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The Hindu

LDF govt. trying to mislead people on wildlife issue: Kerala Congress

A day after the Kerala Cabinet resolved to seek the approval from the Union government to cull wild animals that threaten human life and property, the Kerala Congress led by P.J. Joseph alleged that the move was aimed at influencing the Nilambur byelection. Addressing the media, Kerala Congress deputy chairman and Kottayam MP K. Francis George pointed out that the existing legal framework already empowered the State to cull animals and that the government made the latest decision with an intention to deceive people who are facing regular attacks by wild animals. 'In fact, when this issue was raised in Parliament, the Union Forest Minister had said that the State Chief Wildlife Warden has the power to hunt, kill or capture, Schedule 1 and 2 wildlife species that are harmful to human life and cause damage to agriculture, as outline in the sections 11 (i)a and 11 (i)b of the Wildlife Protection Act, as per the circumstances. The Union Environment and Forest Minister confirmed this in writing in Parliament on September 2, 2024 and April 8, 2025,' he said. 'Moreover, when I raised a demand to amend the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha on March 12, 2025, the Forest Minister reiterated his statement and said the Union Forest Ministry has given a written instruction to the Additional Chief Secretary of the State Wildlife Department in this regard,' Mr. George said. 'The letter from the Union Forest Ministry to the State government specifically states that under section 11(i) a and 11(i) b, the Chief Wildlife Warden or the officer designated by the Chief Wildlife Warden must be given permission to cull wild animals that pose a threat to human life or property. This letter was sent to the State government by the Deputy Inspector General of Forests on April 3, 2025. The State government's decision to seek permission to shoot wild animals, despite the existence of such a clear directive, is an attempt to deceive the people,' he said.