Human-elephant conflict in Kerala

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Human-elephant conflict (HEC) [1] [2] is a major threat to both species in some rural forest areas of Kerala, India. Every year, about 50 elephants and 50 people are killed. Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department estimates that there are 6,000 elephants in the state. [3] Official records show that 50 people die and 1,000 are injured in elephant attacks in Kerala every year. Kerala has the highest number of elephant attacks of any country in Asia. [4] According to the 1993 elephant census, Kerala had 4,286 wild elephants. That number increased to 5,706 in the 2017 census. [5] [6] [7]

Contents

Background

Kerala has a vast forest area of 11,309 km2 (4,366 sq mi), which covers more than 29.1% of the total geographical area of the state. [8] Human–wildlife conflict is common on the fringes of these forests. Due to the significant increase in population and increasing anthropogenic pressure on the forest areas, human-wildlife interaction and the resulting conflict have increased sharply in recent times. The conflicts have resulted in damage to crops, houses and property, cattle being carried away, injuries to humans and deaths. More than 50 wild elephant attacks were reported in the state in the financial year 2024–25, and the number of deaths due to wild elephant attacks in the state has increased. [9] [10]

Major incidents in Kerala in 2025

Protests

Locals and various political [22] and cultural organizations are continuing their protests against the lack of a solution to the elephant attacks in Kerala near areas where elephant attacks have happened. [23] [24] [25]

On 24 February 2025, protesters and villagers in Aralam blocked an ambulance carrying the bodies of a couple killed in a wild elephant attack. The protesters refused to let the ambulance through until Kerala Forest Minister A. K. Saseendran arrived. [26]

Elephants in Kerala

Along with a large population of wild elephants, Kerala has more than seven hundred captive elephants. Most of them are owned by temples and individuals. Elephants were owned and maintained largely for their use in festivals, but some elephants were also used for timber logging

See also

References

  1. "Human-Elephant Conflict in Kerala, India: a Rapid Appraisal Using Compensation Records | Request PDF".
  2. "(PDF) Human Wildlife Conflict: A Case Study in Kerala".
  3. "Public Policy and Human-Animal Conflicts: Elephant Deaths in Kerala". ras.org.in. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  4. Viswanathan, Manoj (July 22, 2023). "In 6 years, Kerala 'lost' 58% of its wild elephants". The New Indian Express.
  5. "ആനകളുടെ എണ്ണം കേരളത്തില്‍ വര്‍ധിക്കുന്നുവെന്ന് ആന സെന്‍സസ്". www.mediaoneonline.com. June 7, 2020.
  6. Bureau, The Hindu (July 16, 2024). "Elephant population in Kerala declines". The Hindu via www.thehindu.com.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  7. "Human-elephant conflicts led to 126 deaths in Kerala in last 6 years, reveals report". English.Mathrubhumi. September 1, 2021.
  8. "Resources: Forest – Status of Environment related issues: Kerala ENVIS Centre, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India". www.kerenvis.nic.in. Archived from the original on 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  9. "Most wild elephant attack deaths inside reserve forest areas, says Forest dept. data; farmers groups oppose claim". The Hindu Bureau. January 7, 2025 via www.thehindu.com.
  10. Shankar, Priyanka (July 14, 2023). "Kerala needs long-term plans, not quick fixes, for human-elephant conflict". Mongabay-India.
  11. "Elephant Ragdolls Man At Kerala Festival In Horrifying Video". www.ndtv.com.
  12. Service, Express News (January 16, 2025). "Wild elephant tramples woman to death in Kerala's Malappuram, second this month". The New Indian Express.
  13. Daily, Keralakaumudi. "Youth killed in wild elephant attack in Wayanad on second consecutive day". Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  14. Bharat, E. T. V. (February 12, 2025). "Tribal Youth Killed In Wild Elephant Attack In Wayanad, Fourth Case In 72 Hours". ETV Bharat News.
  15. "Man dies in suspected wild elephant attack in Kerala's Wayanad". Deccan Herald.
  16. "60-Year-Old Man Killed in Wild Elephant Attack in Kerala". www.deccanchronicle.com. February 6, 2025.
  17. Bureau, The Hindu (February 13, 2025). "Three killed in Kerala as two elephants run amok during temple festival at Koyilandy" via www.thehindu.com.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  18. "India: Elderly couple trampled to death by wild elephant in Kerala". Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema. February 24, 2025.
  19. Bureau, The Hindu (February 23, 2025). "Elderly couple killed in wild elephant attack at Aralam farm" via www.thehindu.com.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  20. "Elderly couple killed in wild elephant attack in Kerala's Kannur". Deccan Herald.
  21. "Elephant tramples couple to death in state-owned farm in Kerala's Kannur". India Today. February 24, 2025.
  22. "Cong holds protests in front of forest office". October 11, 2024 via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
  23. "Elephant attack deaths in Kerala's Aralam sparks protest as locals demand action". Deccan Herald.
  24. Naha, Abdul Latheef (January 23, 2025). "Elephant falls into well in Kerala; protest delays rescue efforts" via www.thehindu.com.
  25. "Second elephant attack death in Wayanad in two days sparks outrage in Kerala". India Today. February 12, 2025.
  26. "Aralam wild elephant attack: Protesters block ambulance carrying bodies". Aralam wild elephant attack: Protesters block ambulance carrying bodies.