Why encroach wildlife terrain, asks official
While revealing that there have been many as 67 encounters with wildlife in Tamil Nadu, conservator of forests, Ashutosh Samant Singhar, on Wednesday blamed increasing human presence in wildlife corridors, resulting in the fragmentation of the ecosystem, for the rising man-animal conflict in the state.
“One of the main reasons for man-animal conflict is the encroachment of wildlife territory by humans. Some of these encounters, especially with tigers, prove fatal.
Around 67 people been killed by tigers across the country over the past few years and if anyone is to blame for these incidents, it is the people who built habitats along wildlife corridors,” the officer said, inaugurating an exhibition on endangered mammals in the city.
Calling for greater sensitivity to the needs of wildlife , he said it was important to arrive at a stage where both man and animals could co-exist peacefully. “ Despite rapid urbanisation, it is possible to protect the animals in our state,” he underlined.
Mr S.S. Jawahar, commssioner of museums, pointed out that the International Union for Conservation of Nature had listed 132 species of plants and animals in India as critically endangered.
“Plants seem to be the most threatened life form with 60 species being listed as critically endangered,” he added
Post new comment