Thu Feb 05 16:04:08 UTC 2026: ### Kerala Eases Sandalwood Cutting Restrictions, Wildlife Bill Awaits Presidential Assent

The Story:

The Kerala government has taken steps to amend laws regarding the harvesting of sandalwood and the protection of wildlife. The Kerala (Forest) Amendment Bill, which relaxes restrictions on cutting sandalwood trees on private plots, has received assent from Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. This is expected to boost sandalwood cultivation and provide economic benefits to farmers. Meanwhile, the Wild Life Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill, which seeks to amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972, has been referred to the President for assent. This bill aims to empower the Chief Wildlife Warden to authorize the killing of wild animals that pose a threat to humans and also allows the state to declare certain wild animals as vermin.

Key Points:

  • The Kerala (Forest) Amendment Bill eases restrictions on cutting sandal trees on private lands.
  • Landowners can now sell sandalwood trees through the Forest department.
  • The amendment is linked to the ‘Tree Banking’ scheme.
  • The government will allow settling minor sandalwood theft offences with a fine, subject to court consent.
  • The Wild Life Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill has been referred to the President.
  • The Wildlife Bill allows the Chief Wildlife Warden to order the killing of dangerous wild animals.
  • The state government can declare animals in Schedule II of the Act as vermin.

Critical Analysis: (Omitted as the provided historical context is unrelated.)

Key Takeaways:

  • Kerala is actively seeking to promote sandalwood cultivation for economic gain through legislative changes.
  • The government is attempting to balance environmental protection with the safety of its citizens concerning wild animal attacks.
  • The amendment to the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 suggests a growing concern regarding human-wildlife conflict within the state.
  • The need for Presidential assent for amending a central act highlights the complexities of federal-state legislative interactions.

Impact Analysis: (Omitted as the provided historical context is unrelated and insufficient to gauge long-term implications).

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