Questioning the legitimacy of an order passed by the Kerala government that authorised the heads of local self-government institutions to act as honorary wildlife wardens to cull wild boars that strayed into human settlements, destroyed crops, or posed a threat to life or property, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the government to file an affidavit within two weeks, stating its policy on the matter.

The policy ought to state how the Chief Wildlife Warden would have to exercise his powers under Section 11 of the Wildlife Protection Act, when permitting the hunting of animals that intruded into specified areas.

The court further said that, under Section 11 of the Act, a person authorised by the Chief Wildlife Warden to hunt animals in specified areas must possess certain qualifications and inspire confidence in the Chief Wildlife Warden. The blanket order issued by the government did not identify any such authorised persons by name or qualification but merely stated that the heads of local self-government institutions, it observed.

The court’s directive came while considering a petition filed by M.N. Jayachandran of Idukki, challenging the impugned order.

The court had in 2021 permitted the killing of wild boars in the agricultural land of a few farmers, as the steps taken by the State government to curb the menace had not yielded the desired results.