Wildlife management: Challenges in the
21st century
Wildlife of Bangladesh
By
dr.fourkan Ali
In
paragraph (O) of Article 2 of the Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) Order, 1974,
wildlife has been defined as "any vertebrate creature, other than human beings
and animals of usually domesticated species or fish, and includes the eggs of
birds and reptiles". As per this definition wildlife includes amphibians,
reptiles, birds and mammals. This definition has been adopted for management
and preservation purposes. But in the true sense, wildlife refers to species
living in the wilderness and includes all forms of fauna other than
domesticated species.
Status of Wildlife in Bangladesh
Form
various old records and books and publications, it is known that there are 22
species of amphibians, 109 species of reptiles, 628 species of birds and 115
species of mammals in Bangladesh. The birds include 240 migratory species. One species
of reptile, two of birds and ten of mammals are now extinct in country.
Threatened Wildlife
Threatened wildlife has been categorized as
vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered. In addition to these
categories, there are species for which enough data are not available to place
them in any of the above categories, and so these species have been put in the
‘data deficient' category This category is also considered threatened. The IUCN,
Bangladesh, has listed 323 threatened species of wildlife in our
country they include 8 amphibians, 58 reptiles, 41 birds and 40 mammals. Of
them 64 species are critically endangered, 86 endangered, 51 vulnerable and 201
are data deficient.
The
major high-profile species of wildlife include Tigers, Elephants, Leopards,
Bears, Deer; Gibbons, Capped Langurs, Phayre's Langurs, Ganges River Dolphins,
Pallas's Fishing Eagles, White-winged Wood Ducks, Gharials, Estuarine
Crocodiles, Pythons, Ganges Soft Turtles, Spotted Flashed Turtles, etc.
The
main causes of the decline of wildlife in Bangladesh are unauthorized hunting, habitat loss, degradation,
fragmentation and also unknown environmental factors.
Management of wildlife in Bangladesh
Wildlife
management is the science and art of changing the characteristics and
interactions of habitats, wild animal populations and men in order to achieve
specific human goals by means of resources. These may include recreation and
also aesthetic, economic, and ecological goals.
The
basic requirements of wildlife management are legislation, organization/institution
and a comprehensive database.
The
Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) Order 1973 "contains legal provisions
for wildlife management", The provisions of this legal document are
concentrated on management of wildlife species for possession and trade, sport
hunting and for their preservation in situ condition through establishment of
wildlife sanctuaries, national park and game reserves. There is also a provision
for constitution of a Wildlife Advisory Board. Three schedules have been
annexed in the Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) Order, 1973. Part I of the
first schedule contains a list of 35 species of wildlife for hunting, for which
ordinary game hunting permission is required.
Part
II of the first schedule deals with the individual wildlife and populations
harmful to human lives and also to the ecosystems. The Chief Wildlife Warden is
authorized to allow killing of man-eating tigers and rogue elephants through gazette
notification. He is also authorized to allow removal of surplus wildlife that
threatens the habitat and other wildlife. The second schedule has a provision
for lawful possession of wildlife.
The
third schedule has a long list of wildlife species that are termed as protected
animals and cannot be hunted or killed or trapped.
Article
23 of the Wildlife Order has the provision for establishment of wildlife
sanctuaries, national parks and game reserves.
The
Bangladesh Forest Department is responsible for the management of wildlife in
the country The Chief Conservator of Forest is also the Chief
Wildlife Warden. Forest officials and field staff of the Forest Department, up
to the rank of Forester, have been delegated the authority to deal with the
wildlife offences. The Forest Department is also in charge of the management of
wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and game reserves so far established in
the reserved forests of the country under the Bangladesh Wildlife
(Preservation) Order 1973. It should be mentioned here that Forest Department
has a network of field offices in all reserved forests of die country. The
Forest Department has also offices in almost every thana in the country
The
database of wildlife management includes information on population status and
trend, and also the breeding biology of wildlife. The species-level information
should also include interactions of wildlife, environment and men, i.e. ecology.
The database also includes information on habitats, food availability
fragmentation and composition of floral species, etc.
Challenges in the 21st Century
Wildlife
is an integral part of bio-diversity; Wild animals are also agents of plant
regeneration and dispersal. They are scavengers and play a significant role in
biological control of pests. The most significant value of wild animals is that
they directly provide support to people’s livelihood and recreation. Their
parts and derivatives are used in industries and also in the preparation of
medicines. So wildlife conservation means conservation of nature, which means
survival of the human species.
Considering
the current environmental situation the major challenges of wildlife management
are outlined below:
Habitual conservation and preservation
Habitat
conservation of wildlife is considered to be the most important challenge in
the 21st century. Habitats are currently becoming unsuitable for wildlife for
the following reasons:
1.
Removal and destruction of pristine vegetation
2.
Use of land for agriculture and industries.
3.
Fragmentation
4.
Mono-culture
5.
Lifting of underground water for irrigation.
6.
Siltation.
7.
Erosion.
Harvest and hunting of wildlife
Since
time immemorial, hunting of wildlife has formed the basis for man's survival.
Today though man no longer has to kill wildlife for food, he does it for
enjoyment. We are omnivorous animals who have hunted from time immemorial, and
the lust for hunting is an integral part of the human psyche, a part of the
genetic structure itself. That is why there are so many people who hunt as a
hobby in spite of being environmentally aware.
Unless
the government takes strong measures against hunters, unless it outlaws hunting
altogether the depletion of wildlife will continue until there is none left. It
must be admitted, though, that in our poverty-stricken country wildlife harvest
and trapping are mainly done for livelihood purposes. It will be very difficult
to completely stop than practices until the economic condition of the average
Bangladeshi is improved considerably so an effective method of sustainable
wildlife conservation and utilization should be developed.
Implementation of law
The
Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) Order; 1973 extends all over the country.
But the network of the Forest Department is confined to the forested areas. For
this reason, there is no proper implementation of the wildlife laws.
Education and Awareness
This
is very vital for the conservation of wildlife. People must have knowledge of
the importance of wildlife so that they care for wildlife and nature.
Database
Scientific
knowledge is a necessary precondition for wildlife management. But
unfortunately we lack the requisite and up-to-date knowledge for planning,
implementation of laws and also for training the wildlife managers and field
staff. Due to lack of knowledge of wildlife we cannot prepare authoritative
posters, leaflets and training materials.
Dr.Fourkan
Ali
Mob:
01711579267, Tel: 041 2832052
Email- dr.fourkanali@gmail.com
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