Proposal to declare wild boars and monkeys as vermin

Amid increasing reports of man-animal conflict, Berhampur forest division has sent a proposal to the chief wildlife warden to recommend to the Centre to declare wild boars and monkeys as vermin in three blocks of Ganjam district in Odisha.
Earlier this year, union environment and forest ministry had issued a statement seeking report from states to declare certain overpopulated species as vermin for a limited period of time in a given area, if found damaging crops.
Once declared vermin, the particular species will not be covered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and can be hunted or culled without restriction.

"Wild boars and monkeys have become a menace in Rangeilunda, Patrapur and Chhatrapur blocks. They attack villagers and destroy crops," said Divisional Forest Officer, Berhampur, S S Mishra.
Five persons were injured when a herd of wild boars went on the rampage at Gunduri village under Patrapur forest range on Thursday. "The injured are undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur. Two among them are serious," said Forest Range Officer, Patrapur, R K Rout.
"The herd of 20 wild boars destroyed standing crops over several acres in the village," said M Sukru of Kalinga Krushak Samaj.
The DFO said steps were being taken to minimise the man-animal conflict. "The affected farmers are compensated," he said. The government has sanctioned Rs 4.2 lakh as compensation to 250 farmers of Rangeilunda block for crops damaged by wild boars.

Around Rs 2 lakh have been disbursed to over 150 farmers and the rest will soon get the compensation amount, he added.