Kerala Budget 2026: ₹192 crore allocated to reduce human-wildlife conflict

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Budget 2026-27 has earmarked ₹192.20 crore for measures aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict, a growing concern in the state's hilly and forest-fringe regions.

Presenting his first Budget in the Assembly, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said farmers and residents living near forests continue to face serious threats from wild animal attacks. He noted that the government would adopt scientific and technology-driven approaches to address the issue.

"Farmers and other residents in the hilly regions of the state are under constant threat from wild animal attacks. A scientific census of tigers and leopards in Kerala will be conducted and legally permissible measures will be taken for their relocation. The possibilities offered by modern technology will be utilised to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. An amount of Rs 192.20 crore is allocated for this purpose," he said.

The Chief Minister also announced the deployment of additional Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) in areas that frequently experience wildlife-related incidents.

Human-wildlife conflict has emerged as one of Kerala's most pressing challenges in recent years. Six people have lost their lives in wild animal attacks across different parts of the state this month alone.

Overall, the government has allocated ₹243.43 crore for forest and wildlife protection activities in the Budget, while ₹22.02 crore has been set aside for environmental conservation programmes.

Satheesan further announced that the government would adopt a "Zero Tolerance" policy towards air, water, land, and light pollution.

"Kerala will be made a completely carbon-neutral state by 2050. Agricultural practices that increase soil carbon and carbon sequestration will be promoted, and a state-level mechanism will be established to enable farmers to claim carbon credits and secure direct financial benefits," he said.

With PTI inputs