Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad said on Saturday that letting people eat locally hunted wild boar could curb the growing damage the animals are doing to farms across the state. He made the comment while opening a new project in Paalamel village, Alapuzha, that aims to protect farmlands from wild animal attacks.
Wild boars have become a serious problem for farmers and even people in some areas. “If the farms can kill the boars and people can eat the meat, the problem would disappear quickly,” Prasad told reporters. “Wild boars are not endangered, so we should treat them differently.” He added that federal laws currently block the sale of wild boar meat, but he believes the state should change that rule.
During the launch ceremony, Prasad also criticized officials in the forest department for what he called neglect. He mentioned a case in which a family lost a man to a wild boar attack and had not received compensation even after five years. “Officials are paid by taxpayers,” he said. “They should not act with arrogance or take advantage of their positions. Families who deserve help should not be left out because of careless vets or forestry staff.”
Prasad ordered strict action against those who delay compensation. “Officials can no longer hide behind excuses like missing certificates,” he warned.
The state’s wildlife laws are already in motion. Kerala’s Legislative Assembly passed the Wildlife Protection (Kerala Amendment) Act, 2025 on October 8. The amendment updates the Central Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and shifts the balance between protecting people and wildlife. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan posted on X (formerly Twitter) on October 9 that this amendment is a major step toward resolving human‑animal conflict and ensuring justice for communities living at the forest’s edge. He also highlighted the new Forest Amendment Bill, saying the combined reforms demonstrate Kerala’s commitment to harmony between people and nature.
With these new rules and stricter enforcement, Kerala hopes to reduce wild boar attacks, protect farmland, and provide timely compensation for victims. The state’s focus on both human safety and wildlife conservation marks a crucial effort to keep Kerala’s rural communities thriving.
Source: aninews
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