Tourists 'force-fed' beef at Nameri reserve in Assam

The Pioneer , Saturday, December 30, 2006
Correspondent : Syed Zarir Hussain
A group of tourists from New Delhi and Mumbai on a bird-watch visit to the Nameri National Park, located on the foothills of the eastern Himalayas along Assam, fancied tasting venison and instead ended up getting beef.

The tourists, all in mid-30s, befriended some locals residing along the periphery of the park and expressed their desire to taste venison. "The tourists insisted that we get some venison and were ready to pay any price. Deer meat is sold secretly here, although not on a daily basis," Jagat Panging, a Mishing tribal youth, said.

Panging told some of his friends about the tourists desire to taste venison. A plan was hatched and three of the six tourists were taken to the small roadside village of Bhalukpong, bordering Arunachal Pradesh.

"We took the tourists to a house, packed two kilograms of beef instead, and charged them Rs 500. We asked them to be careful and not to open the bag until they reach the resort where they were staying," Panging said with an impish smile.

"Maybe they had a sumptuous meal of beef thinking it to be venison."

But there are some 'lucky' ones as well - venison is sold at Rs 120 per kg and sells like hot cakes.

"Poachers kill barking deers or hog deers from Nameri and their meat is sold at places known to the local people near Bhalukpong, Chariduar and other places close to the park," another local youth who identified himself as Biplab said.

The demand for venison and birds has been on the increase. "We find lot of people looking for venison and birds to eat. People still prefer to taste meat of exotic animals or birds," Panging said. The 200 sq km park, also a Project Tiger Reserve, is home to about 30 mammal species, including tiger, leopard and black panther, 347 bird species like the endangered white winged wood duck, besides a large variety of reptiles.

Park authorities admit instances of poaching of animals like deer and hunting of birds from time to time. "There is no wanton poaching of animals or birds here. As we are understaffed, poachers do take advantage sometime and hunt down deer or kill birds," a park ranger said requesting anonymity.

With a vast stretch of the park remaining unguarded and most species of birds inhabiting pools and secluded marshes in dense jungles, local hunters could get their prey easily.

"Birds like Deo Hah (white-winged wood wuck) are also sold in some areas and it is very expensive. Sometimes a big bird can fetch the hunter up to Rs 1,000," Biman Pegu, a boatman residing close to Nameri, said.

But there are locals in the area who act as vigilantes to check poaching of animals and birds. "We keep a strict vigil to prevent poachers from hunting down animals or birds and also keep a watch on people who sell venison or birds," Ranjit Das, a primary schoolteacher, said.

 
SOURCE : The Pioneer, Saturday, December 30, 2006
 


Back to pevious page



The NetworkAbout Us  |  Our Partners  |  Concepts   
Resources :  Databases  |  Publications  |  Media Guide  |  Suggested Links
Happenings :  News  |  Events  |  Opinion Polls  |  Case Studies
Contact :  Guest Book  |  FAQs |  Email Us