Kerala authorizes rifle clubs to cull wild boars amid shooter shortage

The Kerala Forest Department has approved the use of rifle clubs to address a shortage of authorised shooters needed for wild boar culling. A circular formalising the decision will be circulated to local self‑government institutions, allowing them to employ members of the state’s 20 rifle clubs, which operate under the State Rifle Association and its district‑level bodies.

The Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) serves as ex‑officio president of the State Rifle Association, while district collectors and district police chiefs hold the same positions in the district associations. Forest Minister Shibu Baby John clarified that a shooter authorised by one local body can obtain permission from any other local self‑government institution, dispelling rumours of any restriction.

The State Rifle Association has also urged the government to introduce a single‑window approval system for shooters across Kerala, arguing that the current requirement for separate approvals from each local body creates administrative hurdles.