The problem of poaching is acute in 43 out of 147 villages bordering Chilika, where poachers come up with newer tricks to escape wildlife vigilance. The latest trend is to make children, between 12 to 15 years of age, smuggle poisoned grains and food balls to the required sites to avoid police detection. Like professional poachers, the children are trained to catch the birds by laying out nets and spreading poisoned baits. “It is really unfortunate that poachers are involving children in this illegal practice. They think we will not suspect children. But special arrangements have been made this time to check poaching. Eighteen anti-poaching squads including two mobile units have been formed to keep vigil over the lake. Fifteen habitual offenders have been identified and are being kept under special surveillance,” clarified Bijay Mohapatra, assistant chief conservator of forests (ACCF).
“The unholy alliance between poachers, wildlife officials and meat smugglers has created a death trap for the innocent birds. Officials are regularly bribed to turn a blind eye to the rampant poaching,” Pabitra Pradhan of Ratanpur alleged. ACCF disagrees. Retorts Mohapatra, “These are baseless accusations. The fact is that the budget allocation for the surveillance is not sufficient, therefore sometimes it is difficult for us to survey every nook and corner of Chilika. However, we are trying our best to stop poaching by creating awareness among local people.”
Sehadev Das, president of Chilika Anchalik Parishad proposes a practical alternative, “The government spends lakhs of rupees every year but poaching continues. It is mostly the poor fishermen who take to poaching birds! I think a better way to check poaching would be to promote tourism. If poachers are employed as guides who take tourists around the place, they can earn their livelihood in a less murderous way.”
Environment activists and village elders have in fact even motivated some poachers to take an oath to protect the birds. This novel approach paid off and many poachers are now vigilant members of the Bird Watch committees. In return, the local administration made available soft loans on low interest and persuaded them to take up other livelihood initiatives instead of poaching. Sorana village in Khurdha district, which was once infamous for poaching, had taken a lead role in protecting the birds. Unfortunately, more initiatives are needed to preserve one of our last few natural havens, for after all, one swallow does not make a summer… or a winter.
“The unholy alliance between poachers, wildlife officials and meat smugglers has created a death trap for the innocent birds. Officials are regularly bribed to turn a blind eye to the rampant poaching,” Pabitra Pradhan of Ratanpur alleged. ACCF disagrees. Retorts Mohapatra, “These are baseless accusations. The fact is that the budget allocation for the surveillance is not sufficient, therefore sometimes it is difficult for us to survey every nook and corner of Chilika. However, we are trying our best to stop poaching by creating awareness among local people.”
Sehadev Das, president of Chilika Anchalik Parishad proposes a practical alternative, “The government spends lakhs of rupees every year but poaching continues. It is mostly the poor fishermen who take to poaching birds! I think a better way to check poaching would be to promote tourism. If poachers are employed as guides who take tourists around the place, they can earn their livelihood in a less murderous way.”
Environment activists and village elders have in fact even motivated some poachers to take an oath to protect the birds. This novel approach paid off and many poachers are now vigilant members of the Bird Watch committees. In return, the local administration made available soft loans on low interest and persuaded them to take up other livelihood initiatives instead of poaching. Sorana village in Khurdha district, which was once infamous for poaching, had taken a lead role in protecting the birds. Unfortunately, more initiatives are needed to preserve one of our last few natural havens, for after all, one swallow does not make a summer… or a winter.
No comments:
Post a Comment