Kerala government has allocated ₹288.60 crore in the 2026 State Budget for forest and wildlife conservation. Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal announced the funding on January 29. The main focus is on reducing human-wildlife conflict, strengthening forest protection, and improving conservation infrastructure. A coordinated mission involving several departments will work to reduce conflicts. Efforts include installing smart physical barriers and warning systems, improving habitats, raising public awareness, and boosting Rapid Response and First Response Teams. So far, 793 km of new solar fences have been installed, and 1,954 km of old fences repaired. Forest Emergency Operation Centres are now active at state and divisional levels. The Budget dedicates ₹100 crore for schemes to reduce loss of human life and damage to domestic animals — ₹29.60 crore more than last year. It also assigns ₹50 crore to the Forest Conservation project for surveying forest boundaries and protection, ₹50.30 crore for developing forest conservation infrastructure, and ₹5 crore for ‘Big Tree Plantations’ to increase planting stock and revenue. Funds have been set aside for zoological parks too: ₹6 crore for Puthoor Zoological Park in Thrissur and ₹5 crore for Kozhikode Biological Park activities. Minister Balagopal highlighted Kerala’s strong forest protection record but said it presents challenges for agriculture and farmers. He criticized the Centre for not amending relevant laws and promised to implement modern technology and legal measures to guard agriculture and rural livelihoods from wildlife attacks.