The death of 40-year-old court employee V.C. Sunil in an attack by a wild gaur at Vilangad in Keralam’s Kozhikode district has triggered protests by upland farmers’ organisations, who have accused the Forest department of failing to prevent the recurring human-wildlife conflicts and protect agricultural livelihoods.

Farmers who took out a protest march in Vilangad on Saturday (August 30, 2026) alleged that the functioning of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) and forest watchers was inadequate. They also accused several senior Forest department officers of failing to respond effectively to the concerns of farmers in areas frequently affected by wild animal incursions.

“Proposals to construct hanging power fences and trenches to prevent wild animals from entering vulnerable areas are still pending at several locations in Vanimel panchayat. Forest officials are citing shortage of funds or delays in approval for various preventive measures,” said T. Varghese, a farmer from Vilangad.

Fear of retaliatory action

He also alleged that some leaders of farmers’ organisations were reluctant to raise their protests more strongly in fear of retaliatory action by the Forest department officials.

Functionaries of the We Farm upland farmers’ collective said wild gaurs continued to pose a serious threat to residents and visitors to eco-tourism destinations in the region. Kakkayam, in particular, had witnessed repeated incidents involving wild gaurs, they said.

In 2024, a 70-year-old farmer from Kakkayam was killed in a wild gaur attack. The Kakkayam eco-tourism centre was also closed that year after another wild gaur attacked a 32-year-old woman and her daughter who were visiting the area.

“Despite these recurring incidents, there have been no adequate interventions from the authorities to find a lasting solution,” said a functionary of the Kerala Independent Farmers Association. He also said the compensation provided to families of people killed or injured in human-wildlife conflicts was inadequate.

Meanwhile, activists associated with the Indian Farmers Movement and Farmers Relief Forum said discussions were under way among various farmers’ organisations to launch a united protest across the State, seeking justice for kin who have lost family members in wild animal attacks. They said youth organisations working for farmers’ rights would also be approached to strengthen the proposed agitation.

The protests have also received support from local residents in Vilangad. Two leaders of local merchant organisations who took part in the agitation in front of the Forest department office near Vilangad said they had blocked the Divisional Forest Officer and raised concerns over the recurring threat.

Possibility of culling

The leaders demanded stronger measures to deal with aggressive animals, including the possibility of culling stray animals posing an immediate threat to human life. They said the support of trade unions and rights organisations would be sought to press the Forest department for prompt action and adequate compensation to Sunil’s family.

Meanwhile, Forest department sources said the demand for a reasonable compensation to Sunil’s family has been taken up with the State government for speedy action. Discussions had also been held with the District Collector on the farmers’ concerns and the completion of various power-fencing projects.