Sarpa app to issue alert on wild beast sightings in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : In a bid to curtail rising incidents of human-animal conflicts in the state, the forest department has decided to make use of its ‘Sarpa’ application to alert residents on forest fringes during wild animal incursions. The department decided to implement the decision after organising several discussions to find effective ways to alleviate incidents of human-animal conflicts, which claimed several lives in the state recently.

Initially designed to rescue snakes, the updated version of the app, which is expected to roll out in August, will enable users to post updates, including photos and videos. The posts vetted by the department will appear as ‘verified’. The objective is to let the public know when a wild beast is spotted on forest fringes so that the residents can exercise caution.