PANAJI: While the House went back and forth on what measures could be taken to ensure the safety of tigers in the state, former chief minister Churchill Alemao raised the need to safeguard the lives of humans as well. Alemao asked when humans are “punished” for “eating cow meat” can a tiger be spared for the same offence?
In true Alemao fashion, he raised the need for the government to be more humane in its approach. “Can a tiger eat a cow and there be no punishment for him?” he said on Wednesday.
While the statement drew scoffs from members of the House, Alemao made a case for protection of all— cow, man and tiger. The lone NCP MLA said, “This a serious matter, don’t laugh at me.”
Last month, four tigers—three cubs and a tigress— were killed in the state. He said that as per the forest act, tiger tops the list, while for humans the cow is more important. Alemao said poor villagers who lost their cows to tiger attacks, also lost their source of livelihood. “If a poor man loses his cow, his source of livelihood is destroyed. What if he has done something to the tiger, will he (man) be punished? Isn’t there any value for human life?” he said.
The former minister pointed out that even stray animals are tended to and cared for. “Former Union minister Maneka Gandhi wanted to do something for stray dogs. I see people sleeping on road and there is no one to look after them,” he said, urging the government to look at issues on “humanitarian grounds”.
The government must take steps to ensure that such incidents do not happen while also protecting villagers staying close to wildlife sanctuary, he said.
Five suspects arrested in connection with the poisoning of the tigers have been released on bail. The Goa government has faced flak for its lapse in protecting wildlife.
Chief minister Pramod Sawant told the House that an investigation is under way and that they are awaiting the reports of the viscera samples sent to four different laboratories in the country.
Earlier, former deputy chief minister Vijai Sardesai demanded a CBI probe into the incident.
In true Alemao fashion, he raised the need for the government to be more humane in its approach. “Can a tiger eat a cow and there be no punishment for him?” he said on Wednesday.
While the statement drew scoffs from members of the House, Alemao made a case for protection of all— cow, man and tiger. The lone NCP MLA said, “This a serious matter, don’t laugh at me.”
Last month, four tigers—three cubs and a tigress— were killed in the state. He said that as per the forest act, tiger tops the list, while for humans the cow is more important. Alemao said poor villagers who lost their cows to tiger attacks, also lost their source of livelihood. “If a poor man loses his cow, his source of livelihood is destroyed. What if he has done something to the tiger, will he (man) be punished? Isn’t there any value for human life?” he said.
The former minister pointed out that even stray animals are tended to and cared for. “Former Union minister Maneka Gandhi wanted to do something for stray dogs. I see people sleeping on road and there is no one to look after them,” he said, urging the government to look at issues on “humanitarian grounds”.
The government must take steps to ensure that such incidents do not happen while also protecting villagers staying close to wildlife sanctuary, he said.
Five suspects arrested in connection with the poisoning of the tigers have been released on bail. The Goa government has faced flak for its lapse in protecting wildlife.
Chief minister Pramod Sawant told the House that an investigation is under way and that they are awaiting the reports of the viscera samples sent to four different laboratories in the country.
Earlier, former deputy chief minister Vijai Sardesai demanded a CBI probe into the incident.
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