Kerala Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran has criticised the Centre for ignoring the human-wildlife conflict faced by Kerala in the Union Budget.
Speaking at the Assembly during Question Hour on Monday (February 2, 2026), Mr. Saseendran added that the Budget is reflective of the Union government’s vindictive and total neglectful attitude towards the State. The State’s needs, particularly in the forest and wildlife conservation sector, have been ignored even as incidents of human-wildlife conflicts continue to threaten farmers’ lives and livelihoods.
The State Budget, on the other hand, has allocated an additional ₹29 crore specifically to mitigate the crisis. The Forest department has already begun to formulate and implement various projects using the additional funds, Mr. Saseendran said.
Responding to a question by Congress legislator A.P. Anil Kumar, who called for shifting captured animals to zoos, the Minister acknowledged that the long-standing practice had been to release such animals back into deep forest areas, despite the high likelihood of their return. However, the government has begun to shift such animals, captured after venturing into human inhabited areas, to the newly established Zoological Park in Thrissur.
He also announced plans to establish a dedicated facility for the protection and treatment of captured wild animals. Efforts were under way to set up such a centre at Perambra in Kozhikode.
Published – February 02, 2026 06:46 pm IST
