Generally, GRs are issued to frame proper procedure, but the GR on hunting of the two species itself lacks clarity. Wildlife experts fear the relaxation may be misused to kill the two herbivore species on a large-scale as the basic condition of killing the animals by registered hunters having licensed guns has been withdrawn.

Many questions remain unanswered about the simplified procedure. The basic issue is that it doesn't mention how the nilgais and wild boars will be hunted. If shooting is not to be used, then farmers may kill by way of poisoning. This typically results in large number of animals dying and cannot be targeted well. Both the species are listed under Schedule III of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972. Wild boars are also good prey for tigers.

This is not for the first time that the government has allowed hunting of nilgais and wild boars. In 2001 then forest minister Surup Singh Naik too had allowed their hunting. However, apparently due to long-drawn procedure involved in obtaining permit for elimination, lack of experienced shooters, inability of farmers to bear expenses of monitoring the animals, no power to range forest officers (RFOs) to dispose of the carcass etc — there is no record of official hunting. However, nilgais and wild boars have regularly been killed with the help of wire-snares, poisoning, and electrocution etc.

Owing to pressure from MPs, BJP government at the Centre through ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) too has invited proposals from the state governments to declare such nilgais and wild boars as 'vermin'.

Based on this, on September 2, 2014, the government had issued guidelines to tackle crop-depredation by nilgais and wild boars. On June 22, the state wildlife board (SWB) meeting chaired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had discussed the issue. It also figured in the House on Thursday wherein forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar promised to simplify guidelines. However, the guidelines proposed by the chief wildlife warden were diluted by the government.

Wild Boar, Nilgai hunting made easy

* Farmer will have to file a complaint/application with the RFO concerned

* RFOs to issue hunting permit within 24 hours after verification

* If permit not granted in 24 hours, it will be considered as deemed permission

* No permission to hunt in national parks, sanctuaries, reserves and conservation reserves

* Take precautions while hunting animals in 5km from boundary of protected areas

* Applicant will have to give a time frame for hunting and will have to follow that

* RFO will have to submit monthly report of permissions and animals hunted to deputy conservators and PCCF

* PCCF (wildlife) will review and give instructions in case of problems

Procedure Proposed By PCCF (Wildlife)

* Farmers can get the permitted animal hunted by registered hunters at local/division level

* RFO to issue hunting permit within 48 hours for maximum 3 wild boars /nilgais

* The permit will be valid for a period of four months or till the number permitted animals have been hunted whichever is earlier

* Hunters to be registered at local/division level by paying Rs 100

* The meat of hunted wild boar/nilgai will be dealt with as per Section 44 of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972

* Any trade in body part of hunted animal prohibited. Hunter can take possession of hunted animal by paying royalty of Rs 500 per wild boar and Rs 1,000 per nilgai but the meat will have to be distributed in the village where it was hunted

* Transport of meat of hunted animal outside the village limit will not be permitted except 5kg that can be taken by hunter

Unanswered Questions?

* Killing will also be allowed in 5km area from the boundary of national parks and sanctuaries, whereas PCCF had recommended no killing in 5km area from parks

* Earlier, getting registered licensed gun holders was an issue, new rules do not mention how the animals will be killed

* No control over killing in tiger corridors, thus high probability of destroying prey base

* There is ambiguity about who will dispose of the animals