Kerala passes resolution requesting Union govt. to amend wildlife Act
- The Kerala Legislative Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution urging the Central government to suitably amend the Wildlife Protection Act to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.
Key highlights
- Wildlife intrusions in habitations abutting forests and lethal attacks on residents had impelled the government to request the Centre to make the law more contemporary.
- The resolution demanded that the Central law empower Chief Forest Conservators to use lethal force to liquidate wild animals
- That trespass on residential localities and pose an imminent threat to human life.
- The resolution demanded the Central government declare wild pigs as vermin.
- It also requested the Centre to initiate scientific and humane measures to control the wildlife population.
- The resolution was paramount to the State, given that forests covered 30% of its geographical expanse.
- UDF had blamed forest officials for not taking pre-emptive action to insulate residential localities from potentially lethal wildlife intrusions in Wayanad.
The Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972
- It provides a legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals and plants, management of their habitats, regulation
- And control of trade in wild animals, plants, and products made from them
- The act also lists schedules of plants and animals that are afforded varying degrees of protection and monitoring by the government.
- India's entry to the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) was made easier by the Wildlife Act.
- Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir was not covered by the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
- The Indian Wildlife Protection Act now applies to J&K as a result of the reorganisation act.
Prelims takeaway
- Wildlife Protection Act
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)