We keep hearing about elephants being rammed by trains, rhinos and tigers being killed by poachers, aquatic animals dying directly or indirectly from overfishing, and scavengers such as vultures being poisoned by residual diclofenac in carcasses. I think the solution to these problems lies in educating people about the importance of all living beings in the ecosystem.
A kilo of llish / Hilsa (types of fish) now cost around Rs. 1,500 to 2,000; this demand that has led to a precipitous decrease in its population. Therefore, we must educate consumers and traders along with the fishermen, who cannot be blamed alone because they must earn a living too, about balanced harvesting, which means catching a smaller number of fish across a range of sizes instead of fishing all the large ones.
This is true for poaching as well. The demand for animal products drives up its price and this tempts poachers to kill animals despite great risks. The most commonly poached animals in our country is the one-horned rhinoceros, an animal which now survives in only a select few National Parks. Sometimes poachers are not punished even when they are caught, and in any case arresting the poachers does not affect the masterminds of the global trade in animal parts.
In our country, it is difficult to punish people for even the pettiest crimes, let alone crimes against animals. In the case of hunting animals, we should ask ourselves these simple questions — should an animal suffer because they cannot speak to us? Don’t all living beings deserve basic rights?
The driver did not stop the train in the accident in North Bengal and ended up killing seven adult and two young elephants a few weeks ago. Even then, no charges were pressed against him. Was this a just decision?
Abhiroop Chatterjee, VI B, South City International school, Kolkata
