Last year we lost a tiger in a road accident in Motipur range of Katerniaghat. Actually it is a buffer area but rich in tiger population. Assam road passes through it. The road has been improved now with smooth run way. The speed of the vehicle has increased which is a permanent threat to the wild animals which cross the roads mainly during dawn and dusk.To avoid further such accident we put more than a dozen sinages after certain intervals informing drivers regarding the speed limits, wildlife zone, reserve forests etc. We created many speed breakers also do minimise the speed limit of the passing vehicles. We record movement details also on barrier and educate people to drive slow while passing this area. Then I realise that during night time it is not possible for us to guard the passage round the clock. To alarm people and drivers we have put two cut outs of tigers of actual size along the road which is easily visible from a distance. It was an innovative approach. It worked very well. I have noticed that during nights many a times drivers stop the vehicle after seeing the cut outs.
Similar effective and innovative 'weapons' have been informed by Amit Misra regarding tackling such situations:
Amit Misra suggests: Since both man and animal would be moving inside and around the forests , in my view the easiest way to avoid a conflict is to alert the animal before hand so that it may not be taken by surprise and at may avoid the same path after hearing some “different” noise. Some of my suggestions are as under –
People should wear Bright Coloured Cloths – this might be seen by the animal before hand and it might avoid a conflict.
Empty Plastic disposable bottle could be used to make a crackling sound which can be a very effective tool to create sound.
To avoid sitting down as this might outline the human to be looked as a monkey and induce an attack on him.
People especially those who are cutting grass or working in field should have one person standing and guarding and should also at regular intervals blow a whistle or use the plastic bottle.
People moving on cycles could fit thin metal strips on the tyre rim which would constantly make a rattling sound.
Cycles could be fitted with blow horns which are used at at regular interval.
Usually a fence of some kind drawn around domestic animals. An addition could be the hanging of two or more old tin containers next to each other or glass bottles which would bang against each other when disturbed and create some noise or use of bells (Ghungroo) .
In Sundarbans people wear masks on the reverse of their head while at work. This creates an illusion for the animal and might avoid an attack.
This list is the start for new and more innovative and practical ideas to be thought off. In my view noise can be used as an effective tool to alert and animal and avoid a conflict. I would request every person reading this blog to think of some idea and put them forward , so that a whole arsenal of “Anti Man-Animal Conflict” weapons could be developed and wildlife saved.
People should wear Bright Coloured Cloths – this might be seen by the animal before hand and it might avoid a conflict.
Empty Plastic disposable bottle could be used to make a crackling sound which can be a very effective tool to create sound.
To avoid sitting down as this might outline the human to be looked as a monkey and induce an attack on him.
People especially those who are cutting grass or working in field should have one person standing and guarding and should also at regular intervals blow a whistle or use the plastic bottle.
People moving on cycles could fit thin metal strips on the tyre rim which would constantly make a rattling sound.
Cycles could be fitted with blow horns which are used at at regular interval.
Usually a fence of some kind drawn around domestic animals. An addition could be the hanging of two or more old tin containers next to each other or glass bottles which would bang against each other when disturbed and create some noise or use of bells (Ghungroo) .
In Sundarbans people wear masks on the reverse of their head while at work. This creates an illusion for the animal and might avoid an attack.
This list is the start for new and more innovative and practical ideas to be thought off. In my view noise can be used as an effective tool to alert and animal and avoid a conflict. I would request every person reading this blog to think of some idea and put them forward , so that a whole arsenal of “Anti Man-Animal Conflict” weapons could be developed and wildlife saved.
Hope it will be of use for the people who believes that such measures can mitigate man-animal conflict with such sincere and continuous efforts.
Photo- Ramesh Pandey
2 comments:
My experience in the usa showed me that they wear flaming orange colored clothing in the wilderness.Makes me wonder Why we wear "olive green"? Bright orange is easily detectable from far away and has saved may a lives...of people lost in wilderness.
nice effort , i must say!
Pratibha Singh
I must congratulate Ramesh for his efforts made at Katerniaghat. I recollect my information 9 years back and feel wildlife population has increased - proves the sincere and hard working with scientific inputs.
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