Manas Wildlife Sanctuary - Essay Example

R.Preeti 23/6/2007 Environment Nature is the biggest gift of God to mankind, which in its varied manifestationsbestows numerous gifts on us. The food we eat, the raw materials we derive and our basic survival depends on the numerous endowments of God, in the form of nature. However, man, in his greed to attain more has exploited this gift of God and has almost destroyed it. Nevertheless, as they say, it is better late than never! It is high time that we humans, as the highest form of God's creation, take responsibility for our actions and make amendments for the same. Due to our careless activities in pursuit of our own comforts and luxuries, we have destroyed the various species of plants and animals that have inhabited our planet for millennia. This write-up deals with one of the danger spots of the world, as pointed out by UNESCO. We will be discussing the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, which is the danger-zone in terms of its ecological factor, situated in India. It has been highlighted as an ecological property that is on the World Heritage list on the website of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). We will talk about the causes for the destruction, potential threats, programmes for conservation that have been taken up by the Government of India; besides how it can lead to the extinction of some of the world's endangered species! Manas Wildlife Sanctuary Located on the foothills of the world's tallest mountain ranges, the Himalayas, the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is home for numerous species of animals and birds. It is one of the numerous spots around the world that is inhabited extensively by the wildlife. Since it lies at the confluence of the Indo-Gangetic and the Indo-Malayan plain, it exhibits great degree of diversity, in terms of the wildlife inhabiting the area, inclusive of few endangered species like the Indian rhinoceros, the elephant, the pygmy hog and the tiger. Since it is located on the fertile alluvial soil that is conducive for the growth of woodlands and grasslands, it is densely populated by the varied species of wildlife. However, due to the invasion of man and materialism into this animal kingdom, the sanctuary has suffered some extensive damages. Falling aprey to the numerous atrocious activities of man, in his attempt to extract the most amount of benefits from natural resources, the sanctuary has witnessed heavy diminishment. It was named under the list of the Danger Spots of the World, in the year 1992, as a result of the destruction of the sot due to the invasion of the Assamese Bodo tribes. Extensive damage had also been done due to destructive activities like poaching and others. Political stability and civil unrest are also cited as the reasons for this. Militant invasion, heavy human activity, etc. led to the diminishment of the quality of infrastructure of the sanctuary. The insurgency and militant movement that is quite rampant in the area has led to the destruction of about 30% of the tigers and 50% of the rare Indian rhinoceros. The loss is estimated to be about two million USD. This extensive damage and its high amounting has led to numerous outcomes. The main one seems to be that fact that the site has been declared a Danger Spot. This listing has instigated the Government of India and the State Government of Assam to take up measures of rehabilitation and resurrection of the exotic spot. The surrounding villagers being very poor depend on natural resources for their livelihood which they perceive the Park and Reserve to be denying them. They are therefore hostile to the National Park. Poaching, always a problem, is now serious, carried out by large well-financed and well-armed gangs, partly backed by traders in endangered species (Narayan,1990).These programmes have been done with the help of the local villagers and inhabitants to help them carry on with their livelihood without any disturbance, while also increasing awareness about the impact of harmful and selfish human activities. With these new improvement and resurrection measures coming into effect, numerous protection measures are seeing the light of the day. The Assamese Forest Department, which is the responsible authority for monitoring the growth and development of the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is taking steps to manage, preserve and protect the sanctuary. The body has taken up the ceasing of burning during the autumn months, to reduce the reverse effect on the flora. Previously, the slash and burn method was being followed in this region. However, owing to the new restrictions, this has been reduced considerably. This in turn, has brought about a positive reversal of change in the sanctuary. The forest area was converted into a sanctuary to protect the Pygmy Hog and the other rare species, specifically. The sanctuary also consists of a nearby Tiger Reserve. The restrictions do not apply to the surrounding buffer zone of the Tiger Reserve, which is managed on a multiple-use basis. There, residents are allowed to selectively remove timber, collect firewood, cultivate land and graze their domestic livestock and benefit from inoculation of their cattle, to prevent diseases being transmitted to the wildlife (Deb Roy,1992). These restrictions are of immense important, to ordain discipline in exploiting natural resources, which also need to be preserved, besides catering to our basic requisites. Field surveys, preparation of suitable and adequate conditions of living for the species, restrictions on poaching and encroachment, identification and protection of those species that are endangered and near extinction, etc. are some of the conservative methods that the Indian Government, along with the Assam Forest Department and State Government have taken up. The Government, has been in a constant attempt to further its motive of reversing the damages made by the local residents, while not derailing their livelihood and activities. Due to this, educative programmes, besides the conservation methodologies have been brought about, to work in coordination and interaction, to procure better results. This will not only ensure the protection of species, but will also lead to the future security and comfort of both, man and the other species. Some other additional methods of conservation under the Ex Situ methodology of conservation can be taken up. For instance, the Government can propose the introduction of segregated habitats for each species, in order to allow them to grow in natural conditions that are conducive for their breeding. Natural habitats are a great boost to the all-round growth and development of species who are relative to the habitat. Creating such specific natural conditions of living can in numerous ways, help increase the growth rate of the population of the species. Better conditions of growth can improve not only the quantity, but also the quality of the species in question. Thus, conservation and creating better facilities for the animals to live in, is a great mode of influencing positive changes to counter the damages made. The destruction of the sanctuary can lead to the extinction of a number of endangered species, specifically the Tigers and the Pygmy Hogs, besides the rare Indian one-horn Rhinoceros. This is a great loss to our planet, which is the sole one to house a vast variety of creatures. The world has witnessed the extinction of numerous such species due to our own selfish and hazardous activities. It is high time there comes a reversal of occurrences, to prevent extinction and to further improvement. Therefore, conservation and preservation of the sanctuary is a requisite to maintain the biological diversity, while also striking an ecological balance. Thus, maintaining the ecological and biological diversity, without causing any harm to any of the species and utilising our natural resources for our own benefit, without encroaching upon the living conditions of the other lesser species can help us attain a perfect balance. This can fulfil our requisites without posing a threat to other living creatures. After all, man is the supreme most being, as ordained by the Creator and it is our bounden duty to safeguard this paradise bestowed on us, in all its beauty and diversity. References http://whc.unesco.org/en/danger www.wikipedia.com http://www.wild-india.com/WildlifeSanctuaries/manas-wild-sanctuary.html Anjaneyulu, Environmental Sciences Read More