Context:
The Kerala government has proposed amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 through a State-level Bill to address rising incidents of human-wildlife conflict, especially in rural and forest fringe areas. The Bill seeks to decentralize wildlife management powers from the Union Government to State authorities for faster decision-making.
Key Highlights / Details
- Empowering Chief Wildlife Warden
- The amendment allows the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW) to permit immediate action against wild animals that pose a threat to human life.
- Actions may include killing, tranquilizing, capturing, or translocating wild animals entering residential areas and causing injury.
- Removes the need for prior Central Government approval, which currently causes operational delays.
- State Power to Declare Vermin
- Authorizes the State Government to declare Schedule II species as “vermin” for specific regions and time periods.
- Currently, this power lies solely with the Union Government under Section 62 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Intended mainly to control wild boar populations, which cause major crop damage and have not been declared vermin by the Centre despite repeated requests.
- Once declared vermin, hunting and consumption are permitted without legal barriers.
- Transfer of Protected Species
- Proposes shifting Bonnet Macaque from Schedule I (highest protection) to Schedule II, enabling regulated control measures.
- Reason: frequent human-animal conflict and property damage caused by the species in urban and rural Kerala.
- Wildlife Population Control
- Introduces birth control measures and translocation provisions for Schedule II species.
- Decisions can be taken without Union Government sanction when population density impacts safety or ecology.
Relevant Prelims Points
- Wildlife Protection Act enacted in 1972; major amendment in 2022.
- Section 62: declaration of vermin by Union Government.
- Chief Wildlife Warden is appointed under Section 4 of the Act.
- Schedules of WPA:
- Schedule I: Highest protection (no hunting)
- Schedule II–IV: Varying degrees of protection
- Schedule V: Vermin
Relevant Mains Points
- Human-Wildlife Conflict: Rising incidents due to habitat loss, crop invasions, and forest fragmentation.
- Federalism Debate: State vs Centre powers in wildlife governance.
- Conservation vs Local Livelihoods: Balancing ecological ethics with farmer safety and economic security.
- Ethical and Environmental Concerns: Declaration of species as vermin may impact biodiversity.
- Legal Concerns: Whether State amendments conflict with a Central Act on Concurrent List subject.