[dropcap]D[/dropcap]eputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, Muroho Chotso, has seen fit to officially prohibit all kinds of hunting within the geographical jurisdiction of Mokokchung District. The order covers shooting, trapping or poisoning with any kind of firearms, air gun, bow, sling shot or catapult, iron traps or any kind of traditional trapping and/or poisoning of animals.The matter was brought to the DPDB on July 9, 2013 as an agenda and discussion was made in detailed among the members on the issue; and whereas it is felt expedient to strictly restrain the hunting of wild animals and birds under the geographical area of Mokokchung district, the Board has unanimously adopted a resolution to impose a “Prohibition of Hunting” in any manner or method whatsoever in practice either traditionally or otherwise.
However, special permit for shooting shall be granted when (a) the animal is harmful or become dangerous to human life; and/or (b) the animal becomes destructive to crops etc. Such special permit in such exceptional circumstances shall be granted by an Officer not below the rank of Additional Deputy Commissioner on written application with proper justification and duly recommended by the Chairman of the concerned Village Council or Ward Chairman.
Any person or group of people who violates this order shall be liable to be imposed a fine of Rs. 5000/- (Rupees. Five thousand) only for killing of birds irrespective of size or species. So, better the bigger the size for the same amount? Seems like the sacrifice of the lesser evil for the greater good?
A fine of Rs. 10,000/- ( Rs. Ten thousand) only will be imposed irrespective of the species and size of the animals for the first offence and the amount of penalty for the second third and so on shall be double or triple of the first offence accordingly. This order will come into force from August 10, 2013 till further order.
If any person or group of persons who commit violation of this order shall be liable to punish with (a) a fine of Rs. 5000/- (Rupees five thousand) only for killing bird irrespective of size or species; and (b) a fine of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand) only irrespective of the species and size of the animal for the first offence and the amount of penalty for the second, third and so on shall be double or triple of the first offence. This order shall come into force with effect from 10/8/2013 till further order.
Any such order is fine provided it is in keeping with the norms associated with rules of the forest department which stipulates specified times of the year for hunting of birds and wild. This is aimed at culling the problem of over population and ensuring a continuous regular regeneration of the animals to suit into the feeding aspects from their environment while at the same time providing the people to enjoy the benefits of the gifts of the wild life.
All said and done, however, banning the hunting of birds and wild animals in toto needs to be reappraised so that the balance of nature is maintained.
Matters like sparing the falcons who are mere itinerants are of a special consideration and the people must also be inoculated with the idea that all creatures even of the wild are a necessary actor in the course of human evolution. As chief Seattle of the Duwamish Red Indian tribe once said: “What is man without the beast? If all the beasts are gone, man would die with a great loneliness of the spirit.”
