A significant environmental collective in Kerala has made a strong appeal to the state's Members of Parliament. They are asking the MPs to firmly reject Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's recent request. The CM had asked the parliamentarians to pressure the central government for Presidential approval of the Kerala Wildlife (Protection) Bill.
Coexistence Kerala's Strong Opposition
The group, known as Coexistence Kerala, has specifically addressed all Kerala MPs. They have particularly highlighted Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi in their appeal. The environmentalists have labeled the state-passed Bill as fundamentally flawed. They argue it is illegal, unconstitutional, and ultimately harmful to wildlife.
Their core legal argument states that the Bill violates the federal structure of India's governance. They point out that states do not have the unilateral power to amend laws listed in the concurrent list. Furthermore, the collective asserts that the proposed legislation contradicts international environmental agreements that India is part of.
Warnings of Worsening Conflict and Exploitation
The activists have issued a stark warning about the Bill's potential consequences. They firmly believe it will not achieve its stated goal of reducing human-animal conflicts. Instead, they fear it will significantly worsen the situation across Kerala.
One of their major concerns involves procedural bypass. They stress that enacting such a bill without the mandatory prior approval of the National Board for Wildlife would set a dangerous precedent. This could, in their view, transform Kerala into a hotspot for wildlife exploitation and unchecked commercial activities.
Allegations of Political Motives and Undermining Protections
Coexistence Kerala has not minced words regarding the perceived motives behind the Bill. They describe it as a political gimmick designed to appease powerful interest groups. These groups allegedly include the land-resort-mining-encroachment lobby and certain religious leaders in the high-range areas. The aim, they claim, is purely for vote-bank politics.
The collective accuses the Kerala Legislative Assembly of attempting to undermine the longstanding Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. They credit the environmental laws from the 1970s with safeguarding India's clean air, water, and vital natural resources for agriculture. Their final appeal is a call to protect these critical safeguards from being diluted by both state and central governments.
This appeal comes directly in response to Chief Minister Vijayan's letters sent to MPs last week. In his communication, the CM argued that the 1972 Act contains numerous obstacles in its Section 11. He stated that the state's amendment bill was passed specifically to ease these obstacles and improve wildlife management.
