The Frightening Human-Animal Conflict

Let’s Pause n Ponder by Amelia

Recently, I read about a leopard gate crashing a wedding in Lucknow, making the guests run helter skelter. Such incidents have been reported from many other cities also, including Gurgaon, Faridabad and Delhi, where the wild animals have ventured into homes and societies, posing grave danger to themselves as well as humans.

What is the danger for animals?

Animals are being compelled to move from their habitat to these urban areas as their original habitats are encroached. Let’s take leopards for example, they are ending up in weddings, on roads, near homes and so many places.

Humans, on the other hand, are scaring these poor creatures away from their homes. By cutting these forests and its trees, their habitats are being destroyed. We think that these dried trees are just junk, but sometimes these tree barks create a home for insects, small birds etc.

According to a report as quoted by The Hindu, India ranked the second highest for the rate of deforestation after losing 668,400 hectares of forest cover in the last 30 years. Unfortunately, India also topped the chart for biggest increase in deforestation between 1990 and 2020.

Alas, India is most populous now!

Deforestation is also happening because of the increased population in India. More population implies more houses, factories and it’s the poor trees which are cut down to pave way for urbanization.

Increased population means increased requirement of resources like furniture, paper and so many other things, sacrificing the beautiful, lush forests again leading to loss of habitat for the wild animals.

What is the Solution?

Let us give due thought and stop cutting down forests which is the natural habitat for animals.   

1 Reduce the use of paper and use it only when absolutely essential. Digital documents are a great way of saving on paper. Using recycled paper for various activities and crafts is a great way too.

2 Buy only stationary you really need and use it responsibly.

3. Use newspapers to wrap the gifts instead of buying wrapping paper

4. Instead of buying new furniture, try to repurpose the old ones.

5. Last but not the least, spread awareness and plant more trees or should I say build safer homes for our animals.