Kerala government opens option for declaring wildlife trophy

People who possess wildlife trophy can get it declared and obtain ownership certificate from the Forest department within 45 days.

The State government issued a notification on Wednesday amending relevant provisions of the Kerala Wildlife (Protection) Rules, 1978 to facilitate the declaration of wildlife stock. The notification was issued following a Kerala High Court order, which declared the ownership certificates issued for the two pairs of ivory and 13 ivory idols found in the possession of actor Mohanlal as void ab initio.

A Division Bench consisting of Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Jobin Sebastian, while cancelling the Government Order issued in relation to the ownership certificates of the actor, observed that the State government could issue a fresh notification for persons or a class of persons to declare the stock and obtain immunity from legal action.

Incidentally, the department had booked a wildlife crime case against Mr. Mohanlal for the possession of two pairs of ivory. However, no case has been booked against the actor for the possession of the ivory idols, which were unearthed along with the two sets of ivory during an Income Tax raid at his residence, though the High Court had cancelled its ownership certificates too.

The amnesty scheme would be applicable for wildlife trophy, which are either legally inherited or owned. The Chief Wildlife Warden or an officer authorised by him shall conduct an inquiry into the legality of the possession of the trophy before accepting the declaration and issuing the certificates.

The scheme would be beneficial for those who are in genuine possession of trophies, but failed to declare the control, custody, or possession of any animal article or trophy with them, officials said.

The earlier cut-off date for the declaration had expired in Kerala on September 30, 1991.