Palakkad: P C George MLA has offered a ‘solution’ to the rising threat faced by farmers and other people living near forests from wild animals: “The Kerala Forest Department itself should take the initiative to hunt wild animals like bison, wild boar and sambar deer and sell their meat.”
George explained the benefits of his suggestion. “This will not only bring a good income to the Forest Department but also save the farmers,” he said.
According to the Kerala Janapaksham leader, officials of the Kerala Forest Department should pick up a few lessons from countries like Australia. “There, even the meat of the national animal, kangaroo, is available in the market,” he said.
“Kerala should send Forest Department officers to foreign countries to learn how to control the population of wild animals,” George felt.
Keralites are paying a big price for being law-abiding citizen, he opined. “This has made people here vulnerable to attacks of wild beasts,” George commented.
“This is not an open call to poach elephants; but unless effective steps are taken to prevent the damage caused to life, property and crops by wild beasts, a massive farmers’ stir will be organized to force the government’s hand,” the MLA warned.
George, inaugurating a meeting of district leaders of his party here, also said that some changes were being witnessed in the state under the Pinarayi Vijayan government. “The administration should continue along the same track. However, it should ensure that development takes place in Malabar area also,” he added.
