Ayyampuzha panchayat to appoint shooter to cull wild boars

The move follows a unanimous resolution passed by the 13-member house to cull wild boars invading crops and human settlements. | Photo Credit: File photo

The Ayyampuzha grama panchayat under the Aluva taluk in Ernakulam is set to appoint a shooter to cull marauding wild boars raiding crops and invading human settlements from a list of seven persons with licensed firearms in the panchayat limits.

The panchayat has already sourced the list of licensed shooters from the Aluva tahsildar. The list will be placed before the panchayat committee shortly to make the choice. The move follows a unanimous resolution passed by the 13-member house to cull wild boars invading crops and human settlements.

“Most of our population depends on agriculture, which has come under increasing threat from wild boars, forcing many to abandon farming. Wild boars have been destroying crops even in areas with solar fencing. Accidents caused by wild boars straying onto roads have also been widely reported,” said P.U. Jomon, president of Ayyampuzha panchayat.

The State government issued an order in May 2022 designating the heads of local self-government institutions (LSGIs), or their deputies, as honorary chief wildlife wardens to enlist empanelled shooters with licensed firearms to cull marauding wild boars and dispose of their carcasses in the presence of wildlife enforcers and independent government witnesses. This followed the Central government’s rejection of the State’s request to declare wild boars as vermin. The order has since been extended.

“My house in Ward 6 of the panchayat is a kilometre from the forest fringe. Yet, there is no respite from invading animals, including wild boars, monkeys, mountain squirrels, and even elephants. Troops of monkeys feasting on coconuts and plantains have left the coconut trees largely barren,” said K.A. Joy, a former panchayat member.

A few nights back, an elephant invaded the neighbourhood and ravaged crops before residents managed to drive it away by bursting firecrackers. Of the 13 wards in the panchayat, nine face varying levels of vulnerability to wildlife incursions.

Mr. Jomon rued that the panchayat was permitted to spend only ₹3,000 for culling a wild boar, burning its carcass, and scientifically burying it — an amount he said was inadequate.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Cabinet is exploring the legal feasibility of introducing a Bill in the next Assembly session to permit well-regulated and scientific culling of wild animals, primarily feral boars, that threaten human life, endanger habitations, and destroy farmlands across the State.

Published - June 14, 2025 07:33 pm IST