Kerala to blend tribal knowledge into forest conservation efforts

The Kerala government wants to work together with tribal people who have lived near forests for many years.

These communities know the forest very well, like which animals live there and how to stay safe.

The minister, Shibu Baby John, says this knowledge should be used to protect nature and reduce fights between people and wild animals.

The government also wants to give tribal people more jobs and a bigger share of money made from tourism.

They plan to spend a lot of money to build eco-tourism in Kumily and fix up the Tiger Museum there.

Some tribal leaders are now part of the big Wildlife Board that makes decisions about forests, which has never happened before.

Many tribal people have already gotten jobs through Eco-Development Committees in Thekkady.

The government also wants to fix problems in tribal villages, like drinking water and bad roads.

The minister says tribal people's needs are their rights, not charity.