The Kerala government’s decision to intensify the “elimination” of wild boars that enter human habitations, as part of its 100-day action plan to tackle human-wildlife conflict, has sparked criticism from animal welfare groups and experts. Opposition has been further fuelled by the State’s decision to submit a revised proposal to the Centre seeking the classification of wild boars as vermin under the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WLPA), 1972.

Activists allege that the “unilateral decision” could weaken safeguards under the WLPA. Sreedevi S. Kartha, trustee of People For Animals (PFA), Thiruvananthapuram, says the order to deploy sharp-shooting special squads to carry out the mass culling of wild boars is “highly destructive and legally questionable”.

“​The matter is pending before the Kerala High Court, where at least three organisations have challenged government orders authorising local bodies to manage the wild boar issue and empowering their heads, acting as honorary wildlife wardens [HWWs], to permit culling. The WLPA empowers HWWs to support wildlife conservation and protection. It does not provide authority for issuing a blanket order permitting indiscriminate, State-wide culling of wild boars.

“As the court has directed the government to frame a scientifically backed policy, ordering mass culling without mandatory clearances or impact assessments while the case remains sub judice is legally improper,” says Ms. Kartha, who is also a trustee of Sama Srishti Federation of Animal Rights Organisations of Kerala.

Wild boars play an important role in forest ecosystems by aerating soil, aiding forest regeneration, and serving as prey for predators such as tigers and leopards. According to conservationists and experts, mass culling could disrupt ecosystems and potentially alter predator-prey dynamics, aggravating human-wildlife conflict.

A scientist at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), however, notes that while wild boars are among the species most commonly involved in human-wildlife conflicts, what is needed is a scientific and evidence-based management strategy rather than “indiscriminate killing”.

“Population control may be necessary in some situations, but culling should be considered only as a last resort and based on scientific evidence. Before any culling is undertaken, detailed studies and reliable population estimates are essential. In Kerala, such estimates are lacking for wild boars and most other wild animals,” he says.

In the case of wild boars, the scientist points out, culling is not a complete solution and may create ecological imbalances. “As an important prey species, a sharp decline in wild boar populations could push its predators closer to human settlements. A scientific management approach, including capturing wild boars and relocating them to suitable forest habitats wherever feasible, should be prioritised.”

He says that his personal observation from frequent forest visits is that wild boar numbers inside forests have declined significantly. “This is not a scientific assessment. Behavioural adaptations may explain their increasing presence near human settlements, where food is abundant and predators are absent.”

Those opposed to classifying wild boar as vermin note that once a species is declared vermin, there is virtually no control over how it is killed. It effectively means that it can be killed without meaningful regulation or oversight, they say.

Meanwhile, a top Kerala Forest department official says the revised proposal will be submitted to the Centre by Forest Minister Shibu Baby John during his upcoming visit to New Delhi.