Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFarmers in Gaidahawa, Nepal, say nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), also called blue bulls, enter fields at night and eat crops. One farmer told reporters that repeated raids led him to abandon a small vegetable plot. His account documents a household loss, not a measure of damage across the border region: available population and crop-loss figures are dated, cover different areas, and do not establish how much farmers are losing today.
What farmers in Gaidahawa say is happening
Ram Chandra Kurmi, a farmer in Gaidahawa in Nepal’s Rupandehi district, told Scroll that he gave up a small vegetable plot after repeated nighttime raids. “Nilgais come at night when no one’s around to shoo them away and munch on the vegetables,” he said. The report describes crop loss as a strain on household livelihoods and says marginalised farming communities across the Indo-Gangetic border plains complain of insufficient government action. Kurmi’s experience is a reported individual case, not a representative survey of farmers or fields. Scroll’s March 13, 2025 report was first published by Mongabay.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The gap between recurring losses and farmers’ limited options is central to the conflict. Gaidahawa municipality-4 chair Surendra Prasad Kurmi said local representatives hear complaints but lack resources and authority: “We are in direct contact with the people every day,” he said. “As local representatives, we are the first to hear these complaints, but we lack the resources and authority.”
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What the available numbers do—and do not—show
There is no verified current census covering the India–Nepal border or a border-wide estimate of economic losses in the cited sources. The Nepal figures below come from different studies and geographic scopes, so they should not be added together or treated as a current total.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPLETE NORTH AMERICAN HABITAT SET – Explore 3 unique ecosystems in one playset! This 12-piece collection includes Sky (Bald Eagle), Forest (Brown Bear, Wolf, Cougar, Moose, White-tailed Deer, Bison, Lynx, Raccoon, Fox, Squirrel), and Wetland (American Alligator) animals. Perfect for teaching kids about biodiversity and wildlife distribution.
- REALISTIC & HAND-PAINTED DETAILS – Each figurine is meticulously crafted and hand-painted with vibrant, non-toxic colors. From the eagle's sharp beak to the alligator's textured scales, these lifelike animal toys capture the unique characteristics of each North American species, inspiring hours of imaginative play.
- SAFE & DURABLE FOR ENDLESS PLAY – Made from high-quality, BPA-free PVC plastic with smooth, rounded edges. These solid jungle animal figures are built to withstand rough play, classroom use, and outdoor adventures. Easy to clean and durable for years of learning fun. Ideal for children ages 3 and up.
- VERSATILE USE FOR ANY OCCASION – More than just toys! Use them as realistic diorama supplies for school projects, rainforest/nature-themed birthday cake toppers, party favors for a woodland party, bath toys, classroom rewards, or sensory bin fillers. A thoughtful educational gift for birthdays, holidays, or Christmas.
- INSPIRE CURIOSITY & LOVE FOR NATURE – This STEM toy encourages children to learn about North American wildlife, their habitats, and behaviors through hands-on, creative play. An excellent resource for homeschooling, Montessori activities, or simply as a fun, screen-free activity. A perfect birthday gift for boys and girls who love animals and the great outdoors.
| Estimate | Area and date | What it can tell readers |
|---|---|---|
| 300–350 nilgai | Several Nepal border districts, in a 2018 Nepal Ministry of Forests and Environment assessment cited by Scroll | A dated multi-district estimate—not a current census. Scroll also reports that official nilgai data are lacking outside national parks. Source and attribution. |
| 303 nilgai in 16 villages; US$68,600 in annual agricultural losses | Rupandehi study cited as 2016 in Scroll’s 2025 report | The lead author cautioned that the study did not cover the whole district and actual losses could be greater. The reported loss is not a current annual figure for the district or border. Source and attribution. |
| 59 nilgai observed across nine transects; 57% of respondents perceived damage as increasing | Rupandehi, July and August 2017 | A localized thesis result based on transects, indirect evidence and questionnaires—not a current population estimate. Respondents also reported stopping certain crops and commonly using bamboo fencing. Tribhuvan University thesis record. |
A separate review offers context from India, not a proxy for Nepal. A 2024 Journal of Threatened Taxa review analyzed print-media reports from 2018 through 2022 and counted 597 human–nilgai conflict cases; 585, or 98%, involved crop raids. Its reported crop-category frequencies were vegetables 31%, pulses 22% and cereals 20%, across 45 crop types. These percentages describe the review’s media-report dataset, not the share of crops damaged across India or total economic loss. The review found the most reported affected tehsils and districts in Bihar, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh; that distribution does not establish the pattern in Nepal’s border districts. Read the 2024 review.
