Though known as the farmers of the forest and recognised as performing the crucial role of scavangers, wild boars have become a major nuisance to the farming community. The Tamil Nadu government has planned to allow Forest Department personnel to cull the wild boar for a limited period of time, say one year.
While acknowledging the problem faced by farmers, environmentalists, however, warn that any attempt to declare the animal as “vermin” would result in irreparable damage to the biodiversity of forests.
“We have to make a detailed study before going ahead with the plan. On the one hand, the wild boar remains an important prey for carnivorous animals and, on the other, through their furrowing wild boars ensure germination of seeds in the forest area. Also, by scavenging on dead animals they clear the forests. The wild boar’s disappearance or reduction in numbers will affect biodiversity,” said Mr. Kalidasan, President of Osai, an environmental organisation, who was one of the members of the committee constituted by the State government a few years ago to study the wild boar menace.
He said that in many areas in Erode, Coimbatore and Sathyamangalam, wild boars had moved out of the forest and taken refuge in sugarcane fields. “In Courtallam forest areas in the Western Ghats, they have taken permanent residence in irrigation tanks covered with invasive species,” he said.
‘Ravage farms’
“Wild boars are among the most significant causes of losses that farmers face. They devour tapioca, bananas, rice and oil seeds. Since they are on the list of scheduled animals we are not able to do anything as it will result in action against farmers under the Wildlife Protection Act,” said S.T. Sheik Mydeen, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association in Kadayanallur-Shencottah area.
“We make noise, burst crackers and use dogs to chase them away. But they come in such vast numbers that our efforts often fail. Sometimes forest officials take away our dogs if they find us chasing wild boars,” said Mr. Mydeen.
Mr. Kalidasan said if the government issued orders for shooting, it should be limited to areas where the threat is major. The carcass of the animal should not be allowed to be consumed by people. Mr. Mydeen also agreed that people should not be allowed to eat the meat of the hunted animal.
