Kerala, Karnataka sign inter-state agreement to curb human-wildlife conflict

Wayanad: The forest departments of Kerala and Karnataka on Sunday signed an interstate agreement to curb human-wildlife conflict. Both states have mutually agreed to cooperate to mitigate issues related to wild animal menace. 

The agreement majorly deals with ascertaining reasons for human-wildlife conflicts,  marking human-wildlife conflict zones, avoiding delays in interventions, speeding up information sharing, and sharing of resources and services. 

The agreement was signed during the human-wildlife conflict meeting held at Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Kerala Forest Minister AK Saseendran, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, and senior forest officials from both states and Tamil Nadu attended the meeting.

The meeting also constituted a coordination committee to mitigate the issue. It has nodal officers, assistant nodal officers, and representatives from three border-sharing states—Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Apart from this, a working group will be formed. 

During the meeting, Kerala batted for the updation of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, of 1972. This was supported by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu delegations.