Forest Minister 'Kerala to Discuss Wild Animal Control Hurdles With Centre'

Kerala Forest Minister Shibu Baby John on Wednesday said that the state government would take up with the Centre the practical difficulties involved in dealing with dangerous wild animals and would also formulate a comprehensive, integrated multi-layer plan to tackle the growing menace of human-wildlife conflict. 

Replying to a question in the Assembly, the minister said the government was working on a comprehensive strategy that would utilise scientific equipment and technology to prevent wild animal attacks.

He said



the law does not permit the killing of wild animals merely because they are aggressive, although the Chief Wildlife Warden has the authority to order the elimination of animals that pose a threat to human life.

The minister also said the government did not consider the existing compensation provided in human-wildlife conflict cases to be adequate and would seek to improve it. 

"Whenever a wild animal enters a human habitation and causes an attack, the Forest Department has a moral responsibility," he added.