The last few months have brought many sightings of leopards in Goa, including that of a black panther, with forest guards and villagers claiming that there are more such coloured cats in the wilds of Goa. In March, the villagers of Virdi in Bicholim taluka had claimed spotting leopards. Two months prior to this, in Canacona there were reports of leopards attacking domestic animals. The most recent is not a sighting, but the discovery of the body of leopard along the railway tracks in the forest area of Padi-Quepem this last week that has gone by. It was an adult leopard, aged around five years, and prima facie evidence leads to the conclusion that the animal died after being hit by a train.
Incidentally, the body of the leopard was found on the eve of Endangered Species Day that was observed in the country but received hardly a mention in Goa. The leopard is today not an endangered species, its population is steady, but instances of man-animal conflict have been rising in the State leading to the fear that such incidents will grow in the future as the natural habitat of the wild animals is encroached upon, and the animals have no option but to stray into human settlement areas foraging for food. It is already happening, and the reported instances of leopards attacking domestic animals are testimony to this.
The leopard’s death comes at a time when groups of environmentalists have been opposing the double tracking of the South Western Railway line mainly because it will lead to thousands of trees along the route being cleared thereby reducing the forest cover as a section of the line passes through the Mollem forest. Though the leopard’s body was found along the Konkan Railway line and not the South Western Railway line, it critically establishes some of the arguments that the environmentalists have been making to protect the trees and the forests. The animals in the wilds need to be protected, that is the bottom line of the debate.
If anyone needs another specific reason to save the forests in the State, then it is to protect Goa’s State animal, the gaur or the Indian bison, which is on the vulnerable list of the international Union for Conservation of Nature. For the gaur, the Western Ghats and its foothills comprise the natural habitat. It is pertinent to note that the gaur’s size and power makes it rarely attacked by predators, though its calves, if unguarded, may be occasionally attacked. Reported killings of gaurs by predatory animals are few, and if this animal is on the vulnerable list it is because it is losing its natural habitat to humans.
The accidental death of the leopard is a gruesome reminder that unchecked interference with nature which disturbs the ecosystem will have repercussions. Today the number of leopards in Goa is increasing. From 71 counted in the 2014 census, it had risen to 84 four years later. It has to remain that way and not decrease, as past experience shows that once the animal count begins to drop, it takes massive efforts to bring it up again.
Among the many plans that the State makes for the future, a blueprint to reduce the man-animal conflict is essential. The threats to the forests and the wildlife come not merely from the linear projects but also from varied other sources. Development comes at a price and when it has to be paid by threats to the environment and wild life, then the costs can be counted as too high. This Sunday is World Biodiversity Day and the appropriate occasion to ponder on bringing about a balance between development and environment, two important subjects in Goa.
