India, March 4 -- Since January, a pervasive anti-wildlife sentiment has descended over the district and violent protests erupted against animals and conservationists

An unsettling silence has descended upon Kerala's northern hilly district of Wayanad as the harsh summer sets in. This is when the wild animals, especially elephants, migrate to this part of the state in search of food and water. This gives rise to human-wildlife conflicts, pushing a segment of the residents to take up extreme measures against the animals while others continue to pray for a harmonious co-existence.

On February 10, a 20-year-old wild elephant Belur Makhna fatally trampled a local farmer. Even though the animal has retreated to its roaming grounds in the sou...