In spite of strong conservation measures, the big cats in Central India continue to lose ground. The tragic death of the Jhurjura tigress at Bandhavgarh and the poaching of leopards at Sijhora and at Satpura Tiger Reserve are heartbreaking.
For many, these are mere statistics and news items but for wildlife lovers, this is distressing. What is frightening is the manner and number in which leopards are being killed. The animals are bold and dare venture near human habitation with ease albeit at times under duress. The primary targets are livestock, tame dogs, and often poultry.
The leopard is the first to face the scourge of locals who cannot bear to lose livestock. I have witnessed at Kanha National Park one such incident of cattle-killing by a leopard. Luckily the carcass was moved to human precincts in order to avoid poison killing the cat. So many such incidents occur all over India and are a regular feature at the periphery of National Parks like Kanha Kisli near Mandla, Bandhavgarh, and Pench Tiger Reserve.
At times ire of locals is understandable but it is a man who is the trespasser in areas reserved for other life forms. In order to manage over broad human population we are putting a lot of stress on our natural resources and the future is bleak.
Continued intrusion in leftover ecosystems and destruction of habit is an ongoing features and there is little hope for the beleaguered animals. Due to a lack of proper planning, implementation, and innovative approach, the problems in and around protected areas are taking a demonic form.
The lack of political will is most unsurprisingly due to fear of losing popularity and hence vote bank. This is quite evident in the case of relocation programs in tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries all over India. It is clearly man before animals and disregard for other life forms. The wild animals in India are third-grade citizens or maybe lower down.
The big cats are losing ground but the main reason at present seems to be man-animal conflict, and demand for tiger parts and skins, especially in Tibet and China. And our inability to provide physical protection to the endangered species closeted in small pockets augurs the death knell. We are clearly helpless in guarding our forests and precious wildlife.
In last two decades, solutions from all sources have been sought but there is none. Why not take the bull by the horns and catch the poacher red-handed followed by stringent punitive measures.
For many, these are mere statistics and news items but for wildlife lovers, this is distressing. What is frightening is the manner and number in which leopards are being killed. The animals are bold and dare venture near human habitation with ease albeit at times under duress. The primary targets are livestock, tame dogs, and often poultry.
The leopard is the first to face the scourge of locals who cannot bear to lose livestock. I have witnessed at Kanha National Park one such incident of cattle-killing by a leopard. Luckily the carcass was moved to human precincts in order to avoid poison killing the cat. So many such incidents occur all over India and are a regular feature at the periphery of National Parks like Kanha Kisli near Mandla, Bandhavgarh, and Pench Tiger Reserve.
At times ire of locals is understandable but it is a man who is the trespasser in areas reserved for other life forms. In order to manage over broad human population we are putting a lot of stress on our natural resources and the future is bleak.
Continued intrusion in leftover ecosystems and destruction of habit is an ongoing features and there is little hope for the beleaguered animals. Due to a lack of proper planning, implementation, and innovative approach, the problems in and around protected areas are taking a demonic form.
The lack of political will is most unsurprisingly due to fear of losing popularity and hence vote bank. This is quite evident in the case of relocation programs in tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries all over India. It is clearly man before animals and disregard for other life forms. The wild animals in India are third-grade citizens or maybe lower down.
The big cats are losing ground but the main reason at present seems to be man-animal conflict, and demand for tiger parts and skins, especially in Tibet and China. And our inability to provide physical protection to the endangered species closeted in small pockets augurs the death knell. We are clearly helpless in guarding our forests and precious wildlife.
In last two decades, solutions from all sources have been sought but there is none. Why not take the bull by the horns and catch the poacher red-handed followed by stringent punitive measures.
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