Chandigarh, Feb. 14 -- Haryana Cabinet's recent decision permitting the shooting of male nilgais (blue bulls) has sparked a wave of criticism from conservationists and environmentalists, who have urged the government to revoke the rule and adopt a more sustainable and humane approach to tackle human-wildlife conflicts.

"Human-animal conflict has existed since time immemorial. Shooting nilgais to solve the problem of these animals entering farmers' fields and destroying crops is neither an ethical nor a sustainable solution," People of Aravallis founder member Neelam Ahluwalia said in a two-page appeal letter addressed to chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday.

The controversial policy, introduced under the new Haryana Wildlife (Pr...