The state government’s decision on the hunting of wild boars has evoked mixed response with wildlife experts saying hunting be allowed under the supervision of the department. The decision wil also affect conservation of endangered species as hunters may target them besides the wild boar.

Wildlife experts favour hunting in the trouble areas only after establishing parameters to avoid illegal culling of wild boars.

Experts apprehend the vague decision of the government will encourage poaching instead of helping poor farmers suffering losses due to damage caused by the beasts to crops. Sukhdeep Singh Bajwa, former honorary wildlife warden (Gurdaspur), Punjab, claimed t no doubt the government had taken step in favour of farmers but the hunting of wild boars should be supervised by wildlife officials.

He adds in absence of a monitoring authority, the hunters may kill other wild animals instead of boars.

Gurnarj Singh Saini, former honorary wildlife warden, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, claimed allowing killing of wild boars was to legalise poaching.

Giving US government’s reference Saini said the government should charge certain fee from hunters before issuing them permits. Moreover, the government should fix limit (number of animals to he hunted) in a season. He added hunting should be allowed in a way that animal population in different segments of hunting was not disturbed.

Certain NGOs, including Jagriti, have questioned this decision of the government. Farmers of the Kandi area, welcomed the decision.