Mumbai, Nov 16: Naturalists have urged the centre to legalise hunting of `cheetals' (spotted deer) in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for a certain time period to check the quadrapeds' population there in order to protect the vanishing rain forests and preserve the pristine beauty of the island.
Cheetal, an "invasive" species on the island (introduced sometime in 1930s from mainland) is responsible for the dwindling rainforests at the island, according to experts at a three-day seminar "a look at the threatened species" here recently.
The seminar was organised to mark the centenary of the journal of Bombay Natural History Society.
"Cheetal population has grown to such an extent that the ground flora of the rain forests have almost disappeared which has lead to huge soil erosion in the island and dwindling of
the rainforest cover," wildlife biologist Rauf Ali said.
"Although hunting of cheetal is not legal, it should be allowed, with some time frame, to check cheetal's population for regeneration of precious native rain forest," Ali said.
The population has grown so much, one can even see them eating garbage, he lamented and added, usually, navy is blamed for not feeding the cheetals as they cannot be hunted.
The census of the spotted cheetal is not possible as it is an expensive process. However, the naturalists, who are working on the island said, damage to the vegetation is a visible evidence of their (cheetals') menace and nuisance value.
Speaking on the issues related to "invasive" species in the Andaman Islands, Ali said besides cheetal, other invasive species like cats, dogs and goats have also become a menace on the island.
Sterilisation and translocation of these animals can also help in checking their population, the scientist said.
Cats, which were introduced into the island from mainland India around 100 years ago, destroy the nesting birds and their young ones, thereby threatening several bird species.
"Dog menace has added to the possible dwindling of the turtle population in the Bay of Bengal as they dig the beach sand and eat the turtle eggs," the experts said.
Ravi Shankaran of Coimbatore-based Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History said the edible-nest Swiftlet Collocalia Fuciphaga bird population in Andaman and Nicobar Islands has declined and the reason for it, apart from poaching and trading across the borders, can be attributed to the destruction by the alien species.
Edible-nest Swiftlet ranks amongst the world's most expensive animal products, which has resulted in high levels of exploitation of its nests in Andaman and Nicobar islands, Shankar said.
The wildlife biologists reached a general consensus that some steps should be taken to save the island from the alien invasion (alien life form introduced advertently or inadvertently into a new environment) as it is always fraught with danger and should be vigorously discouraged.
"Alien invasion is an environmental pollution which requires urgent and concentrated attention," they added.
Bureau Report
