We often come across the news
especially during summer that wild animal like Elephants enter into border
villages seeking water and food. Changing climate and human greed are the sole
reasons for these human and wild life confrontations which results in severe
crop, infrastructure and human life damages. The current approach of simply
scaring and chasing them away back into the depleted forest doesn’t resolve the
burning issue.
People keep pleading and blaming government
and forest officials for this perennial problem. Which government has enough money
to cater the needs of animals when they can’t meet the needs of the taxpayer
itself? Also it is tough to realize successful private projects like Shamwari group
of South Africa at every corner of the world.
Instead of blaming others, the people of
the border villages need to pitch in. They need to form self-help groups,
volunteer to restore forest wealth (nothing expensive – simply restore and create
new water catchments areas, strictly avoid deforestation and forest land
encroachments). If possible, the local administration can pool in the needed manual
labor from NREGA scheme. May
be MNC too can pitch in by buying acres of land near forest, turn it into game
reserves and provide it as vacation spot to its employees. And gradually start demarcating or fencing of
the entire forest landscape with help of eco-friendly and energy efficient methods
invented by modern technological advancements. It is high time that we play the
role of gardeners of forests - guard, prune and tends to its needs. Apart from
resolving the current problem at hand, we can reap umpteen numbers of benefits
out of it in the long run too.
When people show real earnest in protecting
these animals and their habitat, obviously government will enact strong laws to
support them.
Do not plead; instead lead by being a Forest
Thumb.
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