Kerala government has proposed amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, aiming to empower local forest officials to take quicker action against dangerous wildlife and declare wild boars as vermin.

This move addresses the rising human–wildlife conflicts, including attacks and crop damage in the state.

Key Points:

• The proposal seeks to amend Section 11 to allow Chief Conservators of Forests (CCFs) to authorize culling of dangerous Schedule I animals without waiting for the Chief Wildlife Warden’s approval.
• Wild boars are proposed to be declared vermin under Section 62, permitting controlled culling to reduce crop destruction.
• Kerala has reported nearly 9,000 human injuries and over 900 fatalities due to wildlife conflicts between 2016 and 2025.
• Current laws and court orders delay swift action against dangerous animals, prompting the need for amendments.
• The amendments aim to balance wildlife conservation with human safety and could serve as a model for other states facing similar issues.