Why nilgai may be entering fields remains unsettled
Officials, conservationists and researchers quoted by Scroll described nilgai numbers as having grown in parts of Nepal over the preceding decade, but the report says scientific studies have not established why. The explanations offered are hypotheses, not confirmed causes. They include changes in hunting pressure during and after Nepal’s Maoist insurgency, invasive plants displacing preferred vegetation, habitat disturbance and easy access to crops near settlements. Sources also disagreed over predator–prey explanations and the role of grassland conditions.
Rank #2
- Extensive Collection: This TOOB contains 12 hand-painted, highly detailed wildlife figurines representing a variety of North American species, such as a moose, wolf, grizzly bear, river otter, raccoon, and more.
- Educational Value: These mini figures provide a fun and engaging way for children to learn about North American wildlife. They can help promote understanding of diverse ecosystems and the importance of conservation.
- Realistic Detail: Each figure is professionally sculpted and individually hand-painted, capturing the distinctive features and colorations of each species.
- Safe and Durable: Made from BPA-free, non-toxic materials, these figures are designed for safe play and durability. Suitable for children aged 3+.
- Convenient Size: The TOOB measures 1.5 inches long, 1.5 inches wide, and 12.8 inches tall. The wildlife figurines range from 1.25 to 3.75 inches tall, making them perfect for small hands and portable play.
Thakur Silwal, dean of the Institute of Forestry at Tribhuvan University, argued that habitat conditions matter: “If fresh grass were available in the forest, the animals would not venture into human settlements,” he said. The available reporting does not establish that habitat improvement alone would prevent crop raids.
What farmers and officials have tried or proposed
Scroll reports farmers guarding fields overnight, sometimes from makeshift huts and with torchlights. One farmer used two dogs that bark when nilgai enter. Other reported practices include fencing—which did not prevent losses in every account—and foul-smelling material used as a repellent. These are descriptions of local practice, not evidence that any method reliably deters nilgai. A 2023 Wildlife Institute of India report likewise records localized crop damage and measures including fencing and night guarding in Indian communities; it does not provide a direct estimate for the Nepal border or establish which method works best. Wildlife Institute of India report.
Rank #3
- Large 12PCS North American Woodland Wildlife Figurine Collection:This realistic woodland animal toys set includes 12 hand-painted wildlife figures: crocodile, black bear, grizzly bear, gray wolf, bison, moose, pronghorn, bobcat, beaver, raccoon, bald eagle, squirrel. Every north american animal model restores real wildlife appearance with lifelike texture, ideal animal learning toys for 3+ year old boys, 4 year old boys, 5+ year old girls and boys. Solid woodland animal figurines for kids wildlife pretend play
- BPA-Free Sturdy PVC Safe Animal Toys for Multi-Age Kids: Kids safety always comes first! All wildlife animal figurines are crafted from thick high-quality solid PVC material, BPA-free, non-toxic and odorless. These durable plastic woodland animal figures work as safe animal toys, preschool toys ages 5-7 and wildlife learning models for kids 8-13. Help children explore north american woodland nature and boost imaginative creative play
- Exquisite Hand-Painted Realistic Wildlife Details:Each small woodland animal figurine features delicate hand-painted vivid color and lifelike skin textures. All solid animal models stand steadily without tipping over, heavy-duty structure for long-term daily play. Your little ones will love observing every realistic detail of these lifelike zoo wildlife figurines, great collectible woodland animal toys for kids bedroom shelf decor
- Educational Pretend Play Safari Woodland Playset:These educational north american animal figurines support multiple learning & play scenarios: zoo pretend play, preschool classroom activities, homeschool nature study, arts and crafts projects. The realistic wildlife animal models spark kids’ curiosity about woodland jungle ecosystem, educational animal toys for kids 5-7 and early learning
- Multi-Scenario Gift & Party Favor Woodland Animal Cake Toppers: Versatile realistic zoo animal figurines as all-occasion kid gifts & party supplies: Valentine kids party favor, birthday cake toppers, Christmas holiday presents, baby shower decorations, classroom reward prizes and shelf display collectibles. This solid woodland animal toys set is an ideal all-round gift for boys and girls of all ages, great decorative wildlife figurines for kids room display
