One of India’s most literate States, Kerala is known for its strong grassroots institutions and rich biodiversity. With globally significant ecological hotspots such as the Western Ghats and Silent Valley, over 64.26% of its land is under Forest & Trees cover. The rise in tiger numbers and the improving elephant population further reflect its conservation saga.

In recent years, Kerala has faced a sharp rise in human-wildlife conflicts — declared a disaster — resulting in significant loss of life, crop damage, and widespread fear. In the last decade, these conflicts injured nearly 9,000 people and caused over 900 deaths. A Forest Department study identified 273 local bodies as critical conflict zones, including 30 major hotspots, nine of which are highly critical due to frequent incident

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