Kerala Agriculture Minister P. Prasad suggested that allowing people to consume the meat of wild boars killed in agricultural areas could help control the growing wild boar menace and reduce crop damage. He made the remarks during a programme organised by the Paalamel Village Panchayat in Alappuzha district, where farmers have been facing increasing losses from wild animals entering fields.
Prasad said wild boars are not an endangered species, but existing wildlife laws restrict their killing and consumption. His remarks sparked debate, with the issue highlighting the wider challenge of human-wildlife conflict, crop destruction and farmer safety in Kerala. The state has also been seeking greater flexibility in managing wild boars that threaten agriculture and people.