Kerala’s wild boar invasion: Farmers abandon crops as feral menace spreads across 11 districts

Wild boar menace threatens farmers in Kerala, prompting government action and challenges in controlling the population.

Asokan, a 54-year-old rubber tapper in Pullumpara panchayat in Nedumangadu taluk, says the dread of wild boars has swamped the tiny hamlet on the banks of upstream Vamanapuram river. He says wild boars foray out of the government’s nearby Manchiyam reserve in droves, imperilling human life and posing an almost existential threat to local farmers. 

“People have practically stopped cultivating tapioca and pineapple, leaving large swathes of agricultural land untended and overgrown. Most have abandoned replanting rubber in their small holdings, given that wild boars have acquired a newfound taste for the saplings and bark,” he added.  

Asokan’s words seemed to reflect the predicament small-scale farmers face in at least 11 districts in the State.

Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran told The Hindu that the wild boar menace affected an estimated 243 panchayats spread across 54 Assembly constituencies in the State. 

“In 2022, the Kerala government nominated panchayat presidents as honorary Chief Wildlife Wardens to eliminate wild boars menacing human habitations and destroying crops. However, many panchayats are not taking the necessary steps, though there are some notable exceptions.” 

Mr. Saseendran said the Centre’s reluctance to declare wild boars as vermin posed some legal challenges. “Empanelled shooters with licensed weapons are at a premium. Moreover, some panchayats seemed to delay the payments for killing boars (₹1000) and burying the carcasses (₹1,500). Despite the snags in the system, the government could eliminate an estimated 5,600 feral boars since 2022,” he added. 

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said raiding wild animals, chiefly feral boars and wild elephants, have destroyed an estimated 9,000 hectares of tubers, paddies, rubber, and cassava in the past two years, exacerbating the agrarian crisis.