Karnataka govt allows Ramnagara farmers to hunt wild boars if found damaging crops

Activists fear that this might give rise to massive hunting as the wild boar's meat is a delicacy
 Karnataka govt allows Ramnagara farmers to hunt wild boars if found damaging crops
Karnataka govt allows Ramnagara farmers to hunt wild boars if found damaging crops
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Following Bengaluru Rural MP DK Suresh’s complaint to the government about major crop damage caused by wild boars, the Karnataka forest department has legalised hunting of wild boars in Ramnagara district.

However, wildlife activist claim that this will lead to massive hunting as the meat of the animal is a delicacy.

According to The Times of India report by ManuAiyappa Kanathanda, the forest department declared wild boars a vermin and has said that the animal can be killed if found damaging crops in any part of the district. 

However, section 62 in Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 allows hunting of wild animals including wild boars in specific areas only.

The boars, according to Suresh, caused extensive damage to crops. They uproot flower bulbs and sugarcane crops, damage paddy fields and other crops. 

“Some people have even given up farming because of the menace,” he reportedly wrote to the government.

A senior official said that the notification was issued under pressure from energy minister DK Shiva Kumar and Suresh, who are from the district.

Activists, however, have reportedly demanded a scientific study on the boar population and the impact on agriculture. 

Principal chief conservator of forests BG Hosmath, reportedly said that there was no provision to misuse this order.

“Farmers can kill the boar using only licensed guns, but they cannot consume the meat. The carcass has to be buried or burnt as per guidelines, and videography of the method of disposal has to be furnished to the forest official,” he said.

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