Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday decided to constitute an expert committee to find a long-term solution to the human-animal conflicts in the state. The panel also will be tasked to identify hot spots that face constant animal raids.

The court sought suggestions from the state government on who should be part of the committee. It listed the matter for hearing on May 17.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by animal rights groups -- People for Animals (PFA), Trivandrum Chapter and the Walking Eye Foundation for Animal Advocacy. They had opposed the government's decision to keep the rogue elephant in captivity and train it to become a kumki elephant.

A special bench of Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and Gopinath P also praised the work of the forest officials who tranquilised and translocated 'Arikomban' from the Chinnakanal area of Idukki district to the deep interiors of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. "The care and empathy that you showed towards Arikomban throughout the operations speak volumes of the spirit of humanism that resides within all of you," the bench said.