Is Domestication of Nilgai Possible?

All species on earth have some unique ecological function, and we need to explore their use for better well-being. In recent times, nilgai or blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus Pallas) is one of the most studied animals after cow in the agrarian society of India. Nilgai shares the fodder of domestic animals and also damages the crops in Bihar and adjoining states. This has forced the government to declare this animal as vermin (pests or nuisance animals that spread diseases or destroy crops or livestock)¹. Maximum damage to crops was reported in the Kaimaur, Buxar, Bhojpur, Vaishali, East- Champaran, Supaul, Nalanda and Patna districts of Bihar. In 2017, farmers demanded immediate action and forced the officials of Vaishali and Nalanda districts to permit the killing of nilgai (Table 1)². Although nilgai is the only member of the genus Boselaphus, the largest Asian antelope has an Indian subcontinent origin³. This animal was first described and named by the German zoologist Peter Simon Pallas in 1766 (ref. 4).