The decision earlier this week (www.wildtiger.org/fs234) by the Maharashtra State Government allowing forest guards to shoot poachers has no doubt taken the "Tiger War" to a new level. While it has proven effective at various times in South Africa (mainly regarding Rhino poaching) and Nepal is this really the answer?
Poachers look to be heading to pay the ultimate price for their folly...they are not the only ones involved in this environmental crime which hurts us all. All I really feel at this stage is that far more onus has to be put on dealers and buyers as well.
I don't know. Give me a week to delve into this further.
In the meantime I'd really appreciate your thoughts...
Jack, as you know, here on the African continent several poachers have been shot and killed recently. The main driver behind rhino poaching here, organized crime, does not seem to be put off by this, rhino killing continues at a horrific rate. What will the affect be in Asia regarding the Tiger? Yeah, give me a week to think about it too. The message I saw on www.facebook.com/JaiBagh a few minutes ago (and I guess you wrote it) is very relevant - "When the buying stops, the killing stops" - human life is a big part of that now. Such an awful state of affairs.
ReplyDeleteMaybe not shoot them but longer jail time like 20 years give them time to think about their crime
ReplyDeleteI don't know anymore. I always thought it was best to convert the poachers into people who will protect the wildlife. That has happened a few times. As for shooting to kill, the problem is that this could easily escalate to like what's going on in Africa, where the poachers are now armed with AK-47s and the latest equipment. Even if the law catches up, the criminals will always be one step ahead. And then there's the issue of human rights. If someone innocent is killed, then you'll have a major backlash.
ReplyDeleteShoot them. I'm under no delusion that this serves as any kind of panacea. And to be sure, the ultimate punishment for poaching isn't simply about revenge. That's to say, justice should reflect the premium we place on the lives of these animals: their survival. Man the maker is not creator -- and it surely goes without saying we did not create the magnificent life forms which we're now driving extinct.
ReplyDeleteThough I don't confuse animal with human life (viz., we're the only animals capable of moral reasoning and moral responsibility), I derive this severe measure from the same moral logic justifying the the death penalty for murder. We believe in the death penalty for murder, not because we are barbaric, but precisely because we place a premium on innocent human life. Law is always educative. People are hence more likely to be deterred from murder. Killing poachers will be a deterrent. And from what I've seen, many of them are already using AK-47s and such.
I agree Jen. I have put forward my 2 cents worth on this on previous posts. To sum up I have major issues with shoot first ask questions later. And why stop at the poachers - what about the rich "businessmen" and middlemen who put n the orders? really vexed and complicated issue - but there has to be something radical put in place to stop the barbarity.
ReplyDeleteThe more I think about this the more I wonder where it could lead to. I remember the incident in western Nepal where three unarmed poachers were shot, it certainly sent a huge scare and was effective in that sense. However I so totally agree that until buyers are heavily penalized there will always be poachers willing to take the risk just as in drug trafficking etc.
ReplyDeleteGreat News, may be you remember, we were talking about law enforcement in one of your earlier post or share. However the decision of minister is effective and but seems little violating the human rights, but few recent events shocked all, what this all is the response against cruel tiger hunting by poachers. Well, let see upto when it will work. Nice news, thanks Jack
ReplyDeleteThe war has now begun in the real sense..the tiger tracker(Dharmdev Mahto) who was shot while returning after estinguishing a forest fire was probably shot by poachers...and now the forest officials will be on a hunt for poachers..5 tigers poached in tadoba. This step was necessary.
ReplyDeleteMay be not..i agree with Jen..but in Maharashtra it was necessary. 5 tigers 1 month... And this decision would certainly help reducing poaching activities...also a few villagers of Chindwara district have been arrested in connection with Rs.40 lakh killing contract give by delhi based company to hunt and skin 25 tigers.
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