union Territory Administration is the first responder in Human Wildlife Conflict situations.  The  district-wise  data  regarding  human  wildlife  conflict,  including  compensation claimed and paid is maintained at the State Government level. The important steps taken by the Government to manage and mitigate the human-wildlife conflicts are as follows:

- i. An advisory on dealing with human-wildlife conflict has been issued by the Ministry in February 2021. The Advisory recommends coordinated interdepartmental action, identification of conflict hot spots, adherence  to Standard Operating Procedures, establishment of rapid response teams, formation of State and District level committees to review the quantum of ex-gratia relief for its expeditious payments, issuing guidance and

instructions  for  expedited  relief  payments,  preferably  within  24  hours  to  the  affected persons, in the case of death and injury to persons.

- ii. The Ministry has also issued guidelines to States and UTs on 3 rd  June 2022 on managing human-wildlife conflicts including damage to crops.
- iii. The  Ministry  has  also  issued  species-specific  guidelines  to  deal  with  human-wildlife conflict  situations  on  21.03.2023  for  mitigation  of  Human  Wildlife  conflicts  involving Elephant, Gaur, Leopard, Snake, Crocodile, Rhesus Macaque, Wild Pig, Bear, Blue Bull and Blackbuck.
- iv. The Central Government provides financial assistance to State/Union Territory Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes, 'Development of Wildlife Habitats' and  'Project  Tiger  and  Elephant'  for  management  of  wildlife  and  its  habitat  including support  for  broad  activities  like-compensation  for  depredation  by  wild  animals  and construction of physical barriers such as barbed wire fence, solar powered electric fence, bio-fencing using cactus, boundary wall etc. to prevent the entry of wild animals into crop fields, capacity building and also provides ex gratia relief to the victims of human-wildlife conflicts. The States/Union Territories make ex-gratia payments for loss of livestock, crops and human life including injuries due to human-wildlife conflicts as per the norms, which vary from State to State.
- v. The Section 11 (1) (a) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, empowers the State Chief Wild Life Wardens to grant permits for hunting animals falling in Schedule I of the Act, which become dangerous to human life. Further, the Section 11 (1) (b) of the Act empowers State Chief Wild Life Warden or any authorized officer to grant permits for hunting of wild animals falling under Schedule-II of the Act, if such animals have become dangerous to human life or property.