Fest to focus on man-animal conflicts

Idukki: The state-level inauguration of Vana Mahotsavam will be held at Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Saturday and it will focus on burning issues such as man-animal conflicts and climatic change, said PTR officials. The event will be inaugurated by forest minister AK Saseendran. Water resources minister Roshy Augustine and Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose and MLAs of the district will also attend the function.“As it is the 25th year of participatory forest conservation that was started in PTR, we are holding a seminar on man-animal conflicts in which representatives of 52 local bodies, which share their border with the forests in Idukki, will take part. Saji Mathew, president of Karadka block panchayat in Kasaragod will present the topic at the seminar,” said assistant field director of PTR East Suhaib PJ.He said that Dr PO Nameer, dean of the college of climate change and environmental science at Kerala Agricultural University in Vellanikkara and B Thomas, principal chief conservator of forest and head of forest force, will also take part in the seminar.“We are envisaging a plan in which LSGs and forest department work effectively to mitigate and resolve man-animal conflicts. The inputs we get from representatives of LSGs at the seminar will be analysed in detail to formulate projects that will be implemented to resolve conflicts,” he said.