Kerala Panchayat’s decision to kill wildlife straying into human habitat triggers legal backlash
Kerala Panchayat’s decision to kill wildlife straying into human habitat
triggers legal backlash
K A Shaji, Down to Earth
March 17, 2025
A village Panchayat in Kerala has sparked a legal showdown with the state
forest department by proposing an unprecedented plan: appointing
sharpshooters to kill wild animals that stray into human settlements. The
move, aimed at tackling escalating human-wildlife conflicts, has triggered
outrage among conservationists and set the stage for a courtroom battle
over India’s wildlife protection laws.
Nearly a week has passed since the Chakkittapara village Panchayat,
situated on the eastern fringes of Kozhikode district bordering the hilly
Wayanad, passed a resolution declaring zero tolerance towards foraging wild
animals. The Panchayat claims these animals pose a significant threat to
the lives and property of the local community.
This is the first instance of a local authority in India deciding to kill
wildlife in defiance of legal protections.
Located in the foothills of the Western Ghats, Chakkittapara is the
third-largest village Panchayat in Kerala by land area, with 60 per cent of
its expanse designated as reserve forests. The region, home to settler
farmers cultivating cash crops, has been a hotspot for human-animal
conflict over the past decade, exacerbated by climate change, shifting land
use patterns, and changes in the food security cycle of local forests.
The ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Panchayat passed a
resolution to create a list of sharpshooters authorised to kill wildlife
that stray into human settlements. The motion received unanimous support,
including from opposition Congress members.
However, the state forest department has strongly opposed the resolution,
deeming it illegal and in violation of several laws, including the Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972. This Act prohibits the hunting and killing of wild
animals except in specific and unavoidable circumstances, such as when an
animal poses a direct threat to human life or is severely disabled or
diseased and only with permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden.
The forest department has written to the state government’s Home
Department, urging legal proceedings against the Panchayat for disregarding
conservation laws.
Meanwhile, the Panchayat is preparing to approach the High Court to contest
the forest department's decision to freeze the resolution. It also plans to
challenge the 1972 Act in court, arguing that it is impractical for densely
populated forest fringe areas like Chakkittapara.
Panchayat president K Sunil told this reporter that the empanelled list
would consist of 21 sharpshooters, who would take turns protecting the
village around the clock.
“Five sharpshooters have already agreed to work for us if we provide them
with official assignments. A Gram Sabha meeting next week will finalise the
process,and we will not back down. I am ready to face the consequences of
using shooters to eliminate foraging animals,” he said.
“While implementing the decision may be challenging, we are determined to
proceed. If legal cases are filed, we will fight them. This decision
prioritises people’s safety,” Sunil added.
Kerala’s Chief Wildlife Warden, Pramod G Krishnan, has written to the
additional chief secretary of the forest and wildlife department,
recommending the cancellation of the honorary wildlife warden powers
granted to the Chakkittapara Panchayat president.
“The Panchayat’s decision to indiscriminately kill wild animals, including
endangered and protected species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972,
is unconstitutional undermines the rule of law, and misleads the public,"
Krishnan stated.
Panchayat president K Sunil (inset) has stated he is ready to face the
consequences of using shooters to eliminate foraging wildlife.
Chief Wildlife Warden also noted that his department has raised the issue
with the Local Self-Government Department to ensure that powers granted to
local bodies are not misused. Under Indian law, hunting, capturing,
killing, poisoning, snaring, and trapping wild animals is a serious crime,
punishable by long prison sentences and heavy fines.
Sunil maintained that the Panchayat's sharpshooters will target animals
such as tigers, panthers, wild elephants, bison, gaurs, wild boars, and
peacocks if they stray from forests, raid crops, or threaten human lives.
“We have faced wild animal attacks for over 30 years. Enough is enough,” he
said.
“We will instruct our shooters to kill any wild animals entering human
habitats. This is not an emotional decision—people here are contemplating
suicide due to the hardships caused by wild animals. Hence, the decision
was unanimous," he added.
A video justifying the move, created by Sunil, is making rounds of social
media.
Panchayat president K Sunil (inset) has stated he is ready to face the
consequences of using shooters to eliminate foraging wildlife.
In 2022, the Kerala Cabinet authorised local bodies to cull wild boars that
damage crops and property or threaten human safety. However, the use of
poisoning, electrocution, or explosives remains strictly prohibited. It is
also illegal to kill any other wild animals.
Chippi Manoj, vice president of the Panchayat, told this reporter that the
newly formed sharpshooter panel would also address issues caused by other
animals.
“Apart from boars, monkeys and elephants create significant problems for
residents. About 60 per cent of the Panchayat's 145.45 square kilometre
area is forested, with ten of its wards bordering forests,” Manoj explained.
According to the Wildlife Protection Act, only the Chief Wildlife Warden
can authorise the killing of a wild animal. Section 11 of the Act states:
“..no wild animal shall be ordered to be killed unless the Chief Wild Life
Warden is satisfied that such animal cannot be captured, tranquilised or
translocated.”
Minister for Forest and Wildlife AK Saseendran acknowledged to this
reporter that while the Panchayat is responsible for its actions, its
resolution is illegal under existing laws. He noted the Panchayat has the
right to seek legal recourse.
Panchayat president K Sunil (inset) has stated he is ready to face the
consequences of using shooters to eliminate foraging wildlife.
Until recently, the state government had planned to establish a tiger
safari park in Chakkittapara. However, the project was abandoned due to
opposition from residents concerned about their safety.
The forest department has issued a notice to the secretary of the
Chakkittapara Gram Panchayat, demanding an explanation for its
controversial decision to allow the shooting of wild animals. The secretary
has responded that he opposed the resolution during the Panchayat meeting.