Jose K Mani urges Centre to reform Wildlife Act

Kottayam: Kerala Congress(M) chairman Jose K Mani emphasized that resolving human-animal conflicts requires amendments to the Wildlife Act by the central govt. Speaking on Saturday, the Rajya Sabha MP highlighted the Centre's inaction despite repeated requests from the Kerala state govt and MPs.

Mani pointed out a critical contradiction in the Wildlife Protection Act: while shooting wild animals entering human settlements isn't technically illegal, the forest department files non-bailable cases against those who do so. He stressed the need for clarity on this matter.

The MP called for a central directive allowing the elimination of wildlife threatening human lives.

Despite meeting with Union minister Bhupender Yadav (Environment, Forests and Climate Change) alongside other MPs to discuss this directive, no action has been taken by the central govt thus far. PTI