Wildlife Institute of India working on vaccine to reduce ‘vermin’ populations, awaits further funding

Source: The post is based on the article “Wildlife Institute of India working on vaccine to reduce ‘vermin’ populations, awaits further funding” published in Down To Earth on 9th February 2023.

What is the News?

The Wildlife Institute of India(WII) is working to develop immuno-contraceptive measures for population management of Vermins and other species that have become problematic for humans in many parts of the country.

What are Vermin species?

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Who can declare Vermin species?

The Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972 states that the central government can declare any wild animal other than those specified in Schedule I and Part II of Schedule II to be vermin. The centre can even declare vermin for any period/in any area as may be specified.

What is the project being developed to manage Vermins and other species?

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change(MoEF&CC) approved the 10-year research project for developing immuno-contraception in 2016.

Under the project, the Wildlife Institute of India(WII) is studying immuno-contraceptive measures for population management of four species namely elephant, wild pig, Rhesus macaque and Nilgai.

These measures will be able to reduce reproduction in the species by making the female sterile. This will be done by injecting a vaccine made from a hormone derived from the ovary lining of pigs.