Alappuzha: Even as the population of wild elephants in the country rose by 17.2 per cent, Kerala recorded a striking rise of 63 per cent in the past 25 years. A joint survey was conducted in the wake of a steep rise in the wild elephant attacks. The statistics are from between 1993 and 2017 and handed over to the representatives, including MPs.

The survey was conducted jointly by the Centre for Consumer Education (CCE), Save Western Ghats People Foundation (SWGPF) and Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh (RKMS). The report states that 90 per cent of the attacks took place outside forests and holds the population growth as the cause of frequent raiding by the wild jumbos.

The forest area in Kerala is 29.11 per cent of its total area. With the increase in the rise of population, the demand for water and food increased as a result, prompting the elephants to invade human settlements. As per the report, there are 1004 human-wildlife conflict centres in the State. However, there are only 124 forest stations.

The movement limit of one elephant is 90-800 square kilometres. However, it is not available for elephants in Kerala. 

Meanwhile, Dr Manuel, a faculty at Thamarassery Institute of Food and Agricultural Ethics, said along with the ‘conservation refugees’, who are forced to leave their land in the name of environment conservation, soon, another term ‘predation refugees’, who have to leave their homeland due to wildlife attacks, will also be in use. 

Experts sought a detailed study on how many wild animals could be accommodated in a habitat. They suggest shifting excess animals to another habitat. Installation of solar fencing and constructing gorges on the forest borders are also suggested. 

Rise in elephant population in 25 years

Kerala -63 %
Tamil Nadu-20 %
Karnataka-10 %
Assam- 3.5%

Movement limits per elephant in square km 
 
Kerala- 1.70 
Jharkhand- 33.80 
Odisha-22.40
Tamil Nadu-6.35
Karnataka- 3.73
Assam-3.50