Please Stop Acting God

Recently, Nilanga Jayasinghe, Manager, Asian Species, Wildlife Conservation Team, WWF-US, wrote:

The long-term survival of some of the world’s most iconic species, including elephants and tigers, is at risk from a significant and escalating threat: human-wildlife conflict. Human-wildlife conflict is when encounters between humans and wildlife lead to negative results, such as loss of property, livelihoods, and even life. Defensive and retaliatory killing may eventually drive these species to extinction.

In my last blog on Biodiversity Bill being discussed in the Parliament, I too wrote: “When conservation is at the cost of human development - conservation will eventually suffer”.

When one species is given primacy over another, an imbalance will be created. Creating an imbalance is not conservation – it is antithesis to sound and workable ecosystem conservation concept.

The following video is an example of how terribly wrong we are going with our conservation policy. The bear was seen yesterday at about 1.30PM close to the IT Park in Babesa that is bang within the Thimphu metropolis.

Proof of the failure of our conservation policy

In recent times, the KUENSEL reported many sightings of the Himalayan Black Bear in the capital city – in places like, Lungtenphu, Serbithang, Upper Motithang, Taba, Chamjeykha, Tango & Chari and Jemina.

Thousands of rural dwellers have been driven out of their ancestral homes – this video is proof that in times to come, the urban residents too are likely to be driven out – but where? Or, it will result in the extermination of the same species that we have committed to shelter.

Please rethink our conservation policy – before it is too late. Don’t become a Tsedhar Tshokpa – an initiative that attempts to defy and challenge and interfere with the natural laws.

Please recollect the confrontational situation of yore that had resulted in the near extermination of the wild dog population, the consequences of which we are still suffering even after many decades.

The above video is a rude reminder to us that our environment cannot be as pristine as we say it is. It proves to us that the wild bear has been forced to risk its life, and invade human habitat, in search of food. The only reason I can think of is that its own habit has no food for it to safely feed on.

This is yet another point I have been making repeatedly - in tune with forestry scientist Dr. Phuntsho Namgyel's - that the quality of our forests have deteriorated so much that it can no longer provide adequate space to support other useful life forms. It is obvious that our forests are overstocked with unproductive and aged trees that choke up life. They need to be removed in order that it can provide space for the proliferation of such life forms that provide sustenance to other life forms - such as the bear.