Fed up with wild animal attacks, panchayat in Kerala’s Kozhikode decides to shoot them

Chakkittapara grama panchayat in Kerala plans to shoot wild animals in response to frequent attacks on residents.

A grama panchayat in Kozhikode district of Kerala has decided to shoot down wild animals if they are found anywhere in human habitations.

The Chakkittapara grama panchayat here is planning to have around 20 empanelled shooters for the purpose in the wake of the frequent and recurring attacks by leopards, tigers, wild boars, bisons, and wild elephants on the people and their properties.

The 15-member panchayat body unanimously passed a resolution for the purpose on Tuesday (March 4).

Around 60% of the 145.45 sq. km area in the panchayat is forest land. As many as 10 wards are surrounded by forests too.

Killing wild animals, however, is a cognisable offence in the country according to the Wildlife Protection Act. 1972. In Kerala, wild boars that pose a threat to human life can be killed by licenced shooters with the permission of the respective local bodies and the Forest department. The panchayat secretary has reportedly written a dissent note against the decision.

Minister for Forest and Wildlife A.K. Saseendran told The Hindu on Wednesday that it was “up to the panchayat” to check if their decision, which is illegal as per the current laws, “was correct or not”. They may seek legal recourse on the issue, he added.

Meanwhile, K. Sunil, president of the panchayat, claimed that there was “nothing emotional” in their decision. He said that the farmers were disillusioned as they were unable to protect their livelihood from wild animal attacks.