MARGAO: During monsoons, it rains frogs and poachers in Goa, unlike the old adage. Though the numbers of poachers have come down in recent years due to the relentless campaign by forest officials, the fight is still on.
To put an end to unmindful poaching of these much-preyed species, forest officials have started their routine night vigil across the state to capture frog poachers. "Our staff goes into the fields late in the evenings and does patrolling around the agricultural belts and comes back early morning," said Anil AShetgaonkar, the deputy conservator of forests, wildlife and eco-tourism, south Goa. Forest officials also conduct campaigns in schools, where volunteers use visual aids to teach about the ill-effects of poaching frogs.
Frogs lie in hibernation beneath the soil almost throughout the year, until they receive the signal of the first heavy monsoon showers. Unfortunately, this is also a signal for frog catchers, who scour paddy fields and frog habitats, stun them with their torches, capture them and sell their legs as 'jumping chicken'. Catching, killing and selling frogs or serving frog meat in restaurants are against the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972 and attract stringent punishment, ranging from imprisonment for a maximum of three years to a fine of up to Rs 25,000 or both.
Goa is home to around 40 species of amphibians and the officials of the state forest department have continually urged people to stop killing these creatures who protect human beings from vector-borne diseases. In Goa, two large species - the Indian bullfrog or the RanaTigrina (Hoplobatrachustigerinus) and the Jerdon's bullfrog (hoplobatrachuscrassus) - are poached for their large fleshy legs. The Indian pond frog, grass frog and the common Indian toad are also occasionally poached in areas like the Verna plateau, Farmagudi, Raia, Chandor, Velim and Sanguem in south Goa. The most number of cases of frog poaching are seen in coastal talukas of Salcete, Tiswadi and Bardez.
Areas that fall in the one-kilometre range of wild life sanctuaries are also a favourite with frog poachers. "All the wild life sanctuaries are protected and the one kilometer area around it is patrolled by our officers," said Sanjay Waradkar, deputy conservator of forests, wildlife and eco-tourism. Sending messages on radio and putting up banners around school and corporate buildings are also a part of the campaign against frog poaching. "We also hold meetings in villages and use the village committees to get volunteers in patrolling," said Waradkar.
'Save the Frog' campaign which was initiated six years ago by the state forest department has helped curb poaching of frogs considerably in the state, added Shetgaonkar.
