Why is this Indian state asking to kill protected wild animals?
Protected Indian wildlife in the gun over villager safety fears
- Kerala is requesting the Indian government to amend the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 to allow local officials to swiftly manage wild animals that threaten lives or damage property.
- The state proposes classifying wild boars as vermin for a limited time, removing bonnet macaques from Schedule I protection, and permitting the killing of animals identified as maneaters.
- Kerala cites increasing human-wildlife conflict, with 273 of 941 village councils identified as hotspots, and government data showing 919 deaths and nearly 9,000 injuries from wildlife attacks between 2016-17 and January 2025.
- State authorities argue that current laws delay urgent action during wildlife emergencies, especially with Schedule I species, and seek to decentralise authority by allowing chief conservators of forests to issue "kill permits".
- The proposal has faced criticism from conservationists and ecologists, who warn that relaxing protections and permitting culling could set a dangerous precedent and disrupt ecosystems.