Wild animals that cause trouble can be killed and eaten; Kerala with amendment to central law

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Wild animals that attack humans and domestic animals can be shot immediately. Monkeys and wild boars that destroy crops can be killed. There will also be no obstacle to eating wild boar meat.

The cabinet meeting decided to introduce the bill with these provisions in the assembly session starting tomorrow. This is the first time in India that a state has brought such an amendment to the central law. This is a long-standing demand of the people living in the forest areas. At the same time, stray dogs, which people fear, do not come under this ambit.

The Chief Wildlife Warden can order its immediate killing if a wild animal enters a residential area and attacks and injures people. This is the provision that has been included in the Forest and Wildlife Protection Act. If anyone is seriously injured in a wild animal attack, the District Collector or Chief Forest Conservator can report it to the Chief Wildlife Warden. Action can be taken to kill the wild animals.

Even if the assembly passes the bill, it can be implemented only after receiving the President's approval. Since it is a matter related to a central law, the President will take further action only after seeking the opinion of the central government. 'The provisions of the current central law and the procedures implemented by the central government are impractical and delaying. The provisions of the bill will pave the way for immediate action by eliminating these,' said Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran.

Forest guards' arrest powers removed

• The cabinet has approved a new draft bill that removes the provisions that empower forest guards to arrest anyone for violating forest laws. It will be presented in the assembly session starting tomorrow. This bill could not be passed in the last session due to opposition.
• The draft proposes an amendment to the Kerala Forest Act, 1961, which gives the owners the right to sell sandalwood trees on private land through the forest department. Although sandalwood trees can be planted at present, the owner is the government. Minister A.K. Saseendran said that the amendment will help promote sandalwood cultivation and generate huge income for the owners.

Birth control and deportation

• Currently, wild animals are in two lists. The first list includes most wild animals, including tigers and lions. Wild animals like wild boars are in the second list
• According to the central law, if animals in list one that attack humans are to be killed, they should be declared as cannibals and if it's list two then they should be declared as vermin
• The power for this lies with the center. The amendment to the Forest and Wildlife Protection Act transfers this power to the state
• There is also a provision for birth control and deportation if the number of wild animals in list two increases. The provision of obtaining central permission to do this does not need to be followed
• The state had demanded through petitions and an assembly resolution to declare wild boars as vermin, but the Centre has not relented.