Parochialism : Hindrance to Wildlife Conservation

Crucial wildlife conservation projects are stalled due to parochialism which still persists in United India. Take the case of Asiatic Lion translocation from Gir in Gujarat to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh. 

Known as Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project the exercise to trans-locate a pride of lions is a Government of India initiative.  According to Wildlife Institute of India the project envisaged fetching the endangered animal out of isolation and prevent extinction due to disease transmission (epidemics), natural disasters, development projects and severe man animal conflicts.   

Earlier, before the decimation of the Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) due to excessive hunting and takeover of land, the species was spread out to many parts of Northern and Central India.  Today the lions are restricted to Gir National Park in Gujarat. Nowhere else outside India does the Asiatic Lion survives and its safeguard and conservation has become all the more crucial.

From last remaining population of about twenty two lions the population has grown to more than five hundred animals. This was a commendable conservation effort. But due to paucity of protected area in the last stronghold the predators are roaming in and around human habitations in an area of approximately 20, 000 square kilometers. This movement is a cause of concern to naturalists and conservation fraternity as man animal conflicts could lead to serious consequences for the beleaguered cat.  

Palpur Kuno in Madhya Pradesh

After an intense study Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary was found suitable for scientific lion reintroduction - a contingency plan to save the Asiatic Lion from extinction. Taking enough time the State Government with assistance of Central Government the Kuno habitat improvement took place keeping all aspect of the endangered cat's survival. Eventually the habitat with increased pray base was ready for the reintroduction exercise.     

Gujarat Government Opposition 

The lion reintroduction has so far not taken place due parochialism that prevails. The Gujarat State Government came out with number of  issues related to the habitat and conservation practices in MP.

The Government considers the population of lions as a matter of State pride and heritage. Another contention that was put was that the predators have never been trans-located  successfully. This does not apply to present context as advance scientific means of translocation and rehabilitation in new environment are in practice.  The reintroduction of tigers at Panna and other places speaks contrary to it being a failure. The Government's attitude is nothing but a negative thought which we have still not done away with.  

Status       

The project is now stalled in a quagmire of legal proceedings, and it seems extrication from this would take a long time if ever. As far as translocation and rehabilitation is concerned we are much better placed with institutional support and backing of advance scientific techniques. The project should be completed as envisaged since conservation is a win win situation for the Nation and the critically endangered animals.      

In a surprising turnaround in June 2015 MOEF declared the project as  not viable. This was based on some grounds.  

It is up to the Gujarat Government to show a positive attitude and co-operate in the exercise for reintroduction of Asiatic Lions to Palpur Kuno. Wildlife conservation should take prominence since it is the matter of survival for beleaguered animals in India and not that of  heritage of pride.    

Saving Indian Wildlife - The Hard Way

If the need arise to kill poachers for heinous wild life crimes in and near our reserves it should be done so without hesitation. A nation that venerates cows should accord equal weight age to other life forms especially those which are highly vulnerable and on the brink of extinction. We are hopeful that our conservation ethos emanating from Vedas will accord more concern for other life forms.      

Recently there was a news in an online magazine criticizing shooting down of poachers in Kaziranga National Park which is acclaimed for Rhino conservation listed as vulnerable in IUCN red list. The species is critically endangered in India with most of its habitat lost to  human expansion and greed.  Rhinos are much wanted target of poachers for the value they carry. Albeit this action is taken by those authorized  as a last recourse but then there are no options left in such circumstances.    

Obviously the author of the report  does not believe in equating lives of other species with human life. She is not to be blamed since very large section of human society holds no reverence for other life forms, and does not value their life and does not  care for their survival on Earth.

Anyway we are least interested in souls lacking authority and genuine concerns raking controversies for sake of personnel gains pointing anomalies in our systems. Activism should be balanced with concern for all.  

This attitude is nothing but encouraging persecution of God's enigmatic creatures desperately making their last stand on a planet of which they are the rightful inheritors as well. 

The blame lies on human domination, a prerogative that is merciless on other life forms The destruction of Earth that is taking place more so in the recent times is due our human centered attitude at the cost of creatures big and small and their living space. One day we will also perish if we do not protect habitats and conserve wildlife with absolute regards.           

I have noticed on may occasions authorities shun action against those involved in wildlife crimes due to fear of local politicians, activist who do not care for our wilderness at all and yes the local thugs active in that region. In absence of protective umbrella from higher authorities lower staff is easily dominated by negative factors described here.  Political interference is at its peak in India, and some in power literally act as fascists. They have to be kept within the limits of their stipulated powers.  

In case of high valued trophies such as rhinos and tigers there is immense incentive to poach as they fetch a large price in the local and International markets. The poachers and smuggles are in total total disregard  of the laws shaped within the constitutional framework. Some of them are well trained and equipped with modern weapons and do not hesitate to kill those responsible for the protection of precious wildlife.  

The laws for protection of wildlife are lacking and provide easy maneuverability in the legal process due to plethora of lacunae and a system corrupt and inefficient. The cases take too long a time to come to a decision. All the factors pointed out here encourage poachers to go about their nefarious activities with impunity. Studying the tiger electrocution incidents at the hands of poachers will be a revelation for those interested in this matter.     

Species are being lost and whence the legal framework fails to punish and prevent it leaves no recourse but to go the hard way. Wildlife crimes lead to a vast network of International mafias which facilitate heinous crimes like terrorism and drug smuggling. If strong measures are not taken with strong will we will lose our environment as well allow loopholes used by the nexus that will be detrimental to our National security. The die is cast save the environment in totality or perish.             

Where Are The Candles?

The dastardly attack on the pious returning from Amarnath Yatra has shocked the Nation. Killing of innocent people has always been a modus operandi of the terrorists, in this case operating at the behest of the enemy in order to fulfill its nefarious design.    

Albeit this is not an attack on minorities by the extreme right and the zealots which is a grave wrong anyway or perceived as a larger issue hence does not call for a National awakening (to many) in forms of wide scale protests or candle marches. But it does call for a voluminous expression.

If we fail to condemn forcefully then we indirectly justify horrific actions of those who kill the innocent with impunity. This  should be irrespective of caste creed or ethnicity of the victims.  Even if this does not trigger a reaction on larger scale we the people should express sympathy for the victims or anger against the perpetrators in order to voice against the heinous act, and simultaneously stress National solidarity.

The cowardly attack should be mourned at the loss of citizens of our country. Or are our lives come that cheap that here too chlata hai attitude applies. 

As a matter of fact those ignoring the majority aspects are indirectly justifying the attitude of the extreme right and encouraging religious autocracy in the country. A rational and balanced approach is required by those at the forefront. There are the pseudo intellectuals who ignore these facts which could result in a negative fall out, but do come out to bask in the limelight of whatever seems productive to them.  

That this dastardly attack on women and children does not bring ill repute to Kashmiriyat which is pluralistic in nature. In fact Kashmiris play a major supporting role during the Yatra.    

Extinction Underway - Can We Save The Earth?

We have constantly failed to prevent extinction of species since modern civilization took roots. The reason being that nature often comes in the way of  economic urgency. The shape of our economy in modern times is much dependent upon industrialization, agriculture and our own consumption based lifestyle that does not conform to salient principles of rational resource management.      

Let's invoke the truth, human prerogative dominates all forms of life on Earth. The extermination of wildlife accelerated whence the gun came into the picture. Earlier times hunting was not a passion, it was at many places where agriculture was lacking a deemed necessity. The vermin concept proved deadly and brought many species to brink of extinction if not their complete annihilation.

The modern day hunting, and the rapid loss of wild species was further compounded by uncontrolled population growth. The expanding humanity ravaged all habitats that came its way from grasslands, rivers to dense forests. There was no place for natural inhabitants to go and they perished. This was done to make way for agricultural fields especially in countries like India and China, food was a major priority to feed its teeming millions - and ever growing. Damage done, the rot continued as industrialization made its appearance. In many countries there was extreme loss of habitat and complete extermination of wildlife.

To be fair it was not only rampant hunting and habitat destruction that completely wiped out many species on Earth a major factor that was responsible for this irreversible loss was our lack of understanding as to how ecosystems of Earth work. This gave rise to many fallacies like not giving importance to habitats and  preventing their destruction. It takes millions of years to create ecosystems which made life on Earth sustainable.

Tree felling was done to appease our uncontrollable appetite for wood, and then  commercial forestry in nascent stage added to the great loss. Even till this day our green lungs are being felled because many countries in South America and some parts of Asia are totally dependent upon wood for their economic survival. The remaining forest ecosystems are under severe threat.

The resultant disorder that already prevails thanks to consumption of fossil fuel will be worsened if nothing is done to stem the rot. Eventually climate change due to emission of warm gases will consume us, well if not now then in time to come. Our progeny will definitely pay the price for our follies. The effects are already being felt and in many places, the rising temperature and frequent weather disturbances have started to take a toll.            

Nevertheless we continue to pursue industrial policies and developmental goals that are taking a heavy toll of nature. The obsession with rapid economic growth can be understood but what is alarming is that we manage to circumvent  the concern that arises out of  resultant damage to the environment in the process. Our policy makers, the wise men are always able to justify damage to the environment that arises due to developmental agenda. Who cares? Well some people do. But their voice is lost in the vast milieu that comprises of greed filled people and those in the race for attaining economic goals.  

We are held for ransom in absence of sound developmental policies which may take their own time to emerge but this is an antithesis for quick economic resurgences. Sane innovative ideas and practices develop over a period of time if the pursuits are sincere; they would in turn mitigate the damage to  our environment. But who gives new emerging  paradigm the weighted consideration.

According to the report in The Guardian UK scientist warn that the sixth mass extinction is already under way. Already the space for existence of many keystone species  is constricted. In absence of effective conservation efforts and proper planning many more species are bound to become extinct in time to come.  

Public apathy, greed and mismanagement will hinder all actions that could stem the rot.  The species are becoming extinct at much faster rate than before. After already having lost billions of life forms  environmental concerns should be widespread prevalent, that which along with sound policies will continue to make the Earth a livable place.