Priyanka Gandhi assures support to Wayanad families affected by human-wildlife conflict

Congress leader and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday visited Wayanad district, where she met with families affected by the rising human-wildlife conflict in the region. 

Accompanied by local Congress leaders, Ms. Gandhi interacted with the affected families and assured them that the party would push for concrete measures to resolve the crisis.

Highlighting the importance of balancing ecological protection with human needs, Ms. Gandhi said, “It is crucial that people have access to medical facilities and other emergency services in villages. She said human-wildlife conflict was very high, and people were suffering, which should be addressed with priority. 

“I wanted to see for myself the progress of the road, the current condition, and the issues that have been plaguing the area,” Ms. Gandhi said. She also met with individuals who had been working on various projects for many years, including Shakuntala, a teacher who has been in search of alternate land to give up the property near forest area.

Ms. Gandhi was informed that a survey had already been conducted and the authorities were set to approach the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for approval. “I have asked them to keep me updated on the progress, and I will see how I can help,” she said.

Emphasising the need for a balanced approach on development, she said, the basic fact was that people were genuinely suffering, and there was a need for ecological and environmental protection, which could be addressed only through collaborative efforts.

Ms. Gandhi also acknowledged the delay in securing permissions for various projects, which has left people waiting for years for basic infrastructure projects like roads. “I understand that there is a delay in the information flow, and people are waiting for permission. It takes many years for the road to come,” she said, assuring that the Congress party would work towards finding a solution to the issue.