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Conservation conversation

Attending a ‘Chogue’ an annual Puja in one of the household in the gewog I work, I happened to share my seat with a native. Everyone seems to be engrossed in casual chit-chat since such gathering is meant for the same. With not much to talk, he was exploring all means to initiate a talk with me for which coincidentally I was doing the same. We didn’t want to recite ‘silent mantra’ in the bee-buzzing like surrounding.


Knowing that I am working with Department of Forest and park Services, he claimed to have lost his cattle to the leopard few months ago. ‘A livestock depredation issue?’ what could have been a better topic to chat than this, afterall livestock depredation is one issue of concern when humans and wild animals come in conflict. He expressed his suffering of great loss when he said, “it killed my favourite and most healthy cow due for lactation.” I shared the loss with him.

The conversation continued when I explained him that livestock depredation is a grave concern and it is very much within the knowledge of the government.  The loss is shared even by conservationist when they unleash their anger by means of retaliation. In an effort to reduce the conflict, the government has continuously explored mechanism to resolve it which one strategy is institution a monetary compensation scheme provided the depredation involves either a tiger or snow leopard which unluckily for him was the common leopard.

He said, “such big cats are known to deep forest or high mountain habitat and there is no reason why it has to come so near to human settlements.” I supplemented him that leopard is one shy and timid species among the big cat family and avoid all encounters with humans. Still why does it appear so bold and muster courage to encroach beyond the line?

For the sake of prolonging the conversation, he lent me his ear though he didn’t seem to get much out of this particular lecture of mine. “In the forest the leopards prey on deer, wild pigs, porcupines and any other species in the lower rung of the food chain.” I added, “when such food chain is disturbed, the repercussions are felt by the human.” He went blank and sipped his local brewed wine from the cup in front of him.

Least bothered I went on to explain him how much does he think when he kill the deer, wild boars and destroy their habitats. For you, it is all about protecting your crops and enjoying the carcass. But indirectly, it is like snatching food from someone’s plate to fill your own stomach letting the victim go hungry. He accepted that he either killed few instance or heard of neighbours kill the ungulates. Deforestation need not be substantiated since he said he understands of ever receding forest areas.

“So, given the choice, you see leopards would choose to maintain the distance from your cattle. Driven by the hunger when his food is made unavailable by people like us, he pounces on your cattle”. I concluded the conservation conversation.

Intoxicated both by the local brew and my lecture, he excused himself from me and left home. 

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