The Pastoral Council of the Diocese of Thamarassery has urged immediate and effective intervention from both the government and administrative machinery to address the intensifying wild animal menace in the hilly agricultural regions of Kerala. The appeal was made through a resolution passed during the fourth session of the 12th Pastoral Council held at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre.

The Council expressed grave concern and protest over the continued apathy of the authorities in the face of widespread destruction of crops, injuries, and even fatalities caused by wild animal attacks. The resolution questioned whether there was an undeclared agenda to force people out of the high ranges by deliberately ignoring the crisis caused by wild animals.

The session was inaugurated by Bishop Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil, who emphasized the severe crisis currently affecting the high-range agrarian communities. He called upon policymakers and officials to take swift and meaningful action to provide relief to the suffering farmers. “We must draw strength from unity and divine guidance to overcome these challenges and transform adversity into an opportunity for renewed effort,” the Bishop said.

Pastoral Council member Thomas Valiyaparambil presented the resolution, highlighting that farming and harvesting in the hilly belts have become nearly impossible due to persistent animal intrusions. While current central and state government policies allow for compensation of up to ₹25 lakh in the case of deaths caused by wild animal attacks, the Council criticized the government for offering only ₹10 lakh during protest demonstrations with the victim’s body, branding such responses as insensitive and inadequate.

The resolution demanded:

• Adequate compensation to the families of those killed in wild animal attacks.
• Timely crop damage compensation within three months.
• Effective measures such as hanging fencing to prevent wild animals from entering farmland, with ongoing maintenance included under the rural employment guarantee scheme.
• Establishment of a commission to assess the damage caused by wild animal attacks and to study long-term implications.
• Controlled culling of overpopulated species such as wild boars, along with regulated use of their meat for productive purposes.

The Council strongly reiterated that wild animal threats have now reached the scale of an agricultural disaster and called upon both the central and state governments to recognize it as such and act decisively.

During the session, Fr. Dr. Mathew Kochadampallil delivered a lecture on “The History and Significance of the Malabar Migration Centennial.” He stressed the importance of passing on the legacy of the Malabar Migration to the younger generation as the centenary year approaches.

The meeting was attended and addressed by Vicar General Msgr. Abraham Vayalil, Diocesan Chancellor Fr. Sebastian Kavalackatt, Pastoral Council Secretary Benny Lukose, Adv. Beena Jose, and Thomas Valiyaparambil.