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| Last Updated:08/06/2023

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India’s wildlife needs its people’s empathy, not just sympathy

 

 

A leopardess. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

 

 

India being a mega-biodiverse country has been a champion of numerous successful conservation programmes that include saving several critically endangered species from the clutch of certain extinctions over the past seven decades post-independence.

 

 

Species like tigers, lions, elephants, rhinoceros, snow leopard, clouded leopard, red panda, wild buffalo, bats, brow antlered deer, black buck, gibbons, monkeys, wild ass, Indian and Tibetan wolves, striped hyenas, sloth bear, Himalayan bear, Great Indian bustard, Bengal florican, Himalayan monal, various species of vultures and raptors, snakes, crocodiles, freshwater and marine turtles, tortoises, frogs, toads, salamanders and newts, indigenous fishes, birds and rare insect fauna and flora have been protected due to the rigid conservation efforts of several local and regional agencies as well by the monumental contributions of the state and central governments.

 

 

Credit goes to them for the awesome job they have done in the past and are still doing to make sure that we could preserve these natural resources and heritage of this honourable nation.

 

 

 

However, much needs to be done to protect the last remaining forests, majestic wildlife and spectacular biodiversity of the nation with the joint effort and contribution of all stakeholders, including Parliament, state assemblies, lawmakers, bureaucrats and the judiciary.

 

It is important for us to protect and preserve this unique natural heritage with sincerity and enthusiasm. We should not be too reactionary once a ‘man eater’ animal is randomly pointed at without direct as well as indirect credible evidences. Modern science and technology has provided us with numerous tools and techniques to provide proofs beyond any element of doubt. We should explore all these tools and techniques and opt for several viable and judicious alternatives related to wildlife management and care.

 

 

It is important that we do not jump to conclusions and make our decisions in exterminating suspected man eaters unless we have clinching evidences to link that animal both directly and indirectly to the crime for which it is being punished. Our wildlife needs our empathy, not just our sympathy.

 

 

 

 

Source:

 

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/wildlife-and-biodiversity/india-s-wildlife-needs-its-people-s-empathy-not-just-sympathy-64065