On July 24, 2015, state government under political influence relaxed norms to kill wild boars and nilgais (blue bulls) by withdrawing the condition that it must be done only by registered hunters having licensed guns. The fears of wildlife experts of this leading to large-scale killing of herbivores have now come true.

Chief wildlife warden Shree Bhagwan said he was in Delhi and was not aware of the killings. "I will inquire into it when I return tomorrow," he said.

Chandrapur chief conservator of forests (CCF) Sanjay Thakre said the drive had been resumed from Sunday on the directions of forest minister himself and boars were being killed in agriculture fields. In the last two days, shooter from Hyderabad NawabShafat Ali Khan has shot over 50 wild boars in Chichpalli, in Mungantiwar's constituency, and Saoli in Mul range, both in Tadoba landscape. In two such drives earlier in January and March, more than 200 wild boars were killed.

Conservationists and NGOs have reacted with horror over the way these herbivores are being eliminated. "Instead of finding out innovative solutions, the forest department itself is destroying prey base of carnivores that would worsen man-animal conflict. The move seems to just to please farmers to keep minister's vote bank intact," they alleged.

Thakre claimed the operation had been resumed following demand from local farmers and consent from Mungantiwar himself. After TOI reported the matter on January 10, the culling operation was called off amid hue and cry from wildlife activists.

Thakre said the GR relaxed norms by granting permission to farmers in 24 hours to hunt nilgais and wild boars responsible for crop depredation. Wildlife activists ask why are wild boars being targeted in minister's hometown only, that too in peak summer when there are no standing crops in fields.

"The forest department is creating a disastrous situation by killing wild boars in tiger corridors. Though foresters claim animals are being killed in farms, these fields are also used by carnivores as corridors. There have been many occasions when a tiger chasing herbivores has died due to electrocution in farms," they said.

TOI has learnt that while forest officials are opposed to culling, a few seniors are misinterpreting rules to please Mungantiwar. The government has empowered RFOs under Section 11(B) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 to grant permission to cull problem wild boars in 24 hours. "The other side of the law is that RFOs can allow culling of wild boars or nilgais if they become dangerous to human life or crop. It is peak summer and there is no crop on the fields. The boars killed in the last three days did not pose any danger to humans. Why were they killed," asked experts.

Thakre said culling of wild boars was done where population is excess and causing damage to crops and with the consent of local people. Wildlife experts said no scientific studies had been done to determine where population was excess. Thakre maintained boars were a menace. They are responsible for 95% crop damage and 80% of injuries to humans in fields. "As many as 20 people have died in wild boarattacks in the last 10 years," he said.

He justified shooting boars during peak summer. "It makes no difference whether there is crop or not if boars are shot down in agriculture fields," said Thakre.

He added GR allowed them to kill boars intruding into the farms. It is difficult to kill boars when crops are standing. "What is the point in killing a boar after it has damaged the crop," he asked. He said even the culling operation carried out in January and March was when there was no crop. On Sunday Khan shot 18 boars in fields of Kelzar, Shushi and Dabgaon villages. In Saoli he killed another 25 where he is going to continue for the next few days.

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

* Is every application from farmers to kill wild boars being maintained as per time and date?

* Is any site inspection being done by RFOs concerned, recording statements of affected persons?

* Are foresters inspecting the sites and following norms of panchnama and sending reports of kills to PCCF in 24 hours?

* For what period the licence to kill is being granted?

* Is any time frame being followed while hunting?

* If prey base is reduced won't carnivores in area attack humans?

* Who is disposing of the culled animals and how?