JAIPUR: About 150 Bishnois from Marwar and Shekhawati regions gathered outside Aranya Bhavan, which houses the forest department at Jhalana, on Wednesday to protest poaching of gazelles. The protesters alleged that gazelle meat was being sold for around Rs150 per kg in parts of Shekhawati region. Protesters said they were forced to gather in the state capital as the forest officials failed to act on complaints made earlier. "Hosh me aaon, shikhar roko (wake up, stop the hunting)," the protesters shouted, calling on forest officials to take action against poachers.
Ram Niwas Bishnoi, a leader of the Bishnoi Tiger Force, a wildlife protection group comprising youth from the community, said, "About five months ago, we held a protest meeting after hearing of the killing of six to 10 gazelles in parts of Churu and Nagaur. In the districts with sizable Bishnoi population, local people maintain vigil. In some other districts, the killing of these animals for commercial purposes has been uncovered." He reasoned that an individual would scarcely hunt on such a large scale. "The last time we protested, forest officials assured us that action would be taken and poachers would be held. But nothing has happened. We now read news reports of gazelle meat being available at Rs150 per kg. If this continues, we will intensify our agitation," said Ram Niwas Bishnoi.
Wildlife conservationist Harsh Vardhan, who joined the protesters, said, "Gazelle is the state animal of Rajasthan. It is listed under Schedule 1 in the Wildlife Protection Act, with maximum legal protection. It is a prominent mammal of the desert region and thrives in dry deciduous forests. It is distinctive, with its brown coat and spiraled horns. It was fairly widespread in semi arid tracts of the state but poaching is causing their numbers to quickly dwindle."
The All India Bishnoi Mahasabha and local NGOs supported the agitation of the Bishnois. Lekhraj Lol, a leader of the group of protesters, said a memorandum was submitted to Maniram Punia, state chief conservator, wildlife. "Punia heard us out and assured prompt action," he said.
Ram Niwas Bishnoi, a leader of the Bishnoi Tiger Force, a wildlife protection group comprising youth from the community, said, "About five months ago, we held a protest meeting after hearing of the killing of six to 10 gazelles in parts of Churu and Nagaur. In the districts with sizable Bishnoi population, local people maintain vigil. In some other districts, the killing of these animals for commercial purposes has been uncovered." He reasoned that an individual would scarcely hunt on such a large scale. "The last time we protested, forest officials assured us that action would be taken and poachers would be held. But nothing has happened. We now read news reports of gazelle meat being available at Rs150 per kg. If this continues, we will intensify our agitation," said Ram Niwas Bishnoi.
Wildlife conservationist Harsh Vardhan, who joined the protesters, said, "Gazelle is the state animal of Rajasthan. It is listed under Schedule 1 in the Wildlife Protection Act, with maximum legal protection. It is a prominent mammal of the desert region and thrives in dry deciduous forests. It is distinctive, with its brown coat and spiraled horns. It was fairly widespread in semi arid tracts of the state but poaching is causing their numbers to quickly dwindle."
The All India Bishnoi Mahasabha and local NGOs supported the agitation of the Bishnois. Lekhraj Lol, a leader of the group of protesters, said a memorandum was submitted to Maniram Punia, state chief conservator, wildlife. "Punia heard us out and assured prompt action," he said.
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