Amendment to law is essential
The recent meeting convened by the Chief Minister with Members of Parliament (MPs) decided that the state will introduce legislation to address human-wildlife conflict, and that all MPs from Kerala will stand united to ensure the central government adopts a supportive stance on related issues. This decision has been received with great relief and hope by the people of Kerala. The meeting was held ahead of the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament. The collective resolve shown by representatives from both ruling and opposition parties to rise above political rivalry and reflect Kerala’s common concerns in Parliament marks a significant and positive shift in approach.
This unity is reminiscent of how Tamil Nadu's representatives and citizens have consistently stood together on issues like the Kaveri and Mullaperiyar disputes. Kerala too is now showing readiness to join hands across party lines to protect its shared interests — a development that carries immense promise. Human-wildlife conflict, resulting in loss of human life and crop destruction, has become a near-daily news item in the state. Several factors contribute to this rising conflict — deforestation, encroachment into forest lands, habitat destruction, urbanization, agricultural expansion, population growth, changes in land use, climate change, and over-extraction of drinking water resources.
India’s National Forest Policy recommends that 33% of the country’s total land area should be under forest cover. When the Wildlife Protection Act was passed in 1972, this target was nearly met, and the country's population was under 56 crore. Today, however, the population has surged to 146 crore, and forest cover has dropped below 25%. The severity of the resulting issues is therefore evident. The 1972 Wildlife Protection Act was enacted to safeguard wild animals and their habitats. It mandates protection even for wild animals that pose a threat to human life. However, it’s clear that amendments to the Act are necessary—not out of emotion or a desire to harm these animals, but to ensure the protection of human lives. Kerala, with its high population density and human settlements adjacent to forests, faces unique challenges, making a legislative amendment essential. It is a welcome development that Kerala will now present a united voice in Parliament on this front.
At the same time, it is equally important that this spirit of unity be carried forward to protect the federal structure of our Constitution and secure economic federalism. We hope this united effort will also push the Centre to ensure Kerala receives its due share of financial resources—timely disbursement of GST compensation, allowing a borrowing limit of at least 3.86% of GSDP as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission, and urgently releasing central aid for the Mundakkai–Chooralmala disaster. Strengthening this newfound cooperation is crucial in advancing these just demands of the people of Kerala.