Environmental organizations and civil society groups across Kerala are strongly denouncing the proposed Wildlife Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill, 2025. They describe the bill as a backward step, lacking scientific basis, and posing a significant threat to the state’s natural heritage.
The ‘Coexistence Collective, Kerala’ argues that, contrary to its stated goals, the bill undermines both human and wildlife welfare. They assert it’s a product of political distortion, ecologically reckless, and sidesteps established expert bodies.
In a public statement, the collective criticized the state government for abandoning scientific principles, ignoring statutory institutions, and failing to uphold its constitutional and legal duties. They claim these actions are a desperate attempt at ‘reckless political populism’ designed to falsely address human-wildlife conflicts.
The collective highlights that the bill is devoid of any scientific basis, having been introduced without consulting wildlife experts, biologists, research institutions, or prominent conservation groups. There has been no ecological assessment or research to support its proposed measures. They warn that this lack of informed decision-making could intensify conflicts and lead to irreversible environmental harm.
Furthermore, they point out that the Chief Wildlife Warden, a key statutory authority under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, has been completely bypassed. Reportedly, no input, either written or verbal, was sought from this senior official, casting serious doubt on the legitimacy of the entire legislative process.
A major concern raised by the group is the bill’s alleged proposal to grant broad powers to kill wild animals suspected of harming humans. They caution that this ‘shoot-first’ mentality disregards potential misidentification, could lead to the indiscriminate killing of endangered species, and would bypass crucial safeguards within the existing Wildlife (Protection) Act and National Tiger Conservation Authority guidelines.
Moreover, deep concerns have been voiced regarding the proposed transfer of power from the central government to the state to declare any species as ‘vermin.’ If enacted, this could enable mass culling driven by local political agendas, severely disrupting ecological balance and violating international environmental treaties like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and CITES.
Critics also argue that the bill fails to address the fundamental causes of human-wildlife conflict, including habitat destruction, quarrying, deforestation, and uncontrolled land use.
The list of signatories includes prominent figures such as N. Badusha, President of Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshana Samithi; M.N. Jayachandran, Idukki District Secretary of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA); and environmental activists like Veena Maruthoor, T.V. Rajan, E. Kunhikrishnan, Sridhar Radhakrishnan, and S. Usha.