Kerala farmers can kill wild boars

[Mrudul Godbole]

Permission to shoot wild boars ..

Kerala farmers can kill wild boars

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Cabinet on Wednesday decided to grant special permission for killing wild boars that destroyed crops.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told journalists after the Cabinet meeting that farmers would be allowed to kill wild boars attacking their crops subject to stringent conditions.

Permission for this would have to be obtained from forest officials and the permits would carry clear stipulations. The carcasses of the boars should be burnt and not used as meat.

The Chief Minister said attacks by wild animals caused crop loss running to crores of rupees in the State. There were also threats to life of farmers living near forests. A committee, constituted by the previous government, had recommended granting of permission to kill wild animals for the sole purpose of protecting crops. The Cabinet had sanctioned Rs.70 lakh to provide compensation to the fishermen, whose nets were damaged by puffer fish. The government would provide 75 per cent of the cost to buy new nets.

Link - http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/16/stor...1659512000.htm

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Unfortunately, the Kerala Government has again ordered culling. In 2009 it was culling of cormorants. At that time our members and various bird groups had voiced their protests. This time the protests are muted. Is this because a wild boar is a less glamorous creature?