Kerala’s move to intensify wild boar culling comes under fire

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The Kerala government’s decision to intensify the “elimination” of wild boars that enter human habitations, as part of its 100-day action plan to tackle human-wildlife conflict, has sparked criticism from animal welfare groups and experts. Opposition has been further fuelled by the State’s decision to submit a revised proposal to the Centre seeking the classification of wild boars as vermin under the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WLPA), 1972.

Activists allege that the “unilateral decision” could weaken safeguards under the WLPA. Sreedevi S. Kartha, trustee of People For Animals (PFA), Thiruvananthapuram, says the order to deploy sharp-shooting special squads to carry out the mass culling of wild boars is “highly destructive and legally questionable”.

“​The matter is pending before the Kerala High Court, where at least three organisations have challenged government orders authorising local bodies to manage the wild boar issue and empowering their heads, acting as honorary wildlife wardens [HWWs], to permit culling. The WLPA empowers HWWs to support wildlife conservation and protection. It does not provide authority for issuing a blanket order permitting indiscriminate, State-wide culling of wild boars.

“As the court has directed the government to frame a scientifically backed policy, ordering mass culling without mandatory clearances or impact assessments while the case remains sub judice is legally improper,” says Ms. Kartha, who is also a trustee of Sama Srishti Federation of Animal Rights Organisations of Kerala.

A scientist at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), however, notes that while wild boars are among the species most commonly involved in human-wildlife conflicts, what is needed is a scientific and evidence-based management strategy rather than “indiscriminate killing”.

“Population control may be necessary in some situations, but culling should be considered only as a last resort and based on scientific evidence. Before any culling is undertaken, detailed stu