Sharing habitat: Wild boars wreak havoc in Nowshera

Some oppose the brutality, others simply gun them down

PESHAWAR: The growing population of wild boars in parts of Nowshera has been on a rampage, damaging crops in its wake. However, not much attention is being paid to the issue.

“Wild boars have always been troublesome for crops and their number is increasing in some parts of the district,” Muzammil, a local told The Express Tribune.

An alarming situation has developed. They destroy our crops at night and it is difficult to scare them away as they often attack in defence.”

Muzammil said some locals have also resorted to killing them. “They shoot the boars with guns to get rid of the wild beasts,” he added.

Into the wild “The boars are a unique species in the district,” said Asad Khan, another local.

“They have a beautiful greenish brown fur like that of deers,” he said. “They are not usually found roaming in other parts of the country.” “The shade of their fur helps camouflage them in the fields, making it difficult for people to spot them.”

Although Asad agreed that they damage the crops, he was against hunting the wild boars.

“They are an essential part of our endangered ecosystem and nevertheless contribute to the beauty of our hills,” said Asad. “We have already hunted down many deer, urials, hares and other such animals for their meat. However, the wild boars were spared as consuming their meat is prohibited in Islam.”

He added the wildlife department should come forward with a plan to protect such wild animals in the district and across the province.

Not uncommon

However, it seems like it is not only Nowshera where wild boars have become a threat to the crops. An official of the wildlife department said they destroy crops in many parts of Punjab and the agriculture department there encourages their hunting. He added boars also breed very fast.

However, he denied reports that the animals are a threat to the fields in Nowshera. “Their number has never been that large in the area,” the official said.

He added, “People in Punjab seldom have guns hence cannot do away with the presence of boars, but in Nowshera each household has an AK-47 and hence locals there often gun them down.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2015.