Thiruvananthapuram, June 8: Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the President of the Kerala BJP and a legislator, sharply criticized the LDF and UDF governments on Monday regarding the increasing human-wildlife conflicts in the state. He accused both fronts of failing to protect residents living near forested and hilly areas from frequent wildlife attacks.
Chandrasekhar stated that in just the past two weeks, five people have lost their lives due to wildlife incidents in Kerala, yet the state government has not implemented effective preventive measures. He alleged that the relevant departments have shown “criminal negligence” despite the rising threat.
He referenced the tragic death of Mariyammal in Suryanelli, highlighting that this incident reflects the fear and insecurity faced by those living near forest areas. Mariyammal was killed by a wild elephant while taking her son to school, and her injured child is still undergoing treatment.
Chandrasekhar remarked, “The situation has become such that people cannot live in their own villages without fear.”
Citing government statistics, he claimed that between 2016 and 2025, wildlife attacks resulted in 1,128 deaths and 8,480 injuries in Kerala. According to him, 260 people lost their lives during this period due to attacks from elephants, tigers, and wild boars.
The BJP leader noted that from 2020 to 2025, elephant attacks alone claimed 102 lives, while a total of 344 people died from various wildlife attacks between 2021 and 2025.
He emphasized that the central government has provided financial assistance and extensive powers to states to address human-wildlife conflicts. This includes measures such as solar fencing, safety barriers, rapid response teams, monitoring sensitive areas, and managing elephant corridors.
However, Chandrasekhar accused the Kerala government of failing to effectively utilize the available funds and legal provisions. He also criticized the delays in compensating victims and their families.
Targeting both the LDF and UDF, he pointed out that while the UDF raised this issue when in opposition, they took no concrete steps upon coming to power. Similarly, the LDF has not found a permanent solution during its nearly decade-long rule.
Chandrasekhar called on the government to immediately adopt modern technologies such as drones, AI-based monitoring systems, and real-time warning mechanisms to prevent wildlife from entering human settlements.
He concluded, “Ensuring the safety of citizens’ lives and property is the government’s foremost responsibility.”
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