Kerala Cabinet Approves Bill Allowing Killing of Aggressive Wild Animals

The Kerala Cabinet has approved an amendment bill that permits the killing of aggressive wild animals. This landmark decision, made at a special cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, allows the Chief Wildlife Warden to immediately order the killing of any wild animal that enters populated areas and causes injury to a person. This marks the first time an Indian state has introduced such a legislative amendment, with the bill slated for presentation in the Legislative Assembly on Monday.

Forest Minister A K Saseendran stated that the provisions of this new bill aim to facilitate urgent action by circumventing impractical and time-consuming procedures currently stipulated in central laws and standard operating procedures issued by the central government. He also clarified that the amendment does not impede the protection of animals designated for conservation.

Under the new provisions, if an individual sustains serious injuries from a wildlife attack, and the incident is reported to the Chief Wildlife Warden by the relevant District Collector or Chief Forest Conservator, the Chief Wildlife Warden is empowered to take immediate measures, including authorizing the killing of the wild animal, without awaiting further procedural steps. Furthermore, if the population of wild animals listed in Schedule II increases, measures such as birth control or relocation to other areas can be implemented without requiring prior approval from the central government. Once an animal is declared a vermin, it can be culled by anyone through any means, and its meat can be consumed without legal restriction.

The state government had previously made multiple requests to the central government, through both petitions and legislative resolutions, to declare wild boars as vermin, but these requests were not granted. Consequently, the state government has appointed the heads of local self-government institutions as honorary wildlife wardens, who are now authorized to take steps to cull and dispose of wild boars, subject to the conditions set forth by the central government.