Editor
A section of the local media have reported on the indigenous festival ‘Shad Rongkhli’ of Raid Nongtalang, where a certain clan under the Raid would go and hunt a Clouded Leopard(Neofelis nebulusa) from the forest to be used for sacrificial purposes. The Clouded Leopard is magnificent, unique and the only endemic species belonging to the Felidae family found in Meghalaya and other North-Eastern states. It is sad to see that the species mentioned above has also been classed as a vulnerable and threatened species by CITES and by the Forest and Wildlife Conservation Department, Govt of India. The population of leopard species in many North-Eastern states is on the decline mainly because of rampant, illegal poaching and ecological destruction of their habitat due to population growth. A clear example is the death of leopards killed by humans in Assam in the last few months owing to the habitat declination; a factor that forces the animal to enter into areas of human habitation, thereby leading to animal-human conflicts in which the result is always is tragic for the wild animal.
I am not against celebration of any such festival if it conforms to environmental ethics, but in the above case I think that we should introspect on the detrimental ecological consequences it can have on that poor species, which is under tremendous duress from all spheres to survive and flourish in their declining habitat. Culture of any social or tribal group can be conserved, protected and passed on to the future generation only and if it has the factor of adaptability and evolution with the demands of time. The above indigenous cultural festival can further endanger the unique animal species in our state which resembles the mighty Jaguar of the Amazonian rain-forest. Another factor is that such practices which promote inhumane exploitation of such species is endorsed by culture. What will happen if the species become extinct? What kind of a culture will promote destruction of the environment and its component? What will the future generation learn from such practices? More destruction and exploitation? How would the coming generation feel when they can only see or know about the Clouded Leopard of our state in still pictures and photographic artefacts, books or magazines like the extinct Dinosaurs? Our cultural practice should be modified to adapt and adjust to the present and future condition where every type of natural resources found on our planet living and non-living are on the alarming trend of being totally wiped out forever from our planet. If we are not conscious of our present actions they can have a deep ecological repercussions which will be irreversible in the near future.
The species above is also a potential resource in our State if we can conserve and protect their population and habitat. Development of ecological watch and adventurous safari tourism in other parts of the world has proved that culture can go along with wildlife and environmental conservation. So why can’t we replicate this model? Its time we follow the example of the Nyishi tribe in our neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh who agreed and accepted the replicated fibre-made beaks called ‘Pudum’ resembling the Great yellow pied Hornbill’s beak to be used as traditional headgear. The initiation by the former Divisional Forest Officer and Conservationist of Pakke Tiger Reserve & Wildlife Sanctuary in East Kameng district in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India ingeniously saved the Great Hornbill population from extinction. We should do the same too. Replicas of the Clouded Leopard can be used for the festival so we can save this amazing species from extinction. Lastly the Department of Wild Life Conservation should take note of this serious matter and find out a creative solution before we reach an ecological crisis. Illegal poaching in our state is widely prevalent even though the Government has passed many laws preventing the killing of wildlife species. Many villagers possess illegal, unlicensed guns used for killing and poaching animals. The implementation of these laws is dismal. We need to conserve our environment; it is precious and limited. The survival of an entire cultural group depends on it and its components
Yours etc.,
W B Syiemlieh,
Via email
Clarification
Editor,
We are highly aggrieved with the news item published in your esteemed daily newspaper on 18/03/2012 under the heading “Court Order on encroachment by Cantonment Board members” which is a one sided story.
The Writ Petition filed by Pawan Sharma in the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court was vehemently opposed by Bimal Bajaj and Ms. Urmila Devi Subba as frivolous and vexatious. Pawan Sharma being not the resident of Cantonment area filed the said Writ Petition for some extraneous consideration. The S.P., East Khasi Hills in his report dated 04/11/2011 submitted to CEO, Cantonment Board confirmed that Pawan Sharma is not the resident of Cantonment area. Bimal Bajaj and Ms. Urmila Devi Subba in their reply before the High Court highlighted various criminal cases of extortion of money pending in the court against Pawan Sharma. Pawan Sharma filed the case against them in the High Court for blackmailing them.
The Hon’ble High Court while hearing the Writ Petition filed by Pawan Sharma concluded “In view of this submission, this Writ Petition does not survive for consideration” .
The order passed by the Hon’ble High Court in the Writ Petition is highly exaggerated when there is no finding by the Hon’ble Court with regard to encroachment as alleged in the news item. We deny flatly that there has been any encroachment in our holding. The Writ Petition filed by Pawan Sharma is nothing but an abuse of the process of court.
It may be stated that the Cantonment Board also has been conducting enquiry against Rajbir Sharma, S.P. Thapa and Pradeep Rana the Cantonment Ward members for violation of Cantonment laws.
Yours etc.,
Urmila Devi
Bimal Bajaj
Shillong