Wild boar shooting: Kerala forest dept brings strict norms for shooters

Perambra: The Forest Department has introduced new conditions for shooters involved in shooting wild boars. As per the fresh order, individuals holding gun licences issued for purposes other than crop protection and self-defence have been barred from shooting wild boars.

The government, in May 2022, issued an order permitting the controlled shooting of wild boars that cause damage to agriculture and pose threats to human life and property. However, the Idukki District Collector had informed the Forest Department that licence holders with firearms permitted for sporting purposes were also being allowed to shoot wild boars under the said order. The Collector had urged that such permissions should be granted only after verifying licence details with the licensing authority, and that appropriate action be taken at the government level. The new order has been issued after considering this concern.

At present, presidents of grama panchayats, in their capacity as honorary wildlife wardens, are empowered to issue orders permitting the shooting of wild boars. The Forest Department’s Additional Chief Secretary, Minhaj Alam, has now directed that before granting such permission, the category and nature of the firearm licence must be verified with the District Licensing Authority.