Patna : Authorities in Patna district have authorised the culling of over 3,400 neelgai and wild boars in a controversial attempt to protect farmlands from widespread crop damage. The decision, issued by the Bihar government through the Panchayati Raj Department, comes in response to mounting pressure from distressed farmers across the region.
According to officials, 3,436 neelgai and wild boars are set to be hunted in rural parts of the district, following formal requests from local farmers. The animals, considered vermin under state guidelines, have been cited as a major threat to standing crops, particularly in areas such as Naubatpur, Mokama, and Danapur.
The directive was finalised after a meeting involving District Magistrate Dr Chandrashekhar Singh, Deputy Development Commissioner Sameer Saurabh, and officials from the forest and panchayati raj departments. Coordination with local panchayat heads is mandatory before any action is taken, and the guidelines stress that the process must be monitored closely.
Cash incentives for culling and burial
In a move likely to raise eyebrows, the Bihar government is offering monetary incentives to individuals involved in the operation. Shooters will be paid Rs. 750 for each animal killed, with an additional Rs. 1,250 provided for proper burial. The funds are being disbursed through the district administration with financial support from the Panchayati Raj Department.
The largest number of culling requests has come from Karja in Naubatpur block, where 2,000 nilgai have been targeted. Fatehpur follows with 1,000, while smaller numbers have been reported from Mokama, Danapur, and Fatuha. Farmers in Naubatpur alone have reportedly killed 21 nilgai in recent weeks in what they say is an act of desperation.
Political and legal scrutiny
The decision has sparked debate in the Bihar Assembly, where the issue of crop destruction by wild animals was raised during the recent budget session. The government cited data from 2024–25 indicating that 4,279 nilgai and wild boars had already been killed across the state under similar campaigns.
While many farmers welcome the move, wildlife advocates and legal experts have raised concerns about the ethical and ecological consequences of such large-scale culling. Officials say a legal framework is being developed to regulate future actions, though no formal legislation has yet been introduced.
