Despite undertaking several translocation operations for wild animals in the recent past and having few more similar projects in the pipeline, the State Forest Department is reluctant to undertake the same for neelgais, which are proving problematic for crops in various parts of the State.

Forest Minister Sartaj Singh told The Pioneer the decision regarding limited hunting was pending for the past eight years. “The rules in this regard already existed, but there were some complications. We have made some amendments in the rules and soon it would be passed by the State Cabinet.”

After these amendments take place, the locals would be allowed limited hunting of neelgais and wild boars for preventing crop damage.

Wildlife volunteers however have reacted sharply to this proposed move. The volunteers have questioned the move by saying that poaching was already a huge menace in the State and such a "haphazard move" by the Forest Department could further aggravate the situation.

Wildlife lovers are pointing towards the hectic translocation operations undertaken by the State Forest Department recently. This included; tiger translocation to Panna, bison translocation from Khargone to Van Vihar, and bison translocation from Kanha to Bandhavgarh. Moreover, there are more translocation projects pertaining to Asiatic lions, cheetah, barahsingha and tigers, in the pipeline.

Wildlife volunteer Shehla Masood reacting sharply to the move said that killing animals was not a solution. She pointed out that tiger conservation was a big issue these days and 'culling' of neelgais and wild boars would diminish the prey base of the tigers. She also took a dig at the Forest Department for not resorting to any alternate way like patrolling by forest staff in affected areas or translocating these animals to protected areas to enhance prey base of carnivores.

“The Forest Department would not consider translocation option for neelgais, as this is not a lucrative project,” alleged Masood. “I remind of the ‘Constitutional Provisions’ of Article 48 A: By the Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act, Section 10 (w.e.f. 3.1.1977). Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wild life:- “The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forest and wildlife of the country”.

Presenting practical problems in the implementation of the proposed move, another volunteer activist Navnit Maheshwari stated that allowing hunting of wild animals is just not the solution. “How come the State Government is planning to sustain the hunting in controlled manner,” said Maheshwari. He opined that in future a similar demand could be raised for other animals, which intrude into human habitations.

The wildlife volunteer stated that it would be very difficult to justify the future killings and differentiate them from poaching. He lashed out at Chief Wildlife Warden HS Pabla by saying that he had proposed hunting for generating revenues in his research paper few years back but the move was vehemently opposed. “The CWLW now has got the same sanctioned for neelgais and wild boars,” said Maheshwari.

The CWLW HS Pabla on the matter however told The Pioneer that translocation was not a good move for neelgais as there number is in thousands in the State. On the practical difficulties, which might encounter the move in future, Pabla said, “We cannot think like that as each and every work has some difficulties.” The CWLW accepted that he had proposed controlled hunting of wild animals but added that the proposal could not move ahead owing to rules and regulations.