Kerala Forms 500‑Member Special Reserve Force to Curb Elephant Attacks

Overview

• The Kerala government announced on Wednesday that it will set up a 500-member Special Reserve Force to strengthen protection of forest-fringe communities after a recent rise in elephant incursions.
• The force will be organised into 100 units of five members each and will be posted in identified conflict hotspots across the state.
• Officials say recruits will include tribal community members with local knowledge, retired Forest Department experts, experienced residents and personnel with technical skills.
• Assigned duties include round-the-clock patrols and surveillance of elephant movement corridors, issuing warnings to residents, ensuring solar-powered fencing and other deterrents work, and assisting Rapid Response Teams to drive elephants back to forests.
• The announcement follows reports of multiple recent deaths and injuries from elephant incidents and does not yet specify recruitment schedules, training plans or funding, so the force’s impact will depend on how quickly those details are delivered and implemented.