Nilgai: A Growing Challenge to Indian Agriculture
Keywords:
Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Vertebrate Pest, Crop Damage, Human–Wildlife Conflict, Repellents, Sustainable managementAbstract
Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) has emerged as one of the most significant vertebrate pests causing crop damage in the northern and western states of India. Due to habitat degradation, rapid exploration in agriculture, legal protection, absence of natural predators are major factor for rapid increasing population. Nilgai damages a wide range of agricultural and horticultural crops through feeding and trampling, resulting in considerable economic losses. Sustainable Nilgai management requires an integrated approach that combines effective crop protection with wildlife conservation. Non-lethal methods remain the preferred management strategy, while culling remains a controversial option under specific circumstances. This article provides an overview of the biology, distribution, crop-raiding behavior, agricultural impacts and their sustainable management of Nilgai in India.
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