Wed Feb 26 10:07:27 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Archbishop Condemns Lack of Tribal Protection Amidst Rising Human-Wildlife Conflict
**Kannur, Kerala – February 26, 2025** – Thalassery Archbishop Joseph Pamplany has sharply criticized the existing forest and wildlife laws in Kerala, claiming they prioritize the interests of wild animals over the lives and livelihoods of tribal and farming communities in the high-range areas. His remarks follow the recent deaths of a tribal couple, Velli (80) and Leela (75), who were killed by a wild elephant while collecting cashew nuts near Aralam farm in Kannur district. This incident brings the total number of human lives lost to elephant attacks in the area to approximately 16.
Archbishop Pamplany alleges that despite repeated pleas highlighting the plight of these communities, neither the state nor central government has taken sufficient action to protect them. He accuses the government of prioritizing carbon funds from large industries, leading to deliberate attempts to designate these areas as forest regions and displace the tribal and farming populations.
“It is a sad truth that tribals and farmers in the high ranges have no rights under the wildlife laws,” the Archbishop stated. He questioned whether it’s surprising that people feel the government treats them as “prey and fodder” for wild animals, asserting that both the government and wild animals hold the same position regarding the high-range inhabitants.
The tragic deaths have prompted Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to convene a high-level meeting on February 27th to address the escalating human-wildlife conflict. The government has announced a compensation of ₹20 lakh for the family of the deceased couple. However, the Archbishop’s statement underscores the deeper concerns about inadequate protection and displacement of vulnerable communities in the face of increasing wildlife attacks.
First Piper 