Malappuram: Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi has written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, highlighting delays in disbursing compensation and fulfilling assurances for the families of those killed in human-wildlife conflicts in Wayanad and Nilambur.

She cited specific cases where compensation and promised assistance have not been provided and urged the immediate release of funds to strengthen wildlife conflict prevention efforts.

Her letter includes petitions from the victims’ families and other affected individuals. Between December 27 and February 12, wildlife attacks in Wayanad and Nilambur claimed seven lives.

The Congress General Secretary stated that she had personally met the families of the deceased and discussed their concerns with district administrations. While authorities aim to protect human lives alongside wildlife, she noted that insufficient funding has hindered their efforts.

Gandhi pointed out that the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change plays a crucial role, but its expenditure depends on state government allocations. As a result, delays in state funding have led to further delays in central funding.

Her letter underscores the urgent need for thermal drones, camera traps, CCTV cameras, and radio collars to monitor wildlife movement. It also highlights the Rapid Response Team’s (RRT) lack of vehicles and the overcrowded state of the animal care centre in Sultan Bathery. She stressed the immediate need for maintaining elephant-proof trenches, solar fences, and hanging fences.

During her visit to Uchakkulam hamlet at Muthedam near Nilambur, where Sarojini was killed in a wildlife attack, Priyanka inspected the trenches and found them in a deplorable condition, inadequate to prevent elephants from entering human settlements.

She also visited the families of Mani, who was killed in Karulai, Nilambur, and Radha, who was killed in Pancharakolli, Mananthavady. She detailed their grievances in the letter.

“There is widespread distrust among the public regarding the government’s mitigation measures, leading to frustration and disappointment. People do not believe that trenches and hanging fences are effective in keeping out tigers.

Consequently, many demand the construction of concrete walls instead,” the letter states. Priyanka also accused the government of failing to honour its commitments to the families of the deceased.