In order to mitigate the problem of crop damage due to the over abundant population of Nilgai antelopes (blue bulls) and wild boars, the Madhya Pradesh government has decided to allow the farmers to shoot down these animals.
Madhya Pradesh forest minister Sartaj Singh informed the state Assembly about the decision to allow the culling of blue bulls and wild boars during the discussion on his department’s budgetary demands.
When contacted, the officiating Leader of Opposition Choudhary Rakesh Singh Chaturvedi said he supports the decision to allow the hunting of wild animals that have become a menace for standing crops. While pointing out that it is a step in the right direction and will serve the farmers’ interests, he also added a word of caution saying that there should be strict enforcement and monitoring by the concerned authorities to ensure nobody misuses the permission to kill the animals.
State chief wildlife warden H.S. Pabla told this newspaper that crop raiding by over-abundant population of nilgai and wild boars has become a big problem for farmers in many parts of Madhya Pradesh. Unlike other species of wildlife that are endangered and need protection, these animals have been multiplying fast, he said adding that culling them will not lead to their extinction.
Permission will be given to the farmers to kill blue bulls and wild boars under Section 11 (b) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, which authorises the chief wildlife warden to permit any person to hunt such animals.