'Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill an election stunt'; Opposition against Kerala govt

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The opposition called the Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill, which gives power to kill wild animals that encroach on human areas, an election stunt. Minister A.K. Saseendran said that the issue affects the vast majority of the people of Kerala and requested that everyone stand together to get the bill approved.

The debate was held in the Assembly on Thursday on the Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill and the Kerala Forest (Amendment) Bill, which allows the cutting and selling of sandalwood trees on private land through the Forest Department. The bills were referred to the Assembly Subject Committee for consideration. Kerala brought the amendment bill under the Central Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

The Opposition alleged that the government did nothing despite strong public sentiment on the issue and was not willing to discuss it, even though the issue was raised as an emergency resolution at several stages in the past. Since the provisions of the bill are against the Central Act, the Governor and the President will not be willing to approve it. Opposition Leader V D Satheesan asked whether this was a farce bill to overcome public sentiment with the elections approaching.

Ministers P Rajeev and Saseendran said that the bill was brought as a solution to the interminable issue affecting the state and demanded that a concerted effort be made to get it approved.

The minister said that the government will consider the opinion of the ruling and opposition members on the provision in the amendment, giving forest watchers the power to take action on their whims.