The decimation of the tiger population in Sariska and other lesser-known parts of the country highlighted the failure of the Forest Department to protect the remarkable species. The Department chooses to turn a blind eye to reliable reports made by some local groups and NGOs that tigers were being slaughtered by poachers in what appeared to be a methodical fashion. Tragically the alarm bells did not ring. By the time the reports were flashed in the national media, the tigers were transformed into skins and bones and were on their way to their owners or in possession of poachers waiting for prospective buyers. Slowly, the government machinery woke up to the reality and initiated a damage control exercise, which significantly left the key question unanswered – What really went wrong in Sariska? Now, what has come to haunt the lovers of wildlife and environmentalists is whether the ugly event of Sariska could be repeated elsewhere. There is some kind of accord among the concerned quarters that it very well could be replicated by poachers in other parts of the country. Experts in States like Assam, which occupy a biodiversity rich region, have also voiced the prospect of losing more rare species to poachers.

While all of them agree that India has adequate wildlife protection laws, they point out to major flaws in implementing those. As a result we have noticed hardly any convictions when it comes to wildlife crimes. There have also been reports that poachers are becoming increasingly connected to certain nexus, which help them use the loopholes in existing laws. Ironically, it has also been found that forest personnel have failed to report wildlife crimes for fear of being labelled as inefficient, or worse, corrupt. This has led to documentation of healthy animal population even in areas where killings have been going on incessantly. In this context the need for better monitoring and prompt action by the Forest Department can hardly be exaggerated. In Assam, and the rest of the North East, such a mechanism is the need of the hour. It could be made effective in those forests, which are vulnerable to poachers. Areas like Dibru-Saikhowa, which were recently in the news because of the existence of some militant hideouts have been crying out for better protection. Learning from the experience in Manas National Park, the Forest Department should ensure that Dibru-Saikhowa does not fall prey to the militant-poacher nexus. In other areas like Pobitora, which have witnessed poaching activities, the authorities should consider putting in more frontline forest staff to help protect the vulnerable wildlife. All this would only be possible, if the ‘Precautionary Principle’ is put in practice without any ado. In accordance with the Principle, the Government and the enlightened people must do all that is required to protect the wildlife and the environment, before a rapid downslide leads the State to encounter another Sariska-like wasteland.