The Kerala Assembly on Wednesday passed the Wild Life Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Kerala Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the absence of United Democratic Front (UDF) Opposition members, who boycotted the proceedings over the alleged gold theft at Sabarimala.Forests Minister A.K. Saseendran described the Wild Life Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill, 2025, as a milestone initiative, stating that Kerala is the first State in India to introduce such an amendment to the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.Time consumingAccording to him, the existing procedures under the Central Act and its associated Standard Operating Procedures are often impractical and time-consuming. The amendment aims to enable quick action in emergency situations, especially when lives are at risk.The proposed legislation would enable the Chief Wildlife Warden to authorise immediate action, including killing animals, without unnecessary delay, at times when people suffer serious injuries in a wildlife attack, following which the District Collector or Chief Conservator of Forests reports the incident for necessary action.The Bill also includes provision for population control and relocation of species listed in Schedule II, such as wild boars and leopards, without requiring Central government approval. Besides, the new Bill would also empower the State government to declare a species as ‘vermin’ if its population becomes unmanageable. Presently, only the Centre has the authority for the purpose. Once declared vermin, such species can be killed by any means, and their meat may also be consumed, subject to applicable laws, the Minister stated.Explaining the necessity behind the legislation, Mr. Saseendran said that the Centre had refused to grant permission to declare wild boars as vermin despite repeated pleas from the State, including Assembly resolutions. This prompted the State to proceed independently.The Bill also proposes shifting ‘Bonnet Macaque’ from Schedule I to Schedule II to permit population control of the species and, if necessary, declaring them vermin.Mr. Saseendran highlighted that the Bill will come into effect only upon receiving Presidential assent, after being forwarded through the Governor, as it involves amendments to the Central law.Forest amendment BillThe Kerala Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2025, primarily introduces provisions regarding the harvesting and sale of sandalwood trees on private land. Previously, landowners were legally liable even if sandalwood trees on their land were stolen, deterring farmers from cultivating sandalwood. The amendment will allow sandalwood trees to be felled and sold through the Forest department, ensuring that profits reach the farmer. The move is bound to encourage sandalwood cultivation across the State, Mr. Saseendran pointed out.The Bill also contains a provision to compound minor forest-related offences with court approval, thereby enabling offenders to avoid imprisonment by paying fines. It also changes the designation of forest watchers to Forest Beat Assistant, and curbs their to arrest those involved in forest-related crimes. Published - October 08, 2025 08:29 pm IST