Stories
Idukki Fencing Removal: Govt Will Address Public Concerns, Says Minister John
- •Keralam Forest and Wildlife Minister Shibu Baby John assured that public concerns regarding the removal of fencing and obstructions from encroached and Revenue-Forest lands will be addressed.
- •The district collector ordered the removal of obstructions and restoration of elephant corridors to mitigate rising human-wildlife conflicts.
- •Minister John emphasized that resolving human-wildlife conflicts requires a collaborative effort among the government, farmers, and environmentalists.
- •An advisory committee is being formed, and the government plans to replace the practice of using firecrackers with modern positive conditioning methods to drive away elephants.
- •The minister highlighted that while tourists view wildlife sightings as exciting, it remains a serious life-and-death threat for impoverished locals living in vulnerable areas.
Key Questions Answered
The district collector directed the restoration of elephant corridors and the removal of fencing lines and other obstructions from encroached and Revenue-Forest lands to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. Forest Minister Shibu Baby John clarified that these actions target illegal resorts and major encroachments on government land, ensuring that ordinary citizens' normal lives and properties will not be disrupted.
Forest Minister Shibu Baby John stated that the government is forming an advisory committee that includes eligible resort and nursery owners, and emphasized that environmentalists, farmers, and the government must collaborate. Additionally, the state plans to replace the practice of using firecrackers with a positive conditioning method used in foreign countries, and will work with the Centre to address practical hurdles in wildlife management.
No, Forest Minister Shibu Baby John assured that the government never stated it would demolish all fences or destroy constructions belonging to ordinary people. The actions under the Disaster Management Act and court orders are strictly directed against unauthorized resorts and illegal encroachments blocking elephant paths on government land.
