Wayanad (Kerala) [India], February 22: Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi has written a letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, highlighting the ongoing delays in compensating the families of victims affected by human-wildlife conflicts in the region. The letter draws attention to the distress caused by the attacks and seeks urgent action to alleviate the situation
In her letter, Gandhi expressed grave concern over the growing number of fatalities caused by wild animal attacks in Wayanad. She noted that seven people lost their lives between December 27, 2024, and February 12, 2025, due to such incidents. The Congress leader further shared that the affected families are living in constant fear and suffering.
During her recent visits to the area, Priyanka Gandhi met with the families of the victims and discussed the issue with local authorities. She acknowledged the efforts of the authorities in trying to protect human lives and uphold forest and wildlife sanctuary laws. However, Gandhi pointed out that local administrations lack the necessary funds to implement adequate protective measures for human settlements near forest areas.
“The funds required for the protection of human habitations near forest zones are unavailable to the local administration,” she said in the letter. Gandhi explained that delays in state allocations, along with the central government’s failure to release matching funds, exacerbate the situation. This leaves local authorities in a dire predicament, unable to address the mounting panic and damage caused by the attacks.
Gandhi further highlighted that the district authorities in Wayanad have raised several critical needs, including the acquisition of thermal drones, camera traps, live CCTV cameras, and radio collars to monitor animal movements. The number of Rapid Response Team (RRT) vehicles must also be increased, and the facilities at the Animal Hospice Centre in Sulthan Bathery require urgent upgrades due to overcrowding. Furthermore, funds are needed to build and maintain physical barriers such as elephant-proof trenches, walls, and solar fences.
In the letter, she also detailed her findings after meeting the families of the victims, noting an alarming case involving Sarojini, a woman trampled to death by a wild elephant. The tribal habitation she lived in was supposedly protected by an elephant-proof trench, but upon inspection, Gandhi found it to be poorly maintained and ineffective. She emphasized that the forest department is now seeking funds to build a more robust elephant-proof wall and called for expedited approval of this proposal.
Earlier this year, on January 28, Priyanka Gandhi visited the home of a woman killed by a tiger in Pancharakolli and stressed the need for collective efforts to ensure the safety of the people in the region. She vowed to raise the issue in Parliament to secure further support.
“We need to work together to provide safety and a reasonable sense of confidence among the people here, as these incidents are recurring. This is not just about Radha’s case; there have been other casualties in the last month. We must find a reasonable solution that protects human lives,” she said while speaking to the media.