Wildlife conservationists have expressed concern over illegal cattle grazing in forests, which could spread Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Anthrax among wild animals.
According to them, despite the efforts of the Forest Department, cattle rearers are taking advantage of the situation at places where the number of field staff is inadequate.
The Forest Department issues permits for each cattle head to be let into the forest for grazing. However, the rearers let more than the permitted number into forests, says T. S. Subramania Raja, secretary of Wildlife Association of Rajapalayam.
“It is not possible for the Forest Department to conduct surveillance over the entire stretch of forests. To stop illegal grazing, a ban should be introduced like in the Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary,” he adds.
“Because of the cattle, there is not sufficient water and food for animals such as Gaurs and Sambar Deer,” Mr. Raja told The Hindu on Monday.
A wildlife veterinarian explains that there is a risk of habitat degradation because of grazing. “The cattle are let in groups, comprising hundreds of cows. This results in shortage of food for the wild animals and affects their health,” he says.
“The wild animals have no immunity against FMD and Anthrax, which could be spread by the cattle. The cattle movement inside forests affects the growth of grass,” the veterinarian notes.
District Forest Officer of Kodaikanal D. Venkatesh says that strictly regulated cattle grazing could be permitted in forest areas, which have a good number of Spotted Deer population. “The cattle remove the unwanted shrub species and provide better pathway for the Spotted Deer to graze,” he says.
But in other areas of the forest, cattle are a competition to other herbivores, Mr. Venkatesh adds. “Much of the wildlife, including tigers, is seen commonly at foothills, where thorny bushes and shrubs are abundant. Therefore, an increase in cattle population and its invasion into the forest area could be one of the reasons for the destruction of tiger habitats and decline in its population over the years,” he explains. Cattle grazing is prohibited in Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve as well.
Wildlife Warden of Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary P. Sornappan says that grazing is prohibited in the forest area falling within the sanctuary. “We have reduced the number of permits being given to cattle in recent years. This year, we are planning to give permits to 3,000 cattle heads,” he adds.
According to him, it is mandatory for every cow to undergo vaccination for FMD and other diseases before being issued permit. “We are trying to create awareness among rearers of the impact the cattle have on wildlife,” he concludes.
Until 1972, when the Wildlife Protection Act was enacted, cattle grazing was one of the main reasons for poaching of tigers, says T.S. Subramania Raja, secretary of Wildlife Association of Rajapalayam.
“The rearers poisoned the tigers that came to attack the cattle before the Act was enacted. Even today, rearers are well aware of the spots that have wildlife movement inside the forests and there is the risk of poaching,” Mr. Raja notes.
The cattle also aid the growth of parthenium, an invasive plant species, inside the forest. It affects the growth of native species, say environmentalists. “Each revenue village has grazing lands, which are hardly used. The government should take efforts to regulate cattle grazing in these lands, rather than in the forest,” Mr. Raja adds.
A wildlife veterinarian says that the cattle, commonly known as ‘Malai Madu,’ is a non-descript species. “It is reared mainly for its dung, used as organic fertilizer, and meat. It is not a native species of the forest, as claimed by its rearers,” he says.
