A high-level meeting presided over by District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt on Saturday decided to draft a detailed master plan to address the rising number of human-animal conflict incidents in the district.According to officials, the meeting decided to direct estate managements to immediately clear wild bushes in tea and rubber plantations, which have been found to shelter wild animals near human habitations.The meeting was attended by Government Chief Whip Apu John Joseph, Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose, Idukki MLA Roy K. Paulose, Peerumade MLA Cyriac Thomas, Devikulam MLA F. Raja, Udumbanchola MLA Senapathi Venu, Chief Forest Conservator D.K. Vinod, and Additional District Magistrate S. Sreejith.Officials resolved to strengthen the operations of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) and the Primary Response Team (PRT) in the district. Awareness camps will be organised in areas worst hit by human-wildlife conflict, and local bodies will be directed to ensure proper waste management in their respective jurisdictions to avoid attracting animals.The meeting also resolved to consider installing AI-based solar fencing systems in high-conflict areas. Furthermore, the Forest Department was directed to prepare a comprehensive master plan for trench construction and other preventive activities. These projects will be prepared under the leadership of respective Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs).Additionally, the meeting decided to evict illegal encroachments and remove unauthorised fences along forest borders. During the meeting, forest officials noted that the primary RRT currently operates out of the Devikulam base and demanded the establishment of a second RRT in Chinnakkanal.The collector also ordered the completion of fencing along forest border areas and directed officials to take strict action against those destroying fences in the Upputhara region.To prevent public unrest, the meeting directed forest officials to inform public representatives before executing eviction drives on lands that have been in the possession of farmers for years but are classified as forest land. A joint inspection will also be conducted in human settlements currently recorded as forest land.The meeting also decided to intensify drone patrolling in areas where human-animal conflicts have worsened. Published - June 13, 2026 07:40 pm IST