TN forest mantri is 12-bore on boar

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Tamil Nadu forests minister K. Selvaraj has allegedly advised farmers to kill wild boar that raid their crops. The boar is a protected animal under Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection Act.
In an audio recording acquired by this newspaper, a voice, purportedly that of the minister, is heard suggesting this short-cut to contain the menace of wild boar damaging crops. “Ensure that the forest guards are informed within an hour,” says the voice. “Everything will be taken care of.”
The voice on the tape also added that it would become an offence warranting arrest only if the farmers consumed the slain boar. “I’m stating this off the record,” he added. The forest minister had interacted with farmers to review the proposed dam at Dhonimaduvu, expected to benefit 5,000 acres of agricultural land around Kolathur union.
Asked about his “advice” on tackling the boar menace, minister Selvaraj told this newspaper there was nothing wrong in getting rid of the animal when it destroyed the crops of the poor farmers. “It is a crime if someone hunts boar for its meat,” he said, pointing out that the farmers were forced to kill the boar only when they entered their fields three to four km from the forests.
The minister also said the state government had asked the Centre to transfer wild boar from Schedule 4 to Schedule 5 in the Wildlife Protection Act, which would make it less of a crime if hunted.
Wildlife enthusiasts have termed as “highly irresponsible” the minister’s advice to the farmers. “Would the minister ask the farmers to shoot elephants too, because they are also known to rampage crops,” asked S. Jayachandran, joint secretary, Tamil Nadu Green Movement.
Noted Chennai veterinarian M.G. Mohamed Ali pointed out that the boar population had been multiplying in the forest ranges, particularly in areas close to human habitation, since the predator population of tigers and leopards has fallen drastically. “Besides, the boar litters eight to 14 piglets and they are pretty hardy animals, resistant to disease. They ravage the farms close to the woods for easy and plentiful food,” said Dr Ali.