Today the forest of Mount Abu cannot be considered ecologically alive, as the birds and beasts that once roamed these virgin forest are today almost nonexistent. The Tiger disappeared in the mid-forties as they were hunted by the English and the elite Rajput rulers. Gradually over the years other large animals like the deer, the Sambar, blue-bull and porcupine s have been poached and today one does not get to see hair or hide of these animals. The Leopard can be seen occasionally when it makes its way to the town premises in search of stray dogs and domesticated animals, this beautiful animal is also poached for its expensive hide.
Wild life protection in and around the forest of Abu are extremely poor due to lack of resources. Hunting is prohibited in this sanctuary of ours, but influential people still get a piece of the pie in the form of small game, trapped wild fowl and the hare. Today while returning from my jungle walk I witnessed a native smuggling a wild fowl in a sack, he must have set a trap earlier in the day. Why work one’s ass off for a daily wage of 250 buck when one can earn up to 300 for setting the right kind of trap for these exotic birds. In the seventies these birds were a common sight today they can be barely heard or seen.
Today I had taken a ride to the school and met Shankar at the Paddy’s bridge and this is what I witnessed have a look at the snaps.
Shankar releasing a trap at Paddy’s Bridge
A trap meant for fish
What a shame
Awful
Five snakes in all
No comments:
Post a Comment