Panchayats to get 1 lakh Rupees for killing wild boars

Thiruvananthapuram: Local bodies will be allotted up to 1 lakh rupees per year from the disaster relief fund to shoot and kill wild boars that enter human settlements and cause damage to life and property.

The government has directed local body authorities to pay licensed shooters 1500 rupees for killing a wild boar and an additional 2000 rupees for its disposal.

As per the Wildlife Protection Act, only the Chief Wildlife Warden or authorised officers can issue the order to shoot wild boars. Panchayat presidents, municipality chairpersons, and corporation mayors have been designated as Honorary Wildlife Wardens, and the secretaries of panchayats, municipalities, and corporations have been appointed as authorised officers.

These officials must record the reasons and issue the order for killing. District collectors have also been instructed to convene monthly meetings to effectively address wildlife issues.