Norms on shooting crop-raiding animals to be eased

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,  
The Hindu, November 6, 2014

Norms on shooting of wild animals which pose a threat to crops on farmlands bordering forest areas will be relaxed, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said.

He told mediapersons after a Cabinet meeting here on Wednesday that in the wake of increasing man-animal conflicts and the recent death of a farmer following a wild boar attack in Kannur, the Cabinet decided to relax the norms. Though the farmers in vulnerable zones are licensed to wield guns, the stringent norms prevented them from using it for self-protection. Hence, it had been decided to relax the norms, he said.

Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan had been asked to hold discussions with Forest Department officials and representatives of farmers on the practical problems faced by them. After the discussions, Mr. Radhakrishnan would present suggestions to the Cabinet. The protocol to be followed after firing would not be relaxed, he said. The Cabinet decided to provide 5 acres from the plot owned by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation at Kinaloor for constructing a government college at Balussery. Rs.one crore would be provided for a drinking water scheme in the Changanassery municipality. An interim relief of Rs.2,000 would be given to the workers of Aaralam farm, Mr. Chandy said.

Following a surge of requests, the cut-off age for securing membership in the Pravasi Welfare Fund Board had been raised from 55 to 60 years.