Guest guest Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 Link: http://www.nagalandpost.com/regionaldesc.asp?sectionID=58494 *Wildlife crimes and role of media * Staff Reporter Wild Mahsheer (Sonitpur), April 13 (NPN): A two-day workshop on " Wildlife Crimes: The Role of Media, " held here from April 9 to 10, underlined that humans cannot grow at the cost of wildlife and therefore, its conservation was vital for the survival of humans. Organized by the American Centre, Kolkata, with support from Mumbai-based " Sanctuary " , a periodical on wildlife, and attended by nine journalists from seven of the eight northeastern States and also West Bengal, the workshop deliberated on a wide range of issues, from climate change to the fight against wildlife trafficking. Welcoming the participants, Director of American Centre, Kolkata, Douglas G. Kelly threw light on the rapid growth of illegal trade in wildlife that has pushed a number of species on the brink of extinction. He said in addition to the serious threats to biodiversity, wildlife trafficking posed health threats as some diseases such as Avian Influenza, SARS, Ebola Virus and tuberculosis could jump from animals to humans. " In some cases, it rivals the profits made from trafficking in drugs and weapons. " According to Kelly, the trade involves an estimated 10 billion US dollars each year globally. Kelly said creation of the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) by the US State Department was aimed at bringing the public and private sectors together in order to raise awareness on the menace of wildlife trafficking and to help nations work together. Making a presentation on the need to protect and preserve wildlife, Bittu Sahgal, Editor of Sanctuary, said the fate of India today rested solely on the Northeast after large-scale deforestation and subsequent industrialization. He said at a time when climate change posed a serious threat to India, it was the Northeast that could determine the fate of the country by protecting and preserving its wildlife. Giving a minute description on global warming vis-à-vis climate change, Sahgal called upon the people of Northeast not to to deforestation for industrialization. He cautioned that deforestation would leave an adverse effect not only on wildlife but entire human habitat. In this connection, Sahgal made a vitriolic attack on urban India for allegedly trying to colonialize rural India. He vividly described how climate change would trigger migration of population, thus leaving very little for wildlife habitat. " If we want to save India, save the Northeast first, " he insisted. Sahgal also highlighted the menace of wildlife trafficking and the network between poachers and drug mafias. " The situation has come to such a pass that you get drugs only in exchange of animal parts, " Sahgal said. He appealed to media persons in the Northeast to create awareness for preservation and conservation of wildlife. Dr. Anupam Sarmah, Director of WWF North Brahmaputra Project, while making a presentation on wildlife in the Northeast and its conservation, emphasized on restoration of the lost forest cover. He highlighted how half of Soniarupai and a chunk of Balipara Reserved Forests in Sonitpur district of Assam were ravaged by poachers and encroachers. He said there had been a sudden spurt in human-wild animal conflicts especially in North Bank Landscape owing to deforestation. Dr. Sarmah disclosed that 70 elephants and 125 people were reported killed during the period 1996 and 2003 in human-elephant conflicts. He gave an overview of various initiatives taken by WWF India for the conservation of wildlife. On their part, the journalists highlighted the situation in their respective State. On the second day of the workshop, the journalists were taken to Nameri National Park for bird watching. Nestled on the foothills of Eastern Himalayas, the Nameri National Park is most scenic of all national parks in Assam. It is the home to many endangered species and known for its elephant population. -- United against elephant polo http://www.stopelephantpolo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.