A study on the ecology of Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus Pallas) and its status as an unconventional pest of agriculture in and around Beer-Sonty reserve forest, Haryana, India

Abstract

Periodic fortnightly visits from June, 2007 to May, 2008 in Beer-Sonty reserve forest and surrounding agricultural fields indicated incidences of damage to various crops and many herbs, shrubs and trees by Nilgai. The opinion survey of the 208 inhabitants including 166 farmers/farm labourers and 42 forest officials/forest labourers in and around Beer-Sonty reserve forest also revealed that 74.52% of the contacted persons reported significant damage by Nilgai to agricultural crops and herbs. As far as the distribution of Nilgai is concerned, 94.72% interviewees reported random distribution while 5.28% interviewees reported non-random distribution. One year fortnightly survey revealed minimum of one to a maximum of four Nilgai sightings/visit with a minimum of one individual to a maximum of 11 individuals per sighting. Most of the times, males were sighted singly or in mixed herds, whereas, herds comprising 2-11 individuals in different sightings included female(s) with calves or mixed herds. Opinion survey has also indicated herds comprising 1-10, 10-20 and more than 20 individuals by 60.10%, 30.77% and 9.13% interviewees. During regular periodic visits of the study area and surrounding fields, farmers were found using various means such as fencing, fire, night-light, sound efforts and effigy models to check the activity of Nilgai in their agricultural fields.