Context:
Kerala wants the Centre to amend the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
Why Kerala wants to amend the Act?
- To address the escalating man-animal conflict in the state.
- Kerala wants the Centre to declare wild boar as vermin, as per section 62 of the Wildlife Protection Act. According to this section, the Union Government can notify any wild animal in Schedule II of the Act (which protects it from hunting), as vermin for a period of time in an area/state.
- The state government wanted the powers to be given to the chief wildlife warden be delegated to the chief forest conservators for taking immediate steps.
Vermin:
- An animal is declared as vermin when it poses threat to life and crops.
- Once declared as vermin, the animal would lose its protection from hunting, thus enabling the state and citizens to cull particular animal population to protect against the menace the species poses to life and livelihood.
Wild Boar:
- Native to – Eurasia and North Africa
- Largest of the wild pigs
- Significance –
- They are swift, nocturnal, and omnivorous and are good swimmers.
- They possess sharp tusks, and, although they are normally unaggressive, they can be dangerous.
- IUCN status – Least Concerned
- Other common names – Wild boar, wild hog, feral pig, feral hog, Old World swine, razorback, Eurasian wild boar, Russian wild boar
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements:
1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government.
2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.
3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d)3 only
Answer: (b)
Statement 1 is not correct:
As per the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, wild animals are not the sole property of the government
Statement 3 is not correct:
Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is not the sufficient ground for its capture or killing.
