UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29th May 2025
It is time to stop ritualistic hunting
Why in News?
Sikari Utsav, a ritualistic hunting festival in south-west Bengal, poses ecological threats despite ongoing community-based forest conservation efforts under Joint Forest Management.
Introduction
- Since the 1980s, the Joint Forest Management (JFM) model in West Bengal has emerged as a successful example of participatory forest governance.
- This collaborative approach between local communities and the State Forest Department has led to improvements in forest cover, biodiversity, and local livelihoods.
- However, despite these achievements, south-west Bengal faces critical environmental challenges, notably ritualistic hunting during the Sikari Utsav, which poses a threat to fragile ecosystems and undermines conservation efforts.
Joint Forest Management in West Bengal: A Model of Cooperation
JFM committees were introduced in West Bengal in the 1980s to:
- Involve local communities in protecting and regenerating forests
- Enhance livelihoods through sustainable forest-based activities
- Foster a sense of community stewardship for the environment
Achievements of JFM in West Bengal:
- Restoration of degraded forests
- Revival of native wildlife species
- Economic benefits to forest-dependent communities
- Creation of local employment through forest protection and eco-tourism
Despite these gains, localized environmental pressures threaten to undo the progress made.
Sikari Utsav: A Cultural Tradition with Ecological Costs
What is Sikari Utsav?
- A regional hunting festival held between March and May in Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia, and Birbhum.
- Participants include not just local villagers, but people from neighbouring states like Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar.
- Wild animals targeted include wild boars, hares, and other small species.
Ecological and Conservation Impact:
- Biodiversity loss: The indiscriminate hunting of wildlife disturbs the ecological balance.
- Stress on forest staff: The Forest Department is under-resourced and unable to curb large-scale illegal hunting.
- Increased risk of forest fires: The hunting period coincides with the dry season, aggravating the risk of fire-related damage.
- Erosion of conservation efforts: Decades of reforestation and biodiversity restoration are undermined.
Challenges Facing Forest Conservation in South-West Bengal
- Geographical Vulnerabilities
- The forests are vast, open, and accessible, making them difficult to monitor.
- Settlements around forest areas increase human-wildlife interaction and potential conflict.
- Manpower and Infrastructure Deficit
- The Forest Department lacks adequate staff and resources.
- Surveillance and enforcement mechanisms are insufficient during mass hunting events.
- Cultural Justification of Hunting
- Ritual hunting is seen as a symbol of tradition, dating back generations.
- Community pride and historical identity are often associated with hunting practices.
- This cultural dimension complicates legal enforcement and community outreach.
Balancing Cultural Traditions with Conservation Needs
- While cultural practices like Sikari Utsav are deeply ingrained, they must evolve in the face of current environmental realities.
- The decline in wildlife populations and increasing habitat degradation are clear indicators that such practices are no longer sustainable.
The Need for Dialogue and Education
- Community engagement must focus on awareness and behavior change.
- Traditional practices can be re-imagined in environmentally sustainable ways (e.g., symbolic hunts, archery festivals without actual wildlife harm).
- Educational campaigns must emphasize biodiversity’s role in human well-being.
The Way Forward:
- Strengthening the JFM Model
- Expand the reach of JFM to more forest areas.
- Provide training, incentives, and legal empowerment to JFM committees.
- Ensure greater involvement of women and youth in forest management.
- Enhancing Law Enforcement and Surveillance
- Deploy technology (drones, GIS, camera traps) for forest surveillance.
- Increase the manpower and resources of the Forest Department.
- Coordinate with inter-state authorities to control the influx of outside hunters.
- Cultural Reforms and Sustainable Alternatives
- Work with cultural leaders and elders to reinterpret traditions in eco-friendly ways.
- Promote eco-tourism and forest-based livelihoods as viable alternatives to hunting.
- Organize community festivals that celebrate nature and conservation rather than exploitation.
- Forest Fire Prevention
- Conduct fire awareness and preparedness campaigns during the dry season.
- Establish fire watchtowers, and incentivize local participation in fire management.
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