The forest department has sent the proposal to the ministry to declare both wild pig and neelgai (blue bull) vermin. However, it is only wild pig, which has been permitted. It has to be shot dead by people outside the reserve forest. They would now no longer require permission from the forest or wildlife officials to do so.

TOI has got a copy of the notification which says that in exercise of the powers conferred by section 62 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the central government hereby declares wild pig ((susscrofa) listed at serial number 19, of the schedule III to the Act, to be vermin and, to be included in schedule V of the Act, for a period of one year from the date of issue of this notification which is February 3.

The notification issued by Vinod Ranjan, additional director general of forests (wildlife), mentions that the state of Uttarakhand has reported harm to life and property including largescale destruction of agriculture due to overpopulation of wild pig in the areas outside the forest. So, the central government has considered it necessary to balance local population of the species to mitigate the damage to human life, crops and other properties of the state for ensuring conservation of wildlife in forests.

Chief Wild Life warden of Uttarakhand, DVS Khati said, "We are preparing guidelines to execute the notification. However, since the wild pig has to shot to be killed, the villagers can take help of forest staff, police men or anybody who has got licensed revolver. The forest department will provide ammunition by giving 50% fund for purchasing the bullet, the remaining amount of which will be paid to the user once they provide the video-graphical evidence along with empty bullet used to kill the pig. The carcass has to be burnt as per the norms with regard to wildlife. Videography of this method of disposal will have to be furnished to the forest official of the area."