'Killing & Culling Wild Animals Not A Panacea': Kerala HC Suggests State To Formulate Policy To Deal With Growing Human-Animal Conflict

The Kerala High Court recently emphasized the need for the Government to formulate a policy to manage human-animal conflict and noted the increasing rate of incidents to point out that a comprehensive policy was required to address the conflict between humans and animals.

“Killing and culling of wild animals, which trespass into human habitat, as the sole method of defence can never be thought of as a panacea” stated Justice Devan Ramachandran.

The court was considering a plea seeking a stay on the implementation of an order issued by the 5th respondent (Chief Conservator and Chief Wildlife Warden) which permitted forest officials to shoot wild pigs that enter into and cause damage to human settlements and agriculture.

Justice Ramachandran went on to observe that if action was not taken at present, it might become difficult, if not impossible, in a few years, with the number of instances going up.

Accordingly, the court appointed Advocate Georgie Johny to assist the court as an amicus curiae in the matter and requested the government to inform the court of the policy adopted to deal with the issue.

The matter has been posted for hearing on March 12th, 2024.

Case Title: M. N Jayachandran & anr. v. Union of India & ors.

Case Number: WP(C) No. 36422 of 2023

Click here to read/download the order