Kerala Agriculture Minister P. Prasad has stirred controversy with his recent statement suggesting that the problem of wild boars destroying crops could be better managed if people were allowed to consume wild boar meat.
Speaking at an event organized by the Paalamel village panchayat in Alappuzha district, the minister said that under the current central law, consuming wild boar meat is not permitted.
“In my opinion, people should be allowed to eat the meat of wild boars killed in agricultural fields,” Prasad stated.
“If people have permission to kill and consume wild boars, the issue could be resolved much faster. But the present law prohibits it,” he added.
The minister also noted that wild boars are not an endangered species, suggesting that controlled hunting and consumption could help curb their population while benefiting farmers whose crops are regularly damaged.
Prasad’s comments come shortly after the Kerala Assembly passed a bill amending the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, aiming to address the rising cases of human-animal conflict across the state.
His remarks have since sparked a debate among environmentalists, farmers, and animal rights activists over how best to balance wildlife protection with the livelihood concerns of rural communities.
