According to MP, the issue of wild boar menace in Kerala is something that is fabricated and the cabinet’s decision can impact the country as a whole.

She said that wild boars play their part in maintaining the equilibrium in the environment. She pointed out that Kerala has been facing natural calamities like floods and the present decision will only aggravate such issues. “I don’t think farmers in Kerala or anywhere else would wish to kill wild boar. In fact, poachers are behind this demand. They are just using farmers as their shields,” she said.

Menaka Gandhi during her interview with Mathrubhumi News maintained that she is talking for the people of Kerala. She attributed pigs in the farms near the forest fringes as a reason for the crop loss. “I think people in Kerala cannot differentiate between pigs and wild boars. Both are different. In my opinion prevention measures should be ensured at these farms,” she said.She added that she has doubts whether Kerala has data on the number of wild boars. “At first we need to have a scientific approach. Then only we have to reach the conclusion that killing is needed,” she pointed out.

Reacting to Menaka Gandhi’s take, Thamarassery Bishop Remigius Maria Paul Inchananiyil said that a farmer who enjoys amenities of a big house can make such comments, while for farmers who face the heat will require help of such a decision. He added that “she should be chained”. Menaka Gandhi refused to react to his comments.

Meanwhile, Kerala cabinet on Wednesday had decided to empower the local bodies to cull the wild boars. The cabinet has been planning to bring an ordinance that would give honorary Chief Wildlife Warden post to grama panchayat president, municipal chairman and corporation mayor so that they use the same power of State Chief Wild Warden under Section 11-B (1) of the Wildlife (Protection). That means grama panchayat president, municipal chairman and corporation mayor can authorise culling of such an animal.

It may be noted that the Centre earlier had rejected the state’s request seeking permission to cull wild boars. The Centre then maintained that allowing citizens will be counterproductive and can cause more harm.

Last year, Forest Minister AK Saseendran had informed that the state government as part of giving its opinions and recommendations to the Parliamentary Standing Committee which has been examining the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021, had urged the Centre to entrust it the power to declare wild animals, including wild boars, as vermin.