Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 29 (UNI) With forest encroachment emerging as a major yet under-discussed trigger for human–wildlife conflict in Kerala, a high-level regional conference on ‘Human–Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence: Legal and Policy Perspectives’ will begin at the Kerala Legislative Assembly complex here on August 30.
The two-day deliberation, jointly organised by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA), will bring together members of the judiciary, policymakers, legal experts, farmers’ representatives and students to address the escalating human–animal conflict across the southern region.
The event will be inaugurated by Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman of NALSA. Dignitaries addressing the inaugural session include Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar, Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court and Patron-in-Chief of KeLSA; Supreme Court Judges Justice M. M. Sundaresh and Justice B. V. Nagarathna; Justice Vikram Nath, Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee; Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque, Senior Judge of the Kerala High Court and Executive Chairman of KeLSA; Justice C. S. Dias, Judge of the Kerala High Court; Attorney General R. Venkataramani; and Kerala Law Minister P. Rajeeve.
Delegates from six southern states and two union Territories will participate, including Chief Justices and Judges of the High Courts of Madras, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Member secretaries of state legal services authorities, district judges, DLSA secretaries, practising lawyers, law students and farmer representatives will also take part.
As part of the programme, NALSA will roll out several initiatives under its “Legal Services for Human–Wildlife Conflict Victims 2025” scheme. These include a permanent Lok Adalat portal on district websites, e-filing and video-conferencing facilities for litigants, and “Samanvaya”, a coordination project to ensure easier access to justice for conflict-affected communities.
The valedictory session on August 31 will feature a keynote address by Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar.