| Response | What it may address | What the reporting establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Night guarding, dogs, fencing or repellents | Immediate protection attempted by individual farmers | These measures are reported as used, but their effectiveness, reliability and cost are not established; fencing did not prevent losses in every account. |
| Habitat improvement | A longer-term landscape response intended to reduce pressure on crops | Silwal supports this approach, but the sources do not show that it has prevented raids in these communities. |
| Relocation | Moving animals away from affected areas | A proposed relocation from Sarlahi reportedly stalled because of budget constraints. One official supported relocation as a temporary measure; no demonstrated outcome is reported. |
| Classifying nilgai as agricultural pests or allowing hunting | A legal or population-management response | Lawmakers had raised pest classification and one official argued for hunting. Silwal opposed killing, saying, “Killing animals can never be a solution.” The report does not describe these proposals as adopted policy or proven remedies. |
The measures differ in who bears the cost, how quickly they might help, and whether they address losses beyond an individual field. The cited reporting does not provide a controlled comparison that identifies a generally effective intervention. It also does not establish current legal rules for every relevant Indian state or Nepalese province; proposals and reported practices should not be taken as legal advice.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What support is announced for Indian farmers
India’s Ministry of Agriculture announced that wild-animal attack would be recognized as an add-on cover under the localized-risk category of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), with rollout from Kharif 2026. Nilgai are among the species listed as causing crop loss. Under the announced framework, states are to notify covered wild animals and identify vulnerable districts or insurance units. Farmers must report a loss within 72 hours through the Crop Insurance App and submit geotagged photographs. This is an Indian scheme announcement; it does not apply to Nepal, and the announcement does not mean every district has already been notified. Farmers should check current state notifications and official scheme instructions. Government of India announcement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Realistic White-Tailed Deer Family Playset: 2 adult & 2 fawn deer figurines. Mix freely with other animal figurines to build a vivid wildlife world scene, also perfect as Christmas decorations.
- Exquisite Hand-Painted Details: Each Animal Figurines toy for toddlers is hand-painted with realistic textures and vivid colors. Their sturdy designs ensure they stand upright and Kids will love spending hours exploring their lifelike features and unique details.
- Child-Friendly & Long-Lasting: Made of BPA-free non-toxic PVC, these lightweight animal figurines fit little hands perfectly, safe and durable for kids, making them ideal for young children, teachers, and collectors.
- Educational & Developmental Play Resource:Ideal for educational purposes, creative role-playing, school projects, and thematic decorations, these figurines help develop fine motor skills, critical thinking, and storytelling abilities.
- Impressive Gift Set: This White-Tailed Deer Family Figurines collection is an ideal birthday and holiday gift for kids of all genders. It can also be exquisite cake toppers and Christmas ornaments for festive home decor.
Rank #4
- SO REALISTIC, THEY MIGHT JUST MOVE - From feathers to fur, claws to paws - every schleich WILD LIFE figurine is crafted with precise details to spark curiosity and inspire play
- HEALTHY IMAGINATIVE PLAY. The White-Tailed Fawn from Schleich is carefully designed to inspire safe and creative pretend play for children as both a single toy or part of a larger collection.
- PART OF A GROWING PLAY WORLD. The White-Tailed Fawn is part of the Wild Life collection of figurines and playsets from Schleich. Great for gifting, this figurine can stand alone or fit into a larger, modular play world.
- STEP INTO THE WILD SIDE OF WILD LIFE - Adventure awaits! Swing through the jungle with the monkeys, spot the lions on safari, hear the howl of the wolf through the trees. Our Wild Life play sets include grassland, woodland, forest creatures and more.
- IMAGINATION WITHOUT LIMITATION - Schleich toys come in all shapes and sizes to bring every story to life. We value sustainability which is why we have created diverse worlds of durable toys built-to-last that can be treasured for generations to come.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
