Wayanad to get wildlife monitoring command centre

The Kerala Forest Department is moving to set up a dedicated command centre in Wayanad district to monitor wildlife movements in real time and mitigate escalating human-animal conflicts in the region. Forest Minister Shibu Baby John announced the initiative, emphasizing its role in protecting both residents and animals by enabling rapid response to incidents involving wild animals entering human habitations.

The command centre will leverage technology and ground intelligence to track animal movements across forest boundaries, allowing forest officials to take preventive measures before dangerous situations develop. Wayanad, home to significant elephant populations and other wildlife, has witnessed recurring incidents of animals straying into villages and agricultural areas, resulting in property damage and occasional casualties.

The monitoring facility represents a shift toward proactive wildlife management in the district, moving beyond reactive responses to incidents. By providing authorities with advance warning of animal movements, the centre aims to facilitate safer corridors for wildlife while reducing threats to residents in vulnerable areas.

The forest department's initiative comes amid growing pressure to address the sharp rise in human-wildlife conflict incidents across Kerala's forested regions. Wildlife experts have long advocated for technology-enabled monitoring systems as a means to reduce the frequency and severity of such encounters while promoting coexistence between human settlements and forest habitats.