New Delhi: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has written to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan regarding the loss of life due to animal attacks in the Wayanad Lok Sabha Constituency, of which she is the MP.
In her letter, dated February 20, Priyanka has called for the release of adequate funds to protect human habitation in and around the forests in Wayanad.
“Seven people have lost their lives due to attacks from wild animals in the short period between December 27, 2024 and February 12, 2025. The loss of lives and livelihood is causing fear, suffering and immense anguish for people of that area,” she wrote..
She went on to write how she met families of the victims and local authorities. The local authorities apparently told her that they are doing their best to save human lives while discharging their duties towards protection of forests and wildlife.
“However, it is my understanding that the funds required for adequate measures to be taken for the protection of human habitations that lie in and around the forest areas are not available to the local administration. While a significant part of the responsibility for this lies with the Ministry of Environment and Forests at the Centre, the central government is required to match the state allocation. Thus, when the state allocation is not received, the central government desists from sending their share of funds. This leaves the local administration in a dire situation where they are under immense pressure from the pain and panic caused by the frequency of animal attacks and yet unable to take mitigating measures,” Priyanka said.
She was apparently informed by local authorities that an increase in allocation is required for acquisition of thermal drones, camera traps, live CCTV cameras, and radio collars to monitor animal movement. There is also an urgent need of increasing the number of RRT vehicles.
“Facilities at the local animal hospice centre at Sulthan Bathery requires to be upgraded as the number of animals in it has increased and it is already functioning beyond its capacity. Most importantly, funds for the building and maintenance of physical barriers such as elephant proof trenches, walls, solar fencing and hanging fences are urgently needed,” the MP further stated.
“It is my earnest request that funding for mitigation measures should be increased immediately and sent to the district administrations of Wayanad and Malappuram. In addition, I would like to suggest that a specialised team should be created in consultation with the MoEF, Government of India, and despatched to the area to expedite urgent measures for the protection of human lives and habitation that fall within zones considered to be at high risk of animal-man conflicts,” she added.
