Panaji: The buzz against the use of monitor lizard skin to make ghumot, a percussion instrument, appears to be growing, as some activists are working behind the scenes to campaign for the use of goat skin as an alternative.
Activists in Bicholim, Satari and other areas recently held demonstrations playing the ghumot made of goat skin, to show that it is as good as the one made of monitor lizard skin. "The volunteers also inform the people where ghumots made of goat skin can be purchased," an activist said.
The forest department has also joined the bandwagon as it began an initiative to encourage people to use goat skin instead of monitor lizard skin in an effort to protect the dwindling numbers of the threatened reptile.
The forest department, which is supporting the campaign, held a meeting with NGOs to discuss the issue. Deputy conservator of forest (north Goa) G T Kumar and assistant conservator of forests, Pradip Verekar who were present assured regular patrolling in sensitive areas to prevent poaching of monitor lizards.
Poaching incidents are rampant in the state and more often than not, the young ones of the lizard are killed and their skin dried to manufacturing the instrument, that is popularly used during Ganesh Chaturthi and also by troupes performing mandos.
Monitor lizards are also poached for their blood, as it is believed that it can cure asthma and other respiratory problems.
Representatives from Vivekanand Environment Awareness Brigade and some other nature clubs of institutions from Ponda also attended the meeting. "Some people blame us (NGOs) for being against Goan culture, as we are suggesting alternatives," an activist said.
The activist alleged that the government is encouraging the killing of the reptile by not taking any measures in curbing the menace and added, "We are only saying use ghumots made of goat skins."
Forest department officials confirmed that the department has requested an individual from Ponda to create ghumots made out of goat skin that will produce the same effect as the ghumots made of monitor lizard skin. These goat skinned-ghumots, priced at Rs 850, can be purchased by placing an order 10 days in advance.
"With traditions we also need to preserve our wild life," argued deputy chief conservator of forest, wild life and eco tourism Anil Kumar.
