Personal Thought: Think beyond the tiger (Opinion)

  • 19/03/2008

  • Central Chronicle

Undoubtedly tiger is an endangered specie, but it means not that we contemplate upon tiger only. There is need to think away from tiger too. If not, other species in danger of extinction too will disappear from this world without coming into our knowledge. In fact, at this juncture, story of cricket is being repeated. As we know, in front of cricket, other games are absolutely of less value. Perhaps due to this, we could not qualify for the Olympic first time in the history of hockey, whereas hockey is our national game. It is really shameful not only for the players of hockey but also for the Indians. In this correlation, we cannot blame any single person like KPS Gill. De facto entire system is accountable for this debacle. Cricket is one of the foremost reasons for this dismal state of affairs of hockey. Step-brotherly treatment must be stopped immediately. Otherwise, other games will be moved out from India without giving any notice. Similarly, in our country, we are paying our consideration towards fortification of tigers, whereas, so many other animals are as well in endangered position. Why are we not paying any concentration towards this point? This is actually a matter of immense anxiety for all the concerned people. Snow leopard, Gang tic Dolphin, Star tortoise, Porcupine, Butterfly, Vulture, etc are also endangered species. But nonentity is anxious in relation to this state of affairs. Everyone is talking about tigers only. Smuggling of butterfly from Sikkim is in full swing nowadays. Star tortoise is too being smuggled. In America, its demand is very high. Thus so many animals are being killed for different purposes in India. Dr Asad Rahmani, director of Bombay Natural History Society is puzzled over this condition. As per his opinion, it is a matter of great shock for everyone. Further he says that why Indian government never thinks beyond tigers? If this condition persists, as it is, extinction of other animals is also for sure. Furthermore elephant, musk-deer, leopard, woodpecker are also on way out. As per experts, total population of snow leopard is only 100-200. But Indian government is not willing to accept this figure. Death/killing of tigers is lesser than snow leopard. In spite of that tiger is in the list of the government for protection, while others are not. Well, Indian Animals Protection Act 1972 is also not flawless. Similarly, other laws which are persisting in India are additionally not foolproof. People are scot- free after killing endangered animals. If anybody comes in net of law, that one comes out from that net after paying petty fine only. This is indeed a ridicullous situation. Salman Khan, Nawab Pataudi and other celebrities found it a hobby to kill animals. However they have been let off with light punishments. Existence of Mother Nature depends upon equivalent equilibrium of every kind of flora and fauna. But this balance is not being maintained by us. For our own advantage or selfishness we are ignoring laws of nature. Sensibility has left us. We are now professionals. We have no time to think about environment. Money is our prime concern. In spite of knowing the positive and negative aspects of this situation, we are committing same mistakes again and again. Satish K Singh