Is there no saviour left for the trees or the tigers as development-driven state and union governments forge ahead despite the consequences?
Deepak Laad
After the death of four tigers by poisoning came to light in Sattari’s Golavali village, there was a deluge of articles, editorials and columns in the local print media bandying global and national statistics of tiger population and detailed write-ups on how the departed unfortunate could have been saved. Though the tragic incident was condemned in the strongest terms by one and all, the moot question that remains is- whether the precious four lives of a species on the verge of extinction could have been saved?
Statistics put the number of tigers in Goa’s forests at three or four. With these four perished, it could be either nil now or at the most another one or two scavenging the area for food in their struggle to remain alive.
The forest guards were aware of the presence of cats and their movements in the area. They should have sensitized the shepherds and cowherds communities stressing that the cats were precious as they belong to endangered species and hence were under their protection. They should have also explained to them the legal consequences if the cats were harmed. The government that is now contemplating relocating the people residing in the forest area elsewhere, should have done it earlier.
Moreover, the Government had better promptly compensate the cowherds monetarily for the live stock killed in such cases. It goes to alleviate their anger and the revenge killing can be avoided. It surely is worth taking all this trouble as in this land of Modi’s 1.30 billion ‘bhaiyo aur bahno’ only three thousand tigers and left to eke out a living.
The governments’ indifference and citizens’ apathy in general toward the cat population has been witnessed in nation’s other tiger reserves too. Here is one bizarre incident that was witnessed few years back in Wayanad tiger reserve that is an example of the sordid state of affairs in tiger projects and puts a question mark on our country’s genuine concern about conserving the hurtling-toward-extinction species.
One day, the forest guards on their routine rounds discovered an emaciated animal awaiting imminent death. On close scrutiny they discovered that it had lost its canines and its ribs could be clearly counted. First it looked like a female till they discovered shriveled testes. After some close scrutiny they came to the conclusion that it was indeed a male famished tiger. They had to kill it to set the poor soul trapped in that dilapidated body, as there were nil hopes to resuscitate it.
On autopsy of the body it was further found that there was no traces of food in its intestines, instead tape worms were feasting on them. The lungs had collapsed. The cat could not have reached the state in a day, so the question is how the forest guards failed to keep track of the doomed animal.
Mostly we have we have seen that in such cases after some preliminary inquiry no serious deterrent punishments are awarded to the erring guards by the Government. So should we really continue spending tax payers’ money to provide livelihoods to the guards if they are unconcerned about the lives of the cats they are paid to guard?
The local politics invariably takes precedence over safety of cats. When the environmentalists suggested that, that particular area of Sattari should be carved out and demarcated as tiger project, the local MLA was the first to oppose, though the concerned ministry is Chief Minister’s business. The MLA expressed fear that such move would come in the way of development initiatives in that area.
Development-driven state and union governments are not concerned about the environmental degradation or endangering of animal preserves caused by development. There is no savior left for the trees or the tigers as the judiciary of the day is weighing on the side of government on the issue of development.
An NGO had opposed the Madya Pradesh government’s decision of broadening the existing road traversing through Pench tiger reserve to four lanes, out of fear that it would increase death toll of tigers crossing the road. The National Green Tribunal passed an order in their favour when the State Government’s decision was challenged before it.
Later on, the State approached the High Court and the Court reversed the tribunal’s order stressing in its order that the development of the nation is foremost and of paramount importance, not to be hampered by animal related minor issues.
Citizens from Arrey forest area in Mumbai had approached the Bombay High Court to save some two thousand trees that were marked for felling to prepare clearing to facilitate construction of metro shed.
Here too in the Court judgment progress and development of human species was given precedence over the life of the trees, which apart from serving as shelter to dwindling tiger population served as city’s lungs.
Most reprehensible act on the part of the High Court was, it refused to grant stay in the matter so the petitioners could seek relief from the Apex court. The state Government in a barbaric manner cut down 1800 trees in one night and the judges of High court and Supreme court watched it carnage without intervening. That was utterly disheartening.
Higher judiciary is supposed to be vigilant and it has the power to take suo moto cognizance in matters like this. Time the stakeholder of this democracy followed the dictum live and let live. Let the flora and fauna around us live.
