This refers to the editorial, “Man-animal conflict” (October 7). The man-animal conflict stems from the original sin the man committed when he ventured on the path of so-called ‘development’. While there is some semblance of balance in other creatures, the man has entitled himself to multiply without any restraint. Add to these the cruel realities, like the man’s greed, and with this deadly cocktail, he is ready to engulf our blue planet into irreversible ecological debacle.
An unpardonable bias in favour of the man speaks of such things as safety of children overlooking the very existence of other creatures. In present day Kerala, rural population strictly limits itself from encroaching forests. Australia and many other Western nations have begun recognising freedoms of animals and restoring forests to their original state, including their vegetation and wild life.
Contrast this to India, where cutting trees and demolishing forests mercilessly has become our national pursuit, as we chase our developmental goals. A leopard entering Manesar's Maruti Suzuki plant is just the beginning. Either we radically change our attitude towards the nature and alter our priorities or we must be prepared to face the doom.