Lynching of leopards hurts wildlife film makers

New Delhi, Jan 19: Eminent wildlife and environment film makers and activists Jeremy Bristow of Britain and Mike Pandey of India today described as ''most tragic'' the lynching of two leopards in Nasik city of Maharshtra and Pulwama district in Kashmir yesterday.

Mr Bristow, who is here to participate in the Wildscreen Film Festival inaugurated today, and Mr Pandey urged the government to take measures to protect the wild animals' habitat, the loss of which forces them to wander into areas populated by humans.

''It was really painful to hear about the two animals being killed like that. It's not their fault. When you destroy their sources of food and water and shelter, they can but wander anywhere,'' the British film maker told UNI.

Though the strain on India's resources was great due to its large population, Indian leaders have to come out with some solution to save the habitat for the wildlife, he said.

Mr Pandey, the winner of three Green Oscars, said it was sad that people and the country's leaders both were fast forgetting the age-old principle of 'living in harmony with nature' espoused in the modern times again by figures like Swami Vivekananad and Mahatama Gandhi.

''The two incident should be an eye opener to all those who indulge in reckless exploitation of forests. It was high time that the government acted,'' he said.

In Nasik, the leoprad had attacked a villager, and it was battered to death by rescuers of the victim.

On the same day, another leopard fell prey to the public wrath in Pulwama, 45 miles south of Srinagar after it had bitten and injured two boys.

UNI