The Coexistence Collective, Kerala, a broad coalition of environmental organizations and civil society groups, has called on Members of Parliament (MPs), especially senior Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, to reject Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s call to press for presidential assent to the Wildlife Protection (Kerala) Bill.
The organization has described the bill as “unlawful, unconstitutional and anti-wilderness” and says it violates federal principles, contradicts international agreements and exceeds state legislative powers. It argued that states cannot unilaterally change laws placed on the concurrent list of the Constitution.
She also warned that the amendment would not serve to alleviate human-wildlife conflict in the state. Instead, the proposed legislation may worsen the situation and intensify pressure on wildlife habitat if enacted without prior approval from the National Wildlife Council. It could also turn the state into a hotspot for wildlife exploitation.
The group also called the legislation a “gimmick” designed to appease the land, recreation, mining and encroachment lobbies, as well as some religious leaders who profit heavily from vote banks.
While invoking the legacy of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, a “landmark piece of legislation” under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, they warned against alleged attempts by the central and state governments to weaken environmental protection.
Published – 02 Dec 2025 19:38 IST
