The recent incident at Thothamukkai near Kotagiri relating to the killing of a woman by a bear and its gunning down in an operation that followed has brought into focus the role of conservationists in such situations.
While it was stated by forest officials immediately after the incident that the bear had been shot dead by STF and forest personnel, it turned out that among those who opened fire was N.Sadiq Ali, Founder-Trustee of the Wildlife and Nature Conservation Trust. With this kicking up a controversy, a call for a debate on the subject has started gaining ground. The question being asked is on what basis members of non-governmental organisations are being invited by the forest department to be part of exigencies arising out of man-wild animal conflicts.
When contacted, Mr. Ali said “since senior forest officials at the spot asked me to open fire, I used my licensed pistol to shoot the animal”. He claimed that it was only to scare the bear.
The District Forest Officer, the Nilgiris South, C. Badhrasami said that the situation warranted such action as a forest official was under the bear and opening fire with a powerful gun would have placed in jeopardy the official. Stating that Mr.Ali has been authorised to be part of Rescue and Rehabilitation operations, he said that Section 11 of the Wildlife Act clearly states that when a wild animal is attacking a person it can be killed.
To a question on the proposed Rapid Response Team (RRT) to deal with situations created by man-wild animal conflicts, he said that it would comprise only forest officials.
The Executive Committee member Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association (NWEA) K.Vijay hoped that the RRT would be a well equipped elite squad. Pointing out that often the members would have to cope with hostile terrain and situations, he said that they should be young, healthy and well trained.
