Haryana to change name of 'Nilgai' to 'Roze'

Haryana government today said it will soon bring a proposal to change the name of 'Nilgai' (Antelope) to 'Roze' and will also give permission to kill the animal to protect crops.
During question hour in Assembly, Kehar Singh MLA asked Haryana Forest Minister Rao Narbir Singh whether there was any proposal under consideration of the government to tackle the problem of antelopes in the state.
In his reply, the minister said that Haryana government had issued 42 permits for hunting of Nilgai during 2007-08 till 2015-16. "But only two Nilgai were actually hunted," he informed the Assembly.
The minister said people in the state are reluctant to kill the animal because as per Hindu religion, this animal is called 'Nilgai'.

"We are now bringing a proposal to change the name of Nilgai to Roze and we shall give permission to kill the deer-like animal wherever the need arises," the minister said.
He further informed that Bihar government had given permission in several areas to kill 'Nilgai'.

Kehar Singh MLA pointed out in the assembly that that Nilgai was responsible for the damage of farmer's produce.
Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, government of India vide notification date December 1, 2015 has declared Nilgai and wildboard as vermins in Bihar for a period of one year from the date of issue of this notification, the minister informed the House.

He said the government of Haryana has authorised Divisional Forest Officers of respective districts to issue hunting permit of Nilgai on receiving resolution of concerned Panchayat, he said.