**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1287, addressed on July 28, 2025, regarding ethical culling or scientific sterilization programs for overpopulated wild species like monkeys and neelgai in conflict-affected areas, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, stated the following:
The management of wildlife, including mitigation of human-animal conflicts, falls primarily under the responsibility of the concerned State Government/Union Territory administration. The Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, provides sufficient provisions for addressing wildlife population control and overall wild animal management. Specifically, Section 11 of the Act empowers the Chief Wildlife Warden of a State/UT to implement necessary measures for managing situations arising from human-wildlife conflict. The response did not provide specific details on the number of animals sterilized or relocated, or specific criteria for identifying species and conflict zones eligible for intervention, as these matters are addressed at the state/UT level under the existing legal framework. No information was provided on comprehensive policy formulation.
Key Entities Referenced
Ethical Culling-Sterilization Policy for Overpopulated Wild Species: The subject of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1287, concerning policies related to managing overpopulated wild species.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
DR. M P ABDUSSAMADSAMADANI: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question No. 1287 in the Lok Sabha.
Kerala: A state in India mentioned as having conflict-affected districts with overpopulated species.
monkeys: A species of animal mentioned in the context of overpopulation and conflict.
neelgai: A species of animal mentioned in the context of overpopulation and conflict.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change who provided the answer.
The Wild Life Protection Act, 1972: The primary legislation in India governing wildlife protection and management.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1287
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
Ethical Culling/Sterilization Policy for Overpopulated Wild Species
1287. DR. M P ABDUSSAMADSAMADANI:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government is implementing or supporting ethical culling or scientific
sterilization programmes to control the overpopulated species of animals such as
monkeys and neelgai in conflict-affected districts of Kerala and other States and if so,
the details thereof;
(b) the number of animals sterilized or relocated under such programmes during the last
three years and the current year;
(c) whether any comprehensive policy has been formulated in this regard especially in
areas with high incidence of crop depredation; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the criteria used to identify species and conflict
zones eligible for such interventions?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE
CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (d) Management of wildlife including mitigation of human-animal conflicts is
primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Government/Union Territory
administration.
The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, contains adequate provisions to address
matters related to the control of wildlife populations and the overall
management of wild animals in the country. In particular, Section 11 of the Act
empowers the Chief Wildlife Warden of a State/UT to take necessary measures
for managing situations arising from human-wildlife conflict.
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