Kerala Human-Wildlife Crisis: Governor Forwards Landmark Amendment Bill as Hunger Strike Enters Ninth Day
KOTTAYAM, KERALA — The agrarian crisis in Kerala has reached a constitutional turning point. As of February 14, 2026, the Karshaka Swaraj Satyagraha has entered its ninth day, with veteran Gandhian activist Sunny Paikada continuing an indefinite hunger strike in Erattupetta.
Gandhian activis Sunny Paikada on hunger strike in Erattupetta.
The protest, which began as a localized movement in Vellarikkundu, is now a statewide demand for the immediate implementation of the Wildlife Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill, 2025.
In a significant development, Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has officially agreed to forward the state’s proposed amendment to the Central Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 to the President of India for final assent.
This move follows intense pressure from the state cabinet and ongoing protests. The bill is a first-of-its-kind attempt by an Indian state to amend central wildlife legislation to allow for:
* Immediate Lethal Action: Empowering the Chief Wildlife Warden to order the killing of dangerous animals in residential areas without bureaucratic delays.
* Vermin Status: Giving the state the power to declare species like wild boars as “vermin” under Schedule II.
* Birth Control & Translocation: Implementing scientific population management to prevent forest-fringe incursions.
The Human Cost: A Statistical Crisis
The Satyagraha is fueled by a staggering rise in casualties. Between 2020 and 2024, Kerala recorded:
* 460 human deaths due to wildlife attacks.
* 4,527 serious injuries reported across the state.
* Palakkad District remains the hardest hit, accounting for 101 of those fatalities.
Current Protest Status (February 2026)
The hunger strike in Erattupetta has drawn support from the Erattupetta Bar Association and the Kottayam Zilla Panchayat, who warn that the health of 70-year-old Sunny Paikada is deteriorating.
Simultaneously, the Kerala government has suspended firearms license restrictions to facilitate more licensed shooters in participating in wild boar culling operations—a move seen as a partial victory for the Satyagrahis but “not enough” according to the Satyagraha Samiti.
“We are not just fighting for our crops; we are fighting for the right to exist in our own homes,” said a spokesperson for the Gandhian Collective. “The state has passed the bill; now the President must sign it to save lives.”
FAQ
Q: Has the Wildlife Protection Act been amended yet?
A: The Kerala Assembly passed the Wildlife Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill, 2025 in October 2025. As of February 2026, it is awaiting the President’s Assent after being forwarded by the Governor.
Q: Can farmers now shoot wild boars in Kerala?
A: Yes, local bodies have authorization for culling, and the government recently (February 11, 2026) suspended restrictive firearms license orders to make more shooters available.
Q: Who is leading the current hunger strike?
A: Sunny Paikada, a senior Gandhian activist, is leading the indefinite fast in Erattupetta, Kottayam.
