Kerala Considers Amending Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Minister Rajeeve

Quick Summary:

• Kerala government is considering amending teh Wildlife Protection Act,1972,to address human-wildlife conflict in the state.
• Proposed amendment allows the chief wildlife warden to permit actions such as killing, tranquilizing, or capturing wild animals under certain conditions (attacking humans or found in public areas).
• the amendment would be introduced as a Bill in Kerala’s State legislative Assembly after Cabinet approval and require presidential assent per Article 254(2) of the Constitution since it involves a Central law.
• Minister for Law and Industries P. Rajeeve stated human-wildlife conflict poses serious threats to welfare in Kerala with marginalised sections and small farmers being most affected.
• The matter was discussed during a Regional Conference on Human-Wildlife Conflict organized by KELSA and NALSA. Supreme Court judges Surya Kant, M.M. Sundaresh, B.V. Nagarathna, Vikram Nath, Attorney General R. Venkataramani, and Kerala High Court Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar were present.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

Kerala’s move to seek an amendment to a central wildlife protection law signals urgency due to escalating human-wildlife conflicts affecting livelihoods and public safety-especially among marginalized groups like small farmers. By emphasizing constitutional provisions for state intervention (Article 254(2)), this approach reflects careful legal groundwork while seeking practical solutions within national frameworks.

Balancing conservation priorities with community protection will be crucial as this proposal moves forward; broader implications could emerge if similar demands arise from other states grappling with comparable issues across India’s rural landscapes. Collaboration between central legislation authorities and regional policymakers will determine whether innovative yet legally sound measures can both safeguard wildlife ecosystems while mitigating harm to humans.

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