Forest department begins awareness project to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts in Munnar

Forest department and KDHP in Munnar launch project to prevent human-wildlife conflicts, involving public participation and rapid response teams.

The Forest department has started an awareness project jointly with Kanan Devan Hills Plantation (KDHP) in Munnar to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts under the Munnar Forest Division.

Officials said the Munnar Forest Division has seen the presence of a significant number of wild elephants on the KDHP estates, with plantation workers or their relatives being the primary victims of any wild animal attacks.“Public participation is essential to prevent such casualties,” said Munnar range officer Biju S.

“The department has directed the workers not to move close to or provoke the animal in case they notice the presence of wild elephants in the plantation or road. The worker is asked to immediately report the presence of the animal to their field officer, who will then notify the estate manager. The manager will then post the alert to the Forest department officials’ WhatsApp group. Upon receiving alerts, Rapid Response Team (RRT) members will rush to the location and chase the animal back to the forest,” said the official.

Also, the department has asked the estate management officials to verify the presence of wild animals in plantations before allowing workers to enter. “The department will send alerts every morning at 7.30 a.m. regarding the presence of wild elephants in various sections of the forest division,” Mr. Biju.

The project is initially launched at the Letchmi Division under the KDHP. Munnar Assistant Conservator of Forests Job J. Neriamparampil inaugurated the awareness camp. KDHP divisional manager Pramod Krishnan presided. The Forest department officials also raised awareness against the illegal snaring of small animals.

All estate divisions under the KDHP plantations will participate in the awareness project, according to officials.

According to the department officials, as of now, 33 wild elephants are camping in human settlements under the Munnar forest division.