Kerala High Court Seeks Detailed Action Plan From State Over Elephant Attacks In Aralam Farm

The Kerala High Court, on Thursday (13th February), asked the State Government if any plan of action had been formulated to combat the repeated elephant encroachments and attacks happening on Aralam farm in Kannur. The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice S. Manu asked the State to submit details on any plan of action formulated, the short-term and long-term plan and the timeline within which it proposes to complete each stages in the plan. The Court orally emphasized the need to have coordination in implementing the steps as it will include personnel from various departments. The Court asked the State to give information on the coordination committee and the in charge of the committee. The Court also asked the State if there was any feedback mechanism whereby the residents in the area can report incidents of elephant attack and give suggestions on the step to be taken.The Court was hearing a PIL filed seeking steps against the elephant encroachment in the Aralam farm. Aralam farm is a tribal rehabilitation facility on the fringe of Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary. Reportedly, there has been frequent human- wildlife conflicts in the area and more than 20 deaths since 2014.The present petition was filed by Baiju Paul Mathews seeking reliefs such as the restoration and maintenance of electric fencing, deployment of the watchers/ rapid response squad until a permanent boundary wall is built, relocation of most vulnerable families and steps to drive away elephants from human settlement area.The petitioner on Thursday told the Court that the Government needs to immediately plan what needs to be done and fix a timeline on finishing the short-term and long-term plan. Further, there should be a mechanism to get feedback on the effectiveness of the plan and to report any untoward incident. He also emphasized that the government should fix a co-ordinator who will be responsible for overseeing everything.The Court asked the Government pleader to get the state's response. The case is next posted on 18th MarchCase Title: Baiju Paul Mathews v State of Kerala and OthersCase No: WP(C) 7858 of 2025

Kerala High Court Seeks Detailed Action Plan From State Over Elephant Attacks In Aralam Farm

Manju Elsa Isac

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