New Delhi: The Kerala government has sought the Centre's assistance in tackling the growing human-wildlife conflict, urging it to give states greater flexibility to address the issue based on local conditions.

State Forest Minister Shibu Baby John met Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and requested that states be allowed to adopt measures suited to their specific circumstances. The Centre asked the state to submit its demands in writing.

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However, the Centre did not accept Kerala's demand to declare wild boars as vermin. Responding to the request, Bhupender Yadav reportedly asked, "Are they not being killed?" while referring to photographs and videos showing authorities culling wild boars in Kerala. The Union Minister also made it clear that wild boars killed during such operations cannot be used for consumption.

Raising concerns over the increasing tiger menace, the Kerala minister pointed out the challenges faced by the state. In response, Bhupender Yadav said that Chief Wildlife Wardens already have the authority to order the killing of man-eating animals. However, Shibu Baby John argued that the existing procedures for exercising those powers are impractical and time-consuming.

The minister said he received a positive response from the Centre to Kerala's proposal for the aerial translocation of large numbers of wild animals with the assistance of the Indian Air Force.

Compensation for wildlife attack victims may be increased

Shibu Baby John also said the state is considering increasing compensation for the dependants of those killed in wildlife attacks from the current ₹17.5 lakh to ₹21 lakh, subject to central assistance.

He noted that while the Centre had informed Parliament that it would provide ₹10 lakh as compensation, the amount is not released as a lump sum but is calculated on a case-by-case basis.

The Kerala government has earmarked ₹192 crore in its budget for the sector over the next nine months, and the minister expressed hope that the Centre would contribute its proportional share.