Kerala seeks law change to quicken response to dangerous wildlife attacks
The Kerala government will push for amendments to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to delegate the powers of the Chief Wildlife Warden to order the hunting of dangerous wild animals to senior forest officers at the circle level. Forest Minister Shibu Baby John is expected to raise the demand during his meeting with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Wednesday.
According to the state, existing legal and procedural requirements cause delays in taking emergency action against dangerous or habitual conflict animals, particularly those listed under Schedule I of the Act, thereby increasing risks to human life and property. Kerala will argue for revised standard operating protocols and advisories for managing problem animals like man-eating tigers and leopards, and for delegating emergency powers to senior field officers. Simplified capture and relocation procedures are also sought.
The state will request permission for aerial translocation of Schedule I conflict animals to interior forest areas with Indian Air Force support, either free of cost or at concessional rates. Additionally, Kerala will reiterate its demand to declare wild pigs as vermin for at least one year in areas with high conflict, relax norms for excluding certain habitations from Periyar Tiger Reserve and Thattekadu Bird Sanctuary, and reclassify bonnet macaques from Schedule I to Schedule II to enable population management and conflict mitigation.
Kerala also plans to collaborate with the Wildlife Institute of India and the Indian Institute of Forest Management for studies on wildlife population dynamics, carrying capacity, and sustainable management. The state will seek a dedicated chapter on human-wildlife conflict management in the Act, covering provisions for conflicts outside forests and habitat management.
On the financial front, Kerala will ask for enhanced central support. The state spends around ₹20.05 crore annually on compensation for victims, against a state budget provision of only ₹5.65 crore. It will seek a dedicated central scheme for compensation, mitigation, and coexistence measures. A special ₹450-crore package for voluntary relocation of tribal settlements and vulnerable habitations from high-conflict and disaster-prone areas is also requested.
