Kottayam: The Kerala government is set to introduce a major amendment to the Wildlife Protection (Kerala) Bill, granting the Forest Department the authority to seize or, if necessary, kill wild animals that enter residential areas and pose a threat. The amendment is expected to be presented in the upcoming Assembly session.

The preliminary draft of the bill, which was approved by the Advocate General, has been forwarded to the Law Department. After consideration by the Forest Department and the state cabinet, it will be tabled in the Assembly. The proposed amendment is to the central government’s Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

As wildlife protection falls under the Concurrent List, the state is legally permitted to make amendments. However, since it involves altering a central law, the bill must be passed by the state legislature, receive the governor’s assent, and then be sent for the president’s approval.

Key provisions in the proposed amendment:

• Under the existing 1972 law, even if a wild animal enters a residential area and attacks or kills a human, it cannot be immediately shot or killed. The law requires installation of cameras, monitoring the animal, and confirming whether it is a recurring intruder or the same one previously captured on camera. The proposed amendment will remove these procedural delays, allowing the Forest Department to take immediate action to protect human lives and property.

• Man-eating animals can be shot on sight.

• The Forest Department will be able to make immediate decisions about whether to tranquillise, capture, or relocate animals.

• The common macaque (native monkey) will be included in Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Act, enabling the state to sterilisee them if necessary.

• Any wild animal, including wild boars, that causes repeated nuisance in human settlements can be declared a vermin species.

• Strict provisions outlined in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) under the central 1972 law will be relaxed.