The conflict between humans and animals has resulted in serious problems in many areas. This conflict has emerged largely due to the cutting of forests. Wild animals straying into villages and towns have become a common feature.
An example of this was witnessed in Uttar Pradesh this week, when a leopard suddenly appeared at the Aurangabad Khalsa village. It scared the people and forced them to stay hidden in their homes. This is yet another case where a leopard has attacked locals in recent times.
To capture the leopard this time, a rescue operation was launched by the forest department and the local police. But despite all their efforts, the team failed in its mission. The team installed three cages around the area where the leopard had last been spotted. The team also arranged a big net from the army to cover the area and trap it.
Finally, the leopard was shot dead on the third day of its stay in the village. By this time, a big question must have certainly arisen in everyone’s mind about the efficiency of the forest department.
This was not the first time when a wild creature entered a residential area. Earlier too, the forest department has often shown the same clumsiness when such situations have arisen.
A look at the records of the past two years shows that every year, quite a number of dangerous wild animals have entered in residential areas. The reason behind this is the cutting of forests, which deprives these animals of food and shelter. On the other hand, a recent report even shows that the population of leopards has been increasing in a certain national park in India.
This is a wake-up call for every one of us because forests play a big role in sustaining the planet. Nowadays, people are cutting forests for building their own houses – and in this excitement, they are forgetting that they are destroying the houses of others.
According to the National Forest Policy, 1988, a minimum of 33% of the country’s area should have a forest cover to preserve the balance in nature. If the forest cover decreases beyond this limit, environmental destruction will ensue. Additionally, an adequate forest cover will reduce the conflict between humans and animals and help in the conservation of wildlife.
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