Mammals at peril

The endangered Royal Bengal Tiger

In spite of overwhelming odds Bangladesh do give shelter surprisingly to a wide variety of mammals. However, the geometrical progression and growth of human population specially in the past five decades or so has created precarious and hostile surroundings affecting and endangering the mammals irrevocably.

A study carried out by the world conservation union, a swiss based global organisation on wildlife conservation and protection, has revealed that a total of 110 types of mammals existed in the country out of which 10 species have become extinct, 21 have been listed as critically endangered 13 as endangered, six as vulnerable, there are not enough information on 53 and only 17 species are considered as safe.

The statistics is enough to testify to the horrific state of mammal kingdom of Bangladesh.

Unicorn rhinoceros, one horned and double horned rhino, banteng, wild buffalo, two types of barking deer, hyena, the blue ox are some of the most precious mammal species that have been completely wiped out from our ecosystem within a span of past 50 years.

Some or our most familiar and precious species like the tiger of Sundarbans, honey bear, bear cat, Eurasian otter, panther, clouded leopard, golden cat, wild dog, hoolock gibbon, pigtailed macque, slow loris etc have been listed as greatly endangered. The study shows some of them are on the edge of extinction. The list can go on and on.

Bengali race is very proud and fond of their great Royal Bengal Tiger. Sundarbans the great mangrove forest on the south and southwest fringe near the coast, is sheltering this unique and majestic species.

Researchers and conservationists differ on the actual number of the tiger prowling in the forest. A reasonable figure on their actual number may not go beyond 400 to 500 and it is dwindling rapidly. Human encroachment, habitat fragmentation, killing of the tigers by the inhabitants to save their livestock and mindless racketeering by the poachers have taken their toll. The other species of mammals are no exception. The organs and skin of a full grown tiger can fetch up to 1,50,000 dollars in the black market. The authority have totally failed to enact and implement the wildlife protection act of 1973.

Forestation of depleted areas, creating reservation and sanctuaries, cessation of human encroachment, ending of habitat fragmentation, stopping of hunting and poaching still may bring some sanctity to the ecology and to the animal kingdom.

Should the present trend continues then most of the mammals earmarked as critically endangered shall be wiped out from this land very rapidly and our posterity would blame as for our sheer indifference and callousness. Let's act now before it gets too late.

Syed Shamim Faruk is a conservationist.