Plea seeks culling of wild animals if needed (Kochi) Times of India April 3, 2024 A rubber planter has approached the high court seeking a directive to the authorities to shoot wild animals on sight that are roaming in human habitats and posing a threat to human life. The petitioner, TV George of Kochi, is also seeking directions to the wildlife authorities to reduce the number of wild animals by allowing their culling, as practised internationally. The bench of Justice T R Ravi admitted the petition and directed to issue notices to the state and the Union govts. The petitioner stated that he has six acres of rubber plantation at Panathady village in Kasaragod and it was very difficult to carry out tapping operations as his workers were afraid of the potential threat of wild animal attacks. He also contended that since the promulgation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act in 1972, the growth rate of wild animals has not been controlled or curtailed. Now wild animals such as elephants, tigers, bison, wild boar, etc., are creating very serious issues, and many people are being killed or badly injured. The petitioner also wanted to conduct a full-fledged survey of wild animals in India, and if their numbers were found to be higher than the capacity of the land, culling should be allowed to reduce the numbers. According to the petitioner, Section 11 of the Act allows only the chief wildlife warden to grant permission to hunt wild animals that are dangerous to human life and this section should be quashed as it was against fundamental rights. The plea also says that the power to issue permits to kill dangerous wild animals should be given to district collectors and divisional forest officers. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/plea-seeks-culling-of-wild-animals-if-needed/articleshow/108988164.cms