MARGAO: The recent spell of rains has seen a number of frogs come out in the open in large numbers, raising concerns amongst activists who feel efforts to protect frogs from being hunted need to be stepped up.
“We are monitoring activity outside notified forest areas, especially agricultural fields where frogs are abundant. Within forest areas, checks are regularly done,” said a senior official from the Forest Department when asked what measures are being taken for patrolling and maintaining a vigil to counter the menace of frog poaching.
It may be recalled that GOACAN had launched their annual Save Frog campaign before the onset of the monsoon season to create awareness amongst the public about saving frogs.
“Frogs feed on mosquitoes responsible for malaria and other vector-borne diseases. The indiscriminate killing of frogs for their meat is an ecological crime against the food chain and is the cause of the drastic decline of their population. Catching, killing and eating
of frogs is banned under the Wild life (Protection) Act
1972,” said Roland Martins, GOACAN coordinator.
“A demand from customers at restaurants and locals for illegal frog meat ensures a lucrative return to the poacher for a pair of frog legs. Some villagers act as the suppliers as they know the frogs’ whereabouts and how to catch them,” added an environmental activist who has gone on patrolling with the forest officials.
The activist added that consumption of ‘jumping chicken’ should be discouraged as it can trigger paralytic strokes, cancer, kidney failures and other deformities due to the massive toxic pesticide residues that accumulate in the fat deposits of frog meat, which is contraband.
The senior forest official added that education was the need of the hour and that they conduct periodic camps and workshops across each of its sanctuaries with target groups that included villagers.
