E-Paper
Nilgais belong to vermin category, can be killed: JD(U)
PATNA: The ruling JD(U) has defended the state government’s decision for the culling of nilgais (blue bulls) in Bihar.
Justifying the decision, JD(U) MLC and party’s spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said the state government had every right to ask for permission from the Union government if animals were not in control.
“In June 2015, the central government gave permission that till November 2016, nilgais can be killed. According to the Vanya Jeewan Sanrakshan Niyam (section XI-V), a professional shooter can be used for the job ,” Kumar said. Around 200 nilgais were reported to have been gunned down in the state, mostly in Mokama area, in the past one week.
In Bihar, at present, nilgai falls in the vermin category and can be killed outside forest areas under certain circumstances. There is a provision in the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972, under which animals that threaten human life or crops maybe allowed to be brought under the vermin category and can be killed if needed.
“The state government has the permission to cull blue bulls for a year. The licence is valid till November 30 this year,” said US Jha, chief wildlife warden of the forest department.