No Amendments to Wildlife Act: States Urged to Utilize Existing Powers

The Indian government will not amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, to give states more power in managing wild animal attacks. Instead, states are encouraged to use existing provisions under the Act for human-wildlife conflict management. Kerala continues to urge the Centre to declare wild pigs as 'vermin.'

In a move that maintains the status quo, the Indian government informed Parliament it will not amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, to grant states more autonomy in addressing wild animal attacks. This came in response to a question from CPI-M Rajya Sabha member V Sivadasan.

Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh highlighted that wildlife protection, including conflict management, rests mainly with state governments. He pointed to existing provisions that allow for limited hunting of dangerous or diseased animals.

This decision comes despite repeated requests from Kerala to declare wild pigs as 'vermin,' a move the Centre argues could exacerbate the issue. Between 2021 and 2025, 344 people died in wildlife conflict incidents in Kerala. The Centre advises using existing Act provisions for conflict management.

(With inputs from agencies.)