Tamil Nadu government permits regulated culling of wild boars in farmland close to forest areas

Forest Department allows regulated culling of wild boars near farmland to prevent crop damage

The Forest Department has issued a government order permitting regulated culling of wild boars that cause distress to farmers in farmland close to forest areas, Minister for Forests K. Ponmudy told the Assembly on Friday.

The Opposition parties moved a calling attention motion on the increasing negative human-animal interactions and the damage caused by wild animals to farmland close to forest areas. Several MLAs raised concern about crops being destroyed by elephants and wild boars, especially in areas close to the Western Ghats. They also pointed to the increasing population of peacocks on farmland.

In his response, the Minister listed the measures taken by the Forest Department to prevent wild elephants from entering farmland. He said that the Forest Department passed the order on Thursday based on the recommendations of a 19-member committee, comprising representatives of the Departments of Forest, Revenue, Agriculture, and Horticulture, scientific experts, and wildlife enthusiasts.

According to the order, the areas adjacent to reserve forests would be classified into three zones. Culling of wild boars is prohibited in Zone A (within one kilometre of the forest limits). In Zone B (one-three kilometres), the wild boars should be captured and released in the forest areas. In Zone C (beyond three kilometres), shooting of wild boars would be allowed only by the specially trained Forest Department staff. The carcasses of wild boars should either be buried after chemical treatment or cremated. The order also mandates the Forest Department to maintain records of the culling of wild boars.