National Endangered Species Day 2023: Lack of accountability, conviction of poachers main issues in Odisha

 The third Friday of May is observed as the National Endangered Species Day. This year the National Endangered Species Day 2023 theme is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act.

Retired Police DG BK Sharma said that Odisha is rich in flora and fauna, and a variety of species abound in our protected and even in non-protected areas. However, many of those species suffer a great amount of conservation pressure, said Sharma.

Endangered species list include- Royal Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Gharial and Pangolins and elephants.

According to Sharma, poaching, trapping, ensnaring and revenge killing of elephants, leopards, snakes, tigers, birds and collection of antlers are rampant in Odisha. Elephants too regularly face intentional and accidental electrocution apart from train hits.

“Robust conservation measures with greater deterrence against organized poaching are the urgent measures that are needed to be taken,” said Sharma.

In Odisha, the population of endangered species is on a gradual decline, says wildlife expert Biswajit Mohanty.

According to Mohanty, everybody is aware of the fact that there is news regarding elephant deaths almost every week. There is also rampant smuggling of Pangolins in the state, he stated. All the endangered species in Odisha are highly threatened and are under threat due to poaching and loss of habitats, the wildlife expert said.

“Though Black Buck also comes under Schedule 1, the population is good in the state. It is due to protection measures of locals in Ganjam and adjacent areas with a population over 5000,” said Mohanty.

Why Such Scenario In Odisha?

According to Biswajit Mohanty, the forest officials in Odisha are not doing their jobs properly despite no dearth of funds, legal powers and manpower. The problem for protection of endangered animals is mainly due to lack of ‘zero accountability’.

Mohanty alleged that not a single poacher involved in poaching of tigers, elephant or leopard has been convicted in the last 30 years. Everything has been only limited to seizure and arrest, he claimed.

“Government need to fix accountability and dismiss officials for not doing their jobs and for not achieving conviction,” Mohanty added.

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Speculations rife over BJD’s double standard policy on BJP

 Has there been a change in the stance of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD)? Such speculations are rife following the attacks made by BJD on BJP's state unit while going soft while dealing with the Centre. During the inauguration of the Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express train service on Thursday, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik heaped praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi further fuelling such speculations.

Not only this, but Patnaik also invited Narendra Modi to inaugurate the Puri International Airport, which is expected to be ready in 3-4 years of time, hinting that the Odisha CM expects Modi to retain power in 2024 as well. There is also discussion in the power corridor from the state to the Centre over the visible changes in BJD’s ‘equidistance policy’.

Naveen Patnaik promptly cleared the air surrounding the meeting with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar recently. Patnaik categorically stated that no discussion regarding any alliance was held. A day after his meeting with Nitish Kumar, Patnaik flew to Delhi and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and cleared that BJD is not with the third front.

However, after winning the Jharsuguda bypoll, CM Naveen took a jibe at the double-engine remark of the BJP. The Odisha unit of the BJP, on the other hand, has been attacking the CM as well as the 5T secretary.

The BJD, too, has been countering such attacks. However, the question remains why such double standards? It is being said that BJD’s attempts to praise PM Modi is to weaken the attacks by the State BJP.

“There is no confusion in BJD. CM had met PM on airport matter and there is a difference in ideologies but all need to work together on development agenda,” said BJD leader, Debi Prasad Mishra.

BJP MP, Jual Oram said, “They (BJD) will change their strategy to save themselves and the party. But we will work on countering their strategy. One thing is sure that there will be no coalition with the BJD and we are ready to fight the elections alone.”

The Congress has alleged that the BJD-BJP fight is just an eyewash and an attempt to mislead people. “There is discussion among the public that CM met PM to give clarification that they are not with the third front. BJD is with the BJP at the Centre and fighting with the state unit here. Both were in coalition from 2000 to 2009 and it is only to mislead people,” said PCC President, Sarat Patnaik.

Many have questioned the stance of the BJD ahead of the 2024 polls. But is there any pressure on BJD or it is playing a safe game in the name of equidistance policy?

Political experts say that though BJD is saying about being equidistant from BJP and Congress, in reality, it is with the saffron party.

“BJD is with the Central BJP leadership and it is indulging in mudslinging with state BJP leaders in view of elections. State BJP is losing for this,” said senior journalist, K Ravi.

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