Kerala Forest Department has started a one-time amnesty scheme for people holding undeclared wildlife articles. This move follows a Kerala High Court judgment that cancelled ownership certificates for ivory articles found with actor Mohanlal. The department says many people own animal trophies secretly or miss the legal deadline to declare them. The amnesty lets owners of legally inherited wildlife articles declare or surrender them without cases being filed. The Forest Department had approval from the State Wildlife Advisory Board, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The scheme waits for approval from the Union Ministry of Environment. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 says owners must declare wildlife articles within 90 days of inheritance. Kerala’s deadline expired on October 18, 2003. Most fail to meet this deadline due to ignorance. Importantly, the amnesty only covers legally owned articles. Illegal trophies will not be legitimized just by surrender. The Forest Department must verify the legality before accepting or certifying any wildlife articles. The Mohanlal case showed loopholes in this process. Ownership certificates were issued without proper inquiry, which the High Court cancelled. The court said Kerala can issue fresh notifications for amnesty under the law. The government’s move coincides with probes on celebrities like Union Minister Suresh Gopi and rapper Vedan for wildlife ornaments. The amnesty aims to protect genuine holders from long legal battles but must not help illegal possession. Authorities warn illegal wildlife trophies remain punishable crimes that threaten protected species and encourage wildlife crime if safeguards are weakened.