Kerala cabinet approves draft bill allowing killing of dangerous wild animals

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A special cabinet meeting approved a draft bill that allows the killing of dangerous animals. The bill, aiming to amend a central law, will be introduced in the assembly session that begins on Monday.

The bill was prepared in such a way that it allows the killing of dangerous animals that enter human settlements only in special circumstances. The Chief Wildlife Warden himself can order the decision to kill the wild animal. Although the bill will be introduced in the next assembly meeting, complex issues prove to be a hindrance. The bill requires the approval of the Governor and the President, among others. The cabinet also approved the amendment to the Forest Act. The bill regarding the cutting of sandalwood trees in the backyard of a private owner, after seeking permission from the Forest Department, was also approved.

Thamarassery Bishop Remigiose Inchananiyil endorsed the new bill allowing permission to kill aggressive animals, which have been hitherto putting human lives at risk. The Bishop said that the decision was long overdue and one of the best taken by the government so far.