The barbarity called poaching: It’s high time we emulate Nepal
In recent days, we've been hearing news of such barbarianism by human beings on animals. Rhino poaching, leopard killings and even the killing of a royal Bengal tigress. In a time when everyone seems to be talking of saving animals and conserving wildlife, it's shameful to think that we have learnt nothing about compassion.
Just yesterday, another horrific piece of news emerged on how a rhino was killed in Manas National Park. The number of rhinos that have been killed this year alone in Assam are constantly on the rise. Why law enforcement can't seem to get their act together is confounding. There is a huge demand from China and Vietnam for endangered animal parts. This is part and parcel of superstitious beliefs which creates a market that encourages poaching. It is important to realize that once the demand stops, then only can we once and for all be rid of poaching.
In a time when every part of the world is encouraging people to be kind to animals and not wear fur, there is also another side to it which has been fuelled by beliefs that are so confounding and has no logic to it. These majestic animals are so beautiful and its saddening and disheartening to see them being killed for greed. The only time fur ever looks good is when it's on the actual animal and it looks its ugliest when worn by human beings.
In Tinsukia, Assam a few days ago, a leopard was brutally killed, its tail, nose and claws cut off. Blind faith seems to play a big part in the killings and the only way to eradicate such ignorance is by educating people on why we should conserve wildlife. The royal Bengal tigress that was killed in Nagaland sometime in February by villagers highlights the need to educate. The villagers probably didn't even know that tigers are an endangered species. Many might cite human animal conflict as a reasons for most of the killings but we should realize that there is only one livable planet and because of humans encroaching on every livable animal habitat, of course they will stray to human settlements.
On a more positive note, our neighbours in Nepal have celebrated the third year of no rhino poaching so it is not an impossible feat as many claim it to be. What is even more astonishing is that NE India has a huge poaching problem and China is the main black market for it but with a lot of effort from the rangers and the government, Nepal has given hope to the rest of the world that it is not impossible to stop this illegal trade that hinges on cruelty and greed.
By Jessica Passah
images: internet
