Kerala High Court Directs Emergency Electric Fencing At Tribal School Amid Rising Human–Wildlife Conflict

The Court had earlier expressed concern over the relocation of Model Tribal Residential School, Thirunelli to premises within the Tribal Resettlement and Development Area (TRDA) near Aralam Farm, which is prone to wild elephant intrusion.

The division bench comprising Dr. Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Jobin Sebastian were hearing a petition concerning the human-wildlife conflict in Wayanad and Kannur districts.

During the hearing, the Court reviewed a detailed affidavit filed by the Director of the Scheduled Tribes Development Department explaining the reasons for the relocation of 257 students, including 129 girls, from the Thirunnelli Model Residential School in Wayanad to the Aralam MRS.

According to the affidavit, the relocation was unavoidable after the Thirunnelli school building was declared structurally unsafe. The District Collector, Wayanad, recommended immediate evacuation due to imminent risks to the students. With no other adequate facility in the region capable of housing the full student strength and 47 teachers, Aralam MRS was identified as the only viable option.

The affidavit stated that Aralam MRS had sufficient classrooms, dormitories, sanitation and security. It was also submitted that an amount of Rs. 40,37,758 was sanctioned for preparatory work at Aralam. It was further submitted in the affidavit that the compound wall around the school was revamped to avoid the possibility of incursion by wild elephants and other wild animals into the school compound to ensure protection of students and staff. Other safety measures which were undertaken in the Aralam Farm were also informed, including high-mast lights, CCTV cameras, additional security personnel, and imposition of curfew hours for students. It was also submitted that a Rapid Response Team of the Forest Department is functioning in the proximity of the Farm.

After interacting via video conference with the office of the District Collector, Kannur, and officers of the Forest Department, the Bench emphasized that the current situation demanded immediate protective steps:

“There is an urgent need for fortifying the wall area around the school in question. Towards this end, electric fencing could be put in place around the school so as to safeguard the interests of the children and teachers, who have been translocated therein.” the Court observed.

The Court directed the Director of the Scheduled Tribes Development Department to coordinate with the District Collector, Kannur who also heads the District Disaster Management Authority, to install a solar electric fence within one week. The progress is to be reported to the Court on the next date of hearing.

The petitioner, who was present in person, brought to the Court's attention the deteriorating condition of fences across a 28.1-km stretch in Vadakkanad, Wayanad, where elephant incursions have been relentless. The petitioner presented a video before the Court which showed the extent of damages to the agricultural land due to the incursions.

The Wildlife Warden of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, who participated via video conference, assured the Court that new fences capable of detecting instances of shortening would be installed by December 15, 2025. It was stated that the new fences would reduce the incursions of elephants into the said area.

The Warden has been directed to file a status report by December 15.

Ajith K Raman, DFO, Deputy Collector, Kannur, District Collector Wayanad, DFO NOrth Wayanad, were also present online during the proceedings.

The matter is posted on 10 December for further consideration.

Case Title : Baiju Paul Mathews v State of Kerala and connected case

Case No : WP(C) 7858/ 2025 and connected case

Party in person.

Counsel for Respondents - T R Harikumar, Arjun Raghavan, Nirmal S, V Harish, Nagaraj Naryanan (Spl. Government Pleader (Forest))