‘Immediately halt notification’ for nod to cull nilgai, greens urge CM

Gurgaon: A group of environmental activists has urged Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini to revoke the rule permitting the killing of male nilgais (blue bulls). A representation to this effect — delivered at the CM window in the mini secretariat in the city on Thursday — has called for an "immediate halt to the proposed notification" under the new Haryana Wildlife (Protection) Rules approved in early Feb.
The activists' representation suggests alternative solutions such as translocating nilgais to other habitats, designating community reserves and implementing fencing techniques like ‘Chara Bandhi' and ‘Samuhik Taarbandhi' to protect crops. It also recommends supporting farmers through insurance schemes and timely compensation for crop losses.
Founder member of People for Aravallis Neelam Ahluwalia said, "Shooting nilgais to prevent them from entering farmers' fields and destroying crops is neither ethical nor sustainable."
Ahluwalia said, "Our consultations revealed that stray cattle pose a more significant threat to crops than nilgais. We urge the govt to revoke this rule and implement a comprehensive management plan regarding man-animal conflict, developed in consultation with conservationists, ecologists, retired foresters, wildlife experts and rural stakeholders." Haryana forest department officials said that since 1996, permissions were granted to kill nilgais if they were damaging crops at the request of farmers across Haryana. Under the new Haryana Wildlife (Protection) Rules, the earlier rules are included for notification.
The govt would analyse all such representations before proceeding with the notification, they said. "On Nov 7, 1996, thegovt allowed culling of nilgai. For the last 28 years, permissions were given. From 1996 till now, negligible permissions were given for culling of nilgais across Haryana. Usually, people do not seek permissions because of religious beliefs. As far as the rules are concerned, this is nothing new. The already prevailing rules were just mentioned again in the new Haryana Wildlife (Protection) Rules."