'Attack place not a hotspot zone': Minister reacts to man's fatal death by wild boar

Panur (Kannur): Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran has commented on the incident where a farmer was mauled to death by a wild boar. The minister clarified that the attack did not occur in a known problem area and that the incident took place in a region where wildlife disturbances are not typically reported.

He added that the area is not considered a hotspot by the forest department and a report has been requested from the Northern Region Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF).

He added that authorities would examine whether lapses occurred on the part of the Forest and Panchayat officials.

"The Panchayats have already been authorised to cull wild boars. If they failed to act, the reasons for this inaction will be investigated," he said.

Kathirur police said that a preliminary inquiry is underway, and an FIR is yet to be registered in the case. 

Sreedharan (70), a resident of Panur Vallai, Kannur, lost his life on Sunday after being attacked by a wild boar while he was watering his farm in the morning. Despite being rushed to the hospital with severe injuries all over his body, Sreedharan could not be saved. His body was later shifted to Thalassery Indira Gandhi Hospital.

This marks the 15th death from animal attacks in Kerala in the past 60 days.

Sreedharan's death follows a growing concern in Panur, a densely populated area, where wild boars have been reported to destroy crops. The region, home to both industrial establishments and farmland, has seen increasing complaints from locals about the damage caused by these wild animals.