Panaji, June 7 (IANS): Goa forest authorities want farmers and those living near forested areas to use non-lethal 'Gandhi bandooks' to scare away wild animals, even as a senior forest official said the department will soon stop issuing NOCs for firearm licences.

"Now I have started writing back to them (gun licence applicants) to please use 'Gandhi bandook'... It makes a lot of sound to scare animals," Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Ajay Saxena said at a function organized by the Goa State Pollution Control Board here.

A 'Gandhi bandook' basically comprises of a metallic cylinder which is used to stuff potash and sulphur, whose coming together triggers loud blasts which scare away wild animals including elephants. 

The 'Gandhi bandook' has been used to good effect in areas which fringe wildlife sanctuaries. They are also known to keep wild elephants at bay.

"If you can't hunt and kill an animal, why do want a gun licence for? Just to fire blank round, use 'pataka'. I am going to stop issuing gun licence (for crop protection) because the reasoning is not fine," Saxena said.