The move to shoot Blue Bulls popularly known as "Neel Gai" is shocking to save the crops.There is a news in Hindi daily today that hunters have been called by UP government on a contract of shooting these shy creatures at rupees one thousand per antelop.This comprehensible act should be condemned at all levels.
This is in view to curb the menace of destruction of crops in districts of Banda,Bulanshahar,Muzzafarnagar,Shahjahanpur and Pilibhit.How can these kinds of decisions can to be taken by so irrespossibly??.They are a protected species under the wild life protection Act 1972.
In Haryana and Rajasthan also they cause damage of crops worth of crores every year.Due to tendency to run over the road they are menace for highways also.But due to strong pressure group created by Bishnoi's and also since this creature carries the name of "Neel Gai" the sentiment to shoot the animals has strong resentment among the villagers of Haryana and Rajasthan.Goverment also bows down under there pressure and they gained lot of attention after the court took strong views against Salman Khan and Nawab Pataudi for killing of other antelopes.
These are shy creatures and come out in open only due to lack of food and fodder.The reducing forest cover and conversion of wastelands into agriculture lands has led to blue bulls coming out in open and destructing the farmers’ fields all over the state.As winter advances the scarcity of fodder in forest forces these animal species come out to adjoining village areas of forests,and attack their fields at night.The animals descend on the fields in herds, making it easy for them to damage large areas of farmland within a matter of minutes. These animals have been frequenting for the past many years and often destroy their standing crop of maize, wheat, sugarcane, fodder like barseem as well as seasonal cash crops.
This animal can run upto 50 km per hr thus destruction is within a very short span of time.There population is definitely on increase in northern india and probably that is the reason why it has been termed as low risk of extinction by IUCN Red List. The population density in central india is .07 animals per sq km.But we should not forget that these species are available in India only.
If at all we need to curb the menace it should be tackled keeping the environment in mind.Millets and grasses should be sown in forest and the conversion of wasteland into agricultural land should be stopped. Better forest management and wildlife management should be ensured by the forest and wildlife department so that they remain in their natural habitat. If they are confided to the forest a proper eco system is maintained and their growth and extinction is maitained.By this the menace of destruction of crops can be avoided to a large extent.
Help can also be taken from the Nath tribes who are excellent trackers and adept at capturing and handling wildlife.A method should be devised wherein they can be trapped and dropped to there natural habitat.This will definitely help in a balanced approach towards the environment and maintaining the eco system.
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