Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Cabinet has given the green light to a landmark bill that permits authorities to kill wild animals declared dangerous when they pose a threat to human life. Chaired online by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the special Cabinet meeting decided to table the bill in the Assembly session beginning Monday, with the objective of amending existing central wildlife laws.
Under the proposed law, the Chief Wildlife Warden will be empowered to authorize the shooting of rogue animals, particularly those straying into human settlements.
The Cabinet also approved key Forest Act amendments, including allowing private landowners to fell sandalwood trees on their property with Forest Department approval.
The move comes against a troubling backdrop — official data reveals that 180 lives were lost in elephant attacks in Kerala over the last eight years. While officials admit implementation challenges, the government insists the bill is a critical step to safeguard people in high-range regions frequently affected by wildlife incursions.
