No takers for licence to kill

In 2006,Punjab allowed killing of wild boar,which are a menace especially in the Kandi area,and the notification was revised in 2009. Last year,the government had also allowed compensation to farmers whose crop has been damaged by wild animals. However,as per sources in the Punjab Wildlife Department,till date no one has sought a permit to kill and only three persons have filed cases for compensation.

In Haryana,which had allowed killing of nilgai (blue bull) in 1996,a few people have come forward to take the permit,which is issued by the DFO or directly by the wildlife warden. Sources say till date about 39 permits have been issued for hunting down 210 nilgais,but only 11 animals have been killed.

Sources in the Haryana wildlife department say the number of animals has ironically increased after the notification was issued,as earlier people thought it was free and easy to kill nilgais,but framing of rules made them fearful. Besides,there are religious reasons too. “People consider nilgai a cow,and cannot even think of killing it,” they add. In 2006,Punjab allowed hunting of wild boar in Mukerian,Dasuya,Garhshankar,Balachaur,Ludhiana,Dhar,Pathankot and Dera Baba Nanak,Ropar,Anandpur Sahib and Kharar,Ajnala,Tarn Taran and Patti. In 2009,it was decided to give permission for hunting at night and killing of female boars was also allowed. Then early last year,the state government approved the proposal of the Principal Chief Conservator of Punjab for payment of compensation of Rs 4,000 per acre to farmers for crop damaged by wild animals. The state had also allowed ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh for loss of human life,Rs 20,000 for grievous injuries and cost of treatment for minor wounds.

Procedure for issuing permits is almost the same in both the states. Wherever any panchayat feels that boars or nilgais have become dangerous to human life or property,it may pass a resolution recommending hunting. The number of animals available in the area is kept in mind by the SDM or the DFO before issuing the permit,which is valid for 45 days,but may be extended.

Explaining the small number of takers,Member of the Punjab State Board for Wildlife,Bishambar Das,who is also an MLA from Narot Mehra in Gurdaspur,which is hit by the wild boar problem,says most of the people are not aware about it,and those who are find the procedures too complicated.

Chief Wildlife Warden of Punjab,Gurbaaz Singh,says maybe the problem has not been so grave as it was perceived; besides seeking a permission for hunting is one thing and killing an animal is another. “People should understand the ground realities first,” he says.

He,however,says that killing is not a solution. “Biological solution like sterilisation and physical solutions like culling and translocating animals should be explored first.”