NewKerala.com

Key Points

Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad has sparked controversy by suggesting that allowing people to eat wild boar meat could solve the state's crop destruction problem. Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran responded by ordering a detailed report on the matter and promising appropriate action. Prasad made these remarks while criticizing forest department officials for negligence in handling compensation cases. This comes as Kerala recently passed new wildlife protection amendments to address rising human-animal conflicts across the state.

Key Points: Kerala Minister P Prasad Wants Wild Boar Meat to Curb Menace

  • Minister Prasad suggests wild boar consumption to solve crop damage crisis
  • Forest Minister Saseendran orders detailed report on the controversial statement
  • Wild boars now attacking people in addition to destroying farmlands
  • Kerala recently passed Wildlife Protection Amendment Act to address human-animal conflicts
2 min read

Kerala Minister P. Prasad wants people to eat wild boars to curb menace, forest minister orders probe

Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad suggests eating wild boars to solve crop destruction, while Forest Minister Saseendran orders probe into the controversial statement.

"My personal opinion is that if people are allowed to eat the boars they kill, the problem would end quickly - P. Prasad"

Thiruvananthapuram, October 14

Kerala Minister for Forests and Wildlife Protection A.K. Saseendran reacted to State Minister P. Prasad's statement on allowing people to eat wild boar meat to solve the crop destruction problem by assuring that he will get a detailed report and look into the matter.

"Kerala Agriculture Minister Mr P. Prasad made a statement on the ignorance and delay of the government officers...if the statement has something to do with the forest department, then we will try to get a detailed report of that issue and we will sort it out...I am trying to get a detailed report and after that we will take appropriate action," A.K. Saseendran stated to ANI.

Saseendran's statement follows the remarks of Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad, who said that permitting people to consume wild boar meat could help curb the increasing menace of wild boars damaging farmlands across the State.

The minister made the comment on Saturday while inaugurating a local project implemented by the Paalamel village panchayat in Alapuzha to protect farmlands from wild animal attacks.

"The wild boar menace has reached a point where the animals are attacking people in several areas. My personal opinion is that if people are allowed to eat the boars they kill, the problem would end quickly. But, due to central laws, that is not possible. Wild boars are not an endangered species," the minister said.

During the event, Minister Prasad publicly rebuked forest department officials for alleged negligence, citing a case in which the family of a man killed in a wild boar attack had not received compensation even after five years.

The Kerala Assembly had on October 8 passed the Wildlife Protection (Kerala Amendment) Act, 2025, which aims to address the rising incidents of human-animal conflicts in the State.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a post on the social media platform X on October 9, said that the passing of the Kerala Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill marks a major step towards addressing rising human-animal conflicts and ensuring justice for forest-edge communities.

He said that Kerala has become the first state to pass a Bill amending the Central Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The Kerala Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill, along with the Forest Amendment Bill, marks a major step towards addressing rising human-animal conflicts and ensuring justice for forest-edge communities.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I understand the farmer's plight, promoting consumption of wild animals sets a dangerous precedent. There must be better solutions like better fencing and compensation systems.
M
Michael C
The real issue here is the 5-year delay in compensation! That's absolutely unacceptable. The forest department needs to be more accountable to the people they serve.
A
Anjali F
As someone from a farming family in Kerala, I've seen the destruction firsthand. Wild boars have become fearless and attack even during daytime. Something needs to be done urgently! 🙏
S
Suresh O
Good that Kerala is taking initiative with the amendment bill. Other states facing similar problems should learn from this. Human-wildlife conflict is a serious issue across India.
K
Kavya N
Minister Prasad's suggestion might sound radical, but desperate times call for desperate measures. When farmers' livelihoods are at stake, we need practical solutions, not just theoretical ones.

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