Thiruvananthapuram, June 5 (IANS) Kerala Forest Minister Shibu Baby John has said that the Forest Department will take responsibility for the lives and safety of people living in forest areas, and an insurance scheme will be introduced in hilly regions in association with local panchayats.

“The department will be responsible for providing compensation,” the minister said.

He added that discussions with public sector insurance companies are progressing for implementing the scheme.

The minister said the Forest Department would move forward by taking farmers into confidence and ensuring cooperation between forest officials and local communities.

The initiatives are part of the state government’s 100-day programme.

As part of the programme, the department plans to extend solar fencing across Kerala from the present 2,000 km to 2,500 km initially and later to 3,000 km.

The move is aimed at reducing human-animal conflicts, particularly in forest fringe areas.

Engineer-turned-politician John also said the department would conduct a detailed study on the increasing tiger population in Wayanad.

He pointed out that a tiger requires around 20 square kilometres of habitat, whereas Wayanad currently has only around four square kilometres available per tiger, leading to frequent tiger-related incidents in the district.

The minister said the number of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) should be increased, as the present strength is inadequate to effectively respond to wildlife emergencies.

He also announced that the government would set up a state-level consultative committee to address human-wildlife conflict issues.

Action plans will be prepared for the restoration of grasslands and the removal of invasive plant species.

With increasing incidents of wild boar attacks, the department will conduct a special drive on June 15.

A panchayat-wise census of wild boars will also be carried out, and a list of empanelled shooters will be prepared at the local level to deal with the threat.

The Forest Department’s focus would be on balancing wildlife conservation with the concerns of farmers and people living near forests, said John, the son of veteran former state minister Baby John, a seasoned trade union leader and a tall leader in the RSP.

This is his second outing as a state minister.

–IANS

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