Wildlife threats ranging from snakes to wild boars and otters are instilling fear among Mukkom residents in Kozhikode. This surge in human-animal conflicts underscores ongoing challenges in Kerala’s hilly regions, where habitat loss drives animals into human settlements. Mukkom joins a list of hotspots like Wayanad and Palakkad, where crop damage and safety risks dominate daily life.
Wild boars remain the primary menace in Mukkom municipality, destroying crops and posing safety hazards despite government orders allowing culling. In October 2025, farmers and residents launched an indefinite hunger strike outside the municipal office, carrying damaged crop samples to protest inaction and demand more shooter licenses from the District Collector. The four-day relay strike succeeded after discussions with Chairperson P.T. Babu, leading to a 14-member team with shooters, hunting dogs, and farmer assistance for daytime hunts.
Recent reports detail snakes, stray dogs, and otters invading Mukkom homes and farms, amplifying resident anxiety. Otters have attacked over 100 people since 2020 along Kozhikode rivers like Iruvazhinji and Chaliyar, prioritizing forest department focus on boars and gaurs while planning fences. Leopard sightings and attacks, such as a pet dog killed in nearby Kodiyathur in February 2025, prompt surveillance cameras and rapid response teams.
Kerala identified 30 hotspots across seven districts in 2024, with Mukkom amid 271 conflict-prone panchayats driven by agricultural expansion and invasive species. Fatalities dropped to 67 in 2024-25 the lowest since 2016-17 due to awareness and prevention, though wild boars killed eight in early 2025. Farmers demand Wildlife Protection Act amendments for regulated hunting, amid protests like Chakkittappara’s calls to shoot intruders.
Forest officials deploy kumki elephants, traps, and RRTs, but locals urge fences, more shooters, and habitat restoration. Mukkom’s story reflects Kerala’s need for balanced conservation economic losses erode support, yet innovative measures like solar fencing offer hope. Residents can contact Kerala Forest Department’s wildlife rescue for immediate aid.
Read more at: https://www.manoramaonline.com/district-news/kozhikode/2026/04/30/wildlife-menace-mukkom.html