KeralaState Human Rights CommissionWild Animal ReleasePublic SafetyHuman-Animal Conflicts
Kerala SHRC Orders Priority on Public Safety in Wild Animal Release
Published: May 9, 2026
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The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has ordered the Forest department to ensure public safety and transparency when capturing and releasing wild animals in forest areas. The directive, issued by SHRC judicial member K. Baijunath, emphasizes the need for effective communication with local communities and stipulates that wild animals should be released well within forest interiors.
The order was issued in response to a complaint filed by social activist P.N. Venukuttan Nair, who highlighted the risks to lives and property due to the release of wild animals in residential zones.
The commission has also called for the Forest department to adopt more robust preventive measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, including strengthening surveillance and installing solar fences and modern warning systems.
The Periyar Tiger Reserve west division deputy director has informed the panel that wild boars were captured and released in the Vattamala reserve forest area, but local residents have reported that the boars entered residential areas, creating concern.
The Forest department is expected to take the complaints seriously and conduct a proper inspection under the leadership of high-ranking officials, implementing a clear action plan to prevent such concerns from recurring. The department will also be required to submit a report on the measures taken to address the issue.