Since the 1980s, West Bengal’s Joint Forest Management committees, which are local community organisations that work with the State Forest Department to protect and manage forests, have fostered community cooperation, improved forest cover and biodiversity, and local livelihoods. However, south-west Bengal continues to face significant challenges related to wildlife protection. One of these challenges is ritualistic hunting.
Sikari Utsav is a regional festival that celebrates the hunting tradition. It is held during the dry season (March- May) in the districts of Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia, and Birbhum. During this time, thousands of villagers, along with people from neighbouring districts and States such as Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar, enter the forests to hunt small wildlife species, such as wild boars and wild hares. This practice affects wildlife and adds pressure on already under-resourced forest authorities. As the festival also coincides with the peak period of forest fires, it causes further damage to the environment.
The forests of south-west Bengal are vast, open, and easily accessible. Human settlements can be found around forest areas. While many villagers use the forests in an ecologically sustainable manner, some others exploit the resources for personal gain, without regard for the long-term consequences. The Forest Department, with limited manpower, finds it increasingly difficult to guard such a vast and interconnected ecosystem. Forest staff in the field are overwhelmed by the sheer number of hunters during the Sikari Utsav. As a result, the efforts to stop this destructive activity are often thwarted, and the forest staff are unable to fully enforce conservation regulations.
The practice of hunting during the Sikari Utsav is often justified by its cultural significance. Many of those involved in these hunts view the event as a traditional celebration harking back to the time when archery and shooting were celebrated. They see it as a practice that has been passed down generations. However, the biodiversity and environmental consequences of these actions are undeniable today.
While it is crucial to respect tradition, there is equally an urgent need for awareness and change. Wildlife faces unprecedented threats from overexploitation and human encroachment. The actions taken today will directly affect future generations, potentially leaving them with a world devoid of