Kerala allows deployment of approved wild boar shooters across state

The Kerala government has expanded the operational jurisdiction of approved shooters appointed by local self-government institutions to eliminate nuisance wild boars, allowing them to be deployed anywhere in the state.

An order issued by the Forest and Wildlife Department on August 3 said shooters, who were earlier permitted to operate only within the administrative limits of the local body that appointed them, can now be deployed across Kerala, irrespective of district boundaries.

The government said the move was aimed at ensuring a faster and more effective response to situations involving nuisance wild boars in human habitation areas.

According to the order, local self-government institutions have been empowered to appoint approved shooters to eliminate "problem wild boars that cause loss of human life, damage to agriculture and destruction of property" in such areas. The authority granted remains valid until May 27, 2027.

Under the earlier system, each local body maintained its own panel of approved shooters, whose services could be used only within that body's administrative limits.

"It has been noticed that, in emergencies relating to human-wildlife conflict, the existing practice often becomes an obstacle to ensuring that the services of approved shooters are available effectively and in a time-bound manner across all parts of the state," the order said.

The decision follows a recommendation from the chief wildlife warden seeking permission for approved shooters to operate beyond the territorial limits of the local body that appointed them.

Accepting the recommendation, the government said the services of shooters included in the approved panel of any local self-government institution "shall not be confined to the jurisdiction of the Local Self-Government Institution concerned. 

Instead, they may be deployed, as required, anywhere across the State, irrespective of district boundaries."

The chief wildlife warden has been directed to take the necessary follow-up action to implement the order.

(Inputs from PTI)