Kerala Assembly polls: Has LDF’s manifesto revision on human-animal conflict come too late?

Just three days to go to the polls, the LDF took an unusual measure to correct its manifesto. The corrections were made to its promises related to forest protection and issues concerning human-wildlife conflict.

The original wording in the manifesto had promised “complete protection of forests”. This has been changed to “comprehensive protection”. The manifesto, which originally said, “All remaining forests will be fully protected. An ecosystem-based conservation approach will be adopted,” has now been amended to: “Along with protecting the remaining forests, a people-centric approach will be adopted that safeguards the lives and livelihoods of communities living adjacent to forest areas.”

The LDF had originally noted in the manifesto that in all protected forest areas, a buffer zone would be established around the core zone, with stricter regulations enforced there. “Eco-tourism and similar activities will be permitted only in the outer (third) zone, under strict control,” it said.

The amended manifesto says that protected forest areas will be managed by taking into account the living conditions of local residents. “With public interest as a priority, the state government will present its recommendations to the central government regarding core and buffer zones. Regulations in buffer zones will be implemented with the trust and participation of local communities,” it says. Notably, the amended manifesto avoids any mention of specific zoning restrictions on eco-tourism.

The LDF had also promised a “Mission Eco-Restoration” to convert all monoculture plantations into natural forests. It had also announced schemes to promote tree cultivation on barren and non-forest lands outside forest areas. However, these measures have been toned down, even though the revised version retains the idea of “transforming” monoculture forests into diverse, nature-friendly forests.

In the amended manifesto, measures to reduce human-wildlife conflict have become a core promise, whereas in the original manifesto, such reduction was implied as a by-product of strict zoning restrictions.

The new manifesto says that wildlife protection measures will be implemented in a way that does not pose a threat to people, with priority given to public safety. “Conservation efforts will be strengthened by incorporating traditional knowledge and the participation of local communities,” it says. The original manifesto, instead, stated that an ecosystem-based conservation approach, considering forest conditions and ecological characteristics, would be adopted in place of traditional forest management practices.

The original manifesto also stated that forest encroachments would be strictly prevented. In the amended manifesto, this has been omitted. The new manifesto says that protected forest areas will be managed with due consideration for the living conditions of local residents.

The amended manifesto also includes an additional point that, if the LDF forms the government in the state, it will put pressure on the Union government to secure presidential assent for The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022. Notably, the LDF appears to have made quick amendments, as controversial positions such as strict implementation of buffer zone laws, an aggressive mission-mode push to convert monoculture forests, and strict enforcement of forest encroachment laws could alienate communities living close to forests and, in turn, lead to significant vote loss.

Even though amended, the UDF has already taken up the issue of the LDF’s position on the matter. Notably, human–wildlife conflict was a significant issue on which the successive Pinarayi Vijayan governments faced considerable criticism. Earlier, the Kerala Independent Farmers Association—a whistleblower activist group active in Kerala and demanding a permanent solution to the rising human-wildlife conflict—had raised the slogan ahead of the upcoming assembly polls: ‘Karshakane Marakkunnavar, Niyamasabha Marannekkoo’ (“Those who forget the farmer can forget the assembly, too”).

Human-wildlife conflict is estimated to be present in 78 constituencies in Kerala. Among these, 54 are currently held by the LDF and 24 by the UDF. It is estimated that around 30 of these constituencies face severe human-wildlife conflict.