Kottayam

Ahead of the April 9 Assembly elections, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday reached out to communities living in high-range areas, highlighting his government’s efforts to protect their livelihoods while accusing the Centre of creating legal constraints.

Speaking at a press conference in Kanjirappally, Vijayan said the rising instances of human-wildlife conflict in hilly regions have become a major concern, directly affecting residents’ safety and income.

He noted that although the state has been actively addressing the issue, provisions under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 restrict Kerala’s ability to take independent action. He added that repeated requests to declare wild boars as vermin have not been approved by the Centre.

Vijayan also criticised both the Congress and the BJP, alleging that the former introduced the law while the latter has failed to amend it to meet current needs.

Despite these challenges, he said the state has taken steps within its powers. The Kerala Assembly, he pointed out, passed amendments to wildlife and forest laws to authorise the Chief Wildlife Warden to act against animals posing a threat to human life, though these proposals are still awaiting central clearance.

Highlighting relief measures, the chief minister said compensation for families of victims killed in wildlife attacks has been raised from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 14 lakh. Financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh is also being provided in cases involving deaths caused by snakes, bee attacks, and similar incidents. Support has also been extended to those suffering serious injuries or long-term disabilities due to such conflicts.

On the buffer zone issue, Vijayan said the state successfully defended the interests of residents by securing a favourable ruling from the Supreme Court of India, which excluded inhabited areas from mandatory buffer zones around protected forests.

He added that the government’s approach focuses on balancing development with social justice, including support for public sector units and targeted measures for high-range populations.

Addressing concerns in the rubber sector, Vijayan attributed farmers’ distress to national trade policies. He referred to the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, saying it opened the market to imports and adversely affected Kerala’s rubber growers.

In response, the state government increased the support price of rubber from Rs 180 to Rs 200 per kg, making Kerala the only state offering such direct price support, he said.

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Vijayan also announced the establishment of Kerala Rubber Limited at Velloor with an investment of Rs 1,050 crore to create a value-added rubber products hub spread over 164 acres. Additionally, a dedicated directorate for the plantation sector has been set up as part of broader reforms.