Tusks and tensions, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• Kerala passed the Wild Life Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill 2025, seeking more power over wildlife management.
• The bill allows the state to declare animals as 'vermin' and order the killing or relocation of animals that injure humans.
• This decision comes after unsuccessful attempts to get the Centre to declare wild boars as 'vermin' under the central act.
• The amendment raises concerns about potential impacts on conservation and federal-state relations.

Detailed Insights:

• The amendment was prompted by increasing human-animal conflict, particularly with wild boars, due to expanding human settlements.
• The central government's power to declare vermin has been criticized for lacking transparency and timely engagement with states.
• Shifting the power to declare vermin to the state level may not solve the issue of opacity without proper safeguards and criteria.
• A balanced approach would involve maintaining baseline protections, establishing clear procedures, and promoting non-lethal solutions.
• Declaring animals as vermin without addressing the root causes of conflict may lead to a cycle of governance failure and lethal shortcuts.
• The bill requires Presidential assent since wildlife is on the Concurrent List and any state law repugnant to the Central Act requires it.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Vermin: Animals that are considered pests or destructive to crops, livestock, or property.
• Concurrent List: A list of subjects in the Indian Constitution where both the Union and State governments can legislate.
• Wildlife Protection Act 1972: A law enacted by the Parliament of India for the protection of plants and animal species.