The Kerala High Court has declined to stay the implementation of the Kerala Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Rules, 2026, which allow individuals to declare possession of animal trophies and ivory items. The decision came while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the legality of the amended rules.
The petition argued that the amendment effectively reopens deadlines for declaring wildlife articles, which had already expired years ago under existing laws. Critics claim that this could potentially legitimize previously undeclared or illegal possession of items such as ivory, raising serious concerns about wildlife protection and legal compliance.
The amendment, introduced through a government notification in March 2026, provides a fresh window of 45 days for individuals to declare possession of animal articles, trophies, and ivory. This replaces earlier provisions that required declarations within a limited timeframe under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
During the hearing, the court observed that the state government appeared to have acted in good faith, following earlier judicial directions that allowed it to issue a revised notification after procedural lapses were identified in previous orders. Taking this into account, the court chose not to halt the implementation of the amended rules at this stage.
However, the High Court has not given a final ruling on the matter. It has directed the state government to file a detailed affidavit explaining its position and justifying the amendment. The case will be taken up for further consideration in the coming weeks, and any declarations made under the new rules will remain subject to the final outcome of the case.
The issue has sparked debate among environmentalists and legal experts, as it touches upon the balance between regulatory flexibility and strict enforcement of wildlife conservation laws.
Overall, the court’s decision allows the rules to remain in effect temporarily, while the legal challenge continues to be examined in detail.
