CPI Farmers’ Forum Proposes Solutions for Managing Excess Wildlife

Quick Summary:

• The All india Kisan Sabha (AIKS), Kerala, affiliated with the Communist Party of India (CPI), has criticized the Forest department’s draft policy on human-wildlife conflict.
• AIKS alleges that farmers are being unfairly blamed for rising wild animal attacks in Kerala.
• Mathew Varghese, AIKS State vice-president, sent a letter to Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran highlighting forest management issues:

– Exotic species like teak, eucalyptus, and wattle planted by the Forest department are blamed for reducing food and water resources available to wild animals within forests.- This has allegedly caused an increase in wild elephants entering human habitations.
– He called for urgent measures such as killing or selling excess wild animals or relocating them from forest areas.

• Varghese urged the removal of eucalyptus trees from four lakh acres of land but criticized delays in implementing these actions-only 1,500 acres cleared so far-and warned full action could take decades.
• Demands were made for government intervention to:

– Provide ₹50 lakh compensation and a job for families affected by fatal wildlife attacks.
– Fund reforestation efforts by cutting and selling old trees like sandalwood.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The main contention raised by AIKS underscores concerns about human-wildlife conflicts fueled by extensive changes in forest ecosystems caused by planting non-native species. their criticism raises broader environmental implications regarding sustainable forestry practices. Exotic plantations like eucalyptus may interfere with native ecosystems crucial to maintaining wildlife balance-a point directly connected to reported elephant incursions into farmlands.

Translocation or population control measures advocated by AIKS veer into controversial territory due to ethical concerns surrounding wildlife conservation policies. Compensation demands indicate economic stress faced by farmers dealing with frequent losses due to animal encounters. This issue spotlights tensions between conservation imperatives and community safety/economics.Efforts towards removing invasive exotic tree varieties seem necessary but require formidable administrative resolve given delays noted hear (e.g., three-decade timeline). Meanwhile, political consensus on balancing ecological integrity against livelihood safety will be vital as policymakers navigate this complex issue impacting rural communities deeply reliant on agricultural stability.

Read more: Published September 03, 2025