Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: Wildlife incursion, a vote-catcher issue in many constituencies

Loss of life, crop raids and destruction of agricultural lands due to human-wildlife conflicts feature prominently in election propaganda in at least a quarter of the constituencies in Kerala that will go to polls next month. In Kozhikode, farmers even filed nomination against State Forest Minister AK Saseendran to highlight their concerns.

This is the central region of the state, spread across Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts, bearing the brunt of the conflict. It is estimated that the issue will be discussed in at least 20 constituencies in the district, especially five constituencies in Idukki. Social activists and farmers also tag at least five constituencies of Thrissur, three each of Kozhikode and Wayanad and two constituencies from Kannur districts in northern Kerala as the Assembly constituencies most affected by man-animal conflict.

Various splinter factions of the Kerala Congress, which have been vocal about the plight of farmers, have staged protests to highlight the challenges faced by local communities. The Catholic Church is also actively involved in the issue and often collaborates with Kerala Congress parties to raise public interest. While Jose K. Mani, president of the LDF-aligned Kerala Congress (M), had raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha, UDF component Kerala Congress MP Francis K. George had flagged the issue in the Lok Sabha, keeping in mind the voters’ interests involved.

Opinions on the draft bill

The KC(M) is now positioning the LDF government’s Draft Wildlife Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill, which allows the killing of wild animals that enter and cause damage to residential areas, as a major success. But the rival faction in the Kerala Congress argues that existing laws already give the State the power to cull dangerous animals and accuses the government of using the new bill to mislead communities regularly affected by wildlife.

Both the Congress and the CPI(M) have made wildlife attacks a major issue in local debates, especially in constituencies like Poonjar, Pala and Kanjirappally. It has also emerged as an important election issue in Devikulam, Peerumade, Udumbanchola, Idukki and Thodupuzha constituencies. As recently as March 24, Raja, a resident of Kallar Factory section in Munnar, died in a wild elephant attack.

In Devikulam constituency, wild elephant is the chief villain. Fangs straying onto roads and human settlements pose a major threat to both people and vehicles. It is the wild gaur that often disrupts the lives of residents in Marayur and Kanthalloor districts. Similar problems are also being experienced in the Kottayam-Idukki border areas of Peerumade constituency, where elephant attacks have caused significant crop destruction and loss of life. Voters are seeking views from candidates in all constituencies on conflict reduction plans.

Farming is unsustainable

Crop raids by elephants, wild boars, monkeys and giant squirrels have made agriculture increasingly unviable in areas from Elanad and Erumapetty to Thrissur’s Peechi and Palappetty districts. The resulting economic crisis forced farmers to support only those who offered concrete solutions to the crisis. “Monkeys have made our lives miserable. We cannot even cook food in peace,” said TA Rajesh, a farmer from Elanad. Sopna Kallingal, an award-winning farmer from Pattikkad, says a large amount of farm produce is being eaten by wild animals.

In Kozhikode, angry farmers fielded their representative from Elathur constituency, Sumin S. Nedungadan, to take on Mr. Saseendran. Various farmer groups from Kozhikode and Wayanad districts have decided to campaign for their candidates in the constituency. “The decision to field the candidate is part of the farmers’ protest,” Mr. Nedungadan said.

Farmers also complain about delayed compensation payments and an incomplete voluntary resettlement scheme for landowners living on forest edges. The issue could affect voter response in two constituencies of Kannur, especially Peravur, which covers high-impact areas of Aralam, Kelakam, Kanichar and Ayyankunnu districts.

LDF candidate KK Shailaja claimed that the government has initiated several mitigation measures, including provision of food and water for animals and protective measures such as solar fencing, digging of ditches and deployment of rapid response teams to support residents. MLA and UDF candidate Sunny Joseph said the government has not taken action to protect the interests of farmers. He said the UDF promised time-bound and improved compensation, scientific wildlife management programs and stronger response systems that linked the issue to the broader rural distress.

It was published – 27 March 2026 08:45 IST