Wildlife strikes back: Who's trespassing - animals or humans?
# Ajayan | The recent surge in fatalities resulting from wild animal attacks raises critical questions regarding the underlying causes and accountability. Is the Forest Department culpable for lapses in precautionary measures, or is the issue more complex? Does not the Kerala Forest Minister’s assertion that these tragic incidents predominantly occurred within forested areas warrant reflection and underscores the fundamental reality that forests are the natural domain of wildlife? Moreover, how justified is the growing public outcry, often bolstered by political and religious influences, advocating for greater human protection within these ecologically sensitive zones?
At its very core, this crisis is a stark manifestation of humanity’s relentless assault on nature, a collision between reckless expansion and ecological survival. With climate change no longer a distant spectre but an undeniable reality, the once-thriving forests have been mercilessly carved up, making way for sprawling plantations several of which now stand abandoned. What remains is a patchwork of fragmented landscapes, severing vital wildlife corridors and forcing nature’s inhabitants into a desperate struggle for survival. The delicate equilibrium between human ambition and conservation has been irreparably shaken, leaving behind a haunting question as to who truly belongs where.
The disruption of elephant corridors, whether through deliberate obstruction or gradual encroachment, has fragmented vital migratory paths, intensifying human-wildlife conflicts. The recent tragic death of a young man along the New Amarambalam-Wayanad elephant corridor starkly highlights the consequences of restricting the free movement of wildlife. As human settlements and infrastructure steadily carve through once-unbroken wilderness, the delicate equilibrium that once allowed coexistence between man and beast is disrupted.
Two remarkable conservation initiatives, one in Karnataka and the other in Kerala, stand as shining examples of how human intervention, when aligned with ecological wisdom, can restore balance to disrupted landscapes. In Kerala, the relocation of people from four villages in a critical elephant corridor in Wayanad ensured the land was secured and seamlessly integrated into the forest ecosystem. The Tirunelli-Kurakote (Brahmagiri-Tirunelli) elephant corridor, linking the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary across Kerala and Karnataka, now thrives as a verdant haven, enabling unrestricted wildlife movement.
The mastermind behind this transformative effort, wildlife biologist Sabu Jihas, spearheaded the project for the Wildlife Trust of India, emphasizing that safeguarding forests for wildlife is not a choice but a necessity. His conservation footprint extends beyond Kerala. His pioneering efforts on the Edayarhalli elephant corridor in Karnataka have been equally impactful. Connecting the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary with MM Hills, this project saw the relocation of 14 families from Yadiyala village, spanning 33 acres, between 2003 and 2004.
Today, the once-settled land has seamlessly merged into the BRT sanctuary, flourishing as a dense forest. Environmentalist John Peter, leader of People for Forest and Wildlife Conservation India (PFWCI), observes that the transformation has not only rejuvenated the habitat but has also reinstated an uninterrupted passage for wildlife, reaffirming the delicate but essential coexistence of nature and conservation-driven human effort.
Unfortunately, a proposed relocation project by the forest department at Irulakunnu years ago, aimed at moving residents from CRCkunnu in the North Wayanad range, failed to take off despite financial backing under Project Elephant.
Social activist PT John of Wayanad lays the blame for these tragedies squarely on the forest department, arguing that its officials need a fundamental shift in mindset. He asserts that the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, must be implemented in both letter and spirit. The Act acknowledges the rights of indigenous communities over forest resources, yet, ironically, those who have nurtured these lands for generations remain deprived of their rightful ownership. John contends that these communities are the true custodians of the forest, their deep-rooted connection making them far better conservationists than distant policymakers and bureaucrats.
He points out that tourism has transformed into a lucrative industry, thriving under government sanction simply because it rakes in revenue. The irony, however, is unmistakable; the very forest department entrusted with conservation is actively promoting eco-tourism, thereby accelerating human intrusion into wildlife habitats, becoming complicit in their disruption.
A senior forest official, closely involved in the latest 10-point action plan to address the crisis, candidly acknowledged to Metro Vaartha that the root cause of these tragedies lies in the severe disruption of wildlife movement. Roads slicing through forests in the name of "development" have effectively turned once-pristine habitats into fragmented landscapes teeming with human activity.
A striking example, he points out, is the network of massive canals crisscrossing forest lands, complete with bridges facilitating human movement. This unchecked intrusion has dramatically altered animal behaviour. Elephants, which traditionally spent over 16 hours a day grazing deep in the forests, now find easy access to farmlands, where nutrient-rich crops offer a far more tempting alternative to their natural diet.
Even as the government boasts of an expanding green cover, whether through rubber plantations or rambutan orchards, the undeniable truth remains: many of these estates came at the cost of pristine forests. Now, with profitability plummeting, numerous plantations lie abandoned, turning into dense wildlife hotspots where human entry is fraught with danger. The forest official revealed that notices were being issued to several such estates, emphasizing the urgent need to reclaim and restore them as forest land. He also acknowledges that true conservation cannot happen in isolation. He asserted that there was the need to work alongside indigenous communities as their deep-rooted traditional knowledge holds the key to sustainable preservation.
With a government hell-bent on ignoring the hard lessons of the Wayanad landslide while insisting on a tunnel project that could further destabilize the region, and political and religious groups demanding the slaughter of wildlife for their convenience and climate change wreaking havoc, the real question isn’t how conservation can move forward, but how long nature can endure this relentless human insanity. There needs to be an answer to whether it is the animals following their instincts or humans who have systematically encroached upon forests are responsible for these tragedies.