Rajya Sabha member Jose K. Mani calls for setting up a tribunal for wildlife accidents

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has failed in preventing wildlife raids on human settlements, he says

Holding that the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has failed in preventing wildlife raids on human settlements, Rajya Sabha member Jose K. Mani has called for an amendment to the law and establishment of a wildlife accident claims tribunal to address losses due to wildlife attacks.

Raising the recent incident of a wild elephant trampling a five-year-old girl to death near Athirappally in the upper house of Parliament on Wednesday, Mr. Mani said the law concerned should be amended to give protection to people who attack animals in self-defence, besides enabling State governments to declare wild animals as vermin as and when the situation arises.