Why Poaching?

 Why do people hunt illegally? Killing wild animals have been banned by the Govt. of India. People know that it is banned, but why do they do it? :
  • Pawan Jit feels it is cheaper to kill deer, sambar or other herbivores for the pot.

There are other reasons as well:
  • Explosion of herbivore population as the forest now lacks felines.
  • The meat of wild herbivores taste better. Does it need explaining?
  • Element of "heroism" associated with killing wild animals “shikar” even though one shoots a deer drinking water or uses a snare to catch and kill any animal.
  • Poverty: lack of a livelihood forces people to take to poaching
  • Economics: It is much more profitable to engage in poaching wildlife than other crimes
  • Lack of enforcement of laws



Explosion of herbivore population as the forest now lacks felines

Let’s first examine at the issue of explosion of herbivore population due to lack of felines as this is the justification given by the proponents of killing or “Culling”:
In earlier days, when human habitations were dispersed among jungles, the forests used to form the boundary of the human settlements. When one carnivore dies due to natural causes (or the occasional buck shot) another from the surrounding forests would come and take over the territory. In that manner, contiguous forests used to help in replenishing the stock. Today, when human habitations have become all pervasive and jungles are just small areas bound by this sea of humanity, animals can’t move from one jungle to another. So when an area becomes devoid of felines, the population of herbivores is bound to increase due to lack of natural predators. So the solution is not to kill the herbivores or “culling” as it is known abroad. One should look at the bigger picture.

 Re-establish the contiguity of our forests. Create corridors that link various forests, so that our forests are not isolated pockets. It is not easy, especially in these days when R&R is a big issue. However, one has to pay a price for a good thing. When there is a strong will, things get done easily. Once Rajesh Pilot, had promised to create a corridor between Sariska and Ranthambhore, though his village dausa would have been affected. After his sad demise in an accident, we don’t have a strong politician who can take up that cause.

Re-establishing contiguity of our forests will also help in avoiding the problems of a closed gene pool that invariably happens when the inhabitants of a close forest are forest to inbreed due to lack of alternatives.

To conclude, increase in herbivore population in an area beyond its carrying capacity is due to the loss in the ecological balance brought out by man. We are reducing the size of the forests, nature of forests, removing diversity and introducing monoculture in our forests etc so it leads to lowering the herbivore carrying capacity of our forests. We are responsible for this mess and rather than trying to understand the complex problem and resolve it, we are taking short cuts. I hope we understand the big picture and start resolving the core issue.

 Poverty/economics being the driving force behind poaching:
 I agree to some extent that lack of alternate livelihoods force people to take short cuts and poach wildlife. It is an accepted fact that the salary of our forest guards is meagre. And in this age of consumerism, when our wants are more than our needs, it becomes easier for people to succumb to temptations and poach. It is natural that most of the times, our forest guards turn a blind eye to poaching by influential people. The lack of enforcement of laws, slow process of trials in the courts, loopholes in the laws etc make the decision easier.

I agree that we can engage the ex-poachers to help us tracking wildlife and get good photos. They can make more money in this manner and it will help in reducing the hunger pangs that force them towards poaching.

 Lack of enforcement of laws:
Do you expect a 50 year old forest guard to run after the poachers? Half of the posts remain unfulfilled. There is hardly any money left for patrolling. In such a scenario, how do you expect that the forest department officials, even if they have the motive to enforce laws will be able to do so?

 Once a person is caught, the case drags on for ages. The rate of conviction in wildlife crimes is abysmal. So I agree with Pawan Jit that the US model with on the spot fines/ powers of the wardens would help. Fast rate of conviction will act as a deterrent.

 I agree with Pawan Jit that it is in our nature to kill. Only human beings are unscrupulous. We kill at the slightest provocation. And we kill without provocation. None of the animals engage in wanton killings. It is only human beings who do so. We don’t follow any rules and regulations unless controlled with an iron hand. So we need strict enforcement of our wildlife rules including the ban on hunting.

In Africa and in USA they encourage hunters to hunt in some of the areas and the proceeds go towards protecting the forests. However, I would like to point out the money is not actually a problem. It is the paucity of ideas, tardy implementation and of course corruption. In most of the Sanctuaries and National Parks, more effort is on construction in the name of infrastructure development or ecotourism. These buildings are constructed in the prime areas frequented by wildlife. I was told that one of our National Parks in the north got about 60 crores of rupees and most of it is meant to convert or dissuade one community that is involved in poaching. There are lot of well meaning donors. They don’t know where to spend the money. Channelising that money to needy places is important. There are lots of things that can be done to save our wilderness areas and our wildlife. Hunting or culling is not at all a solution for us in India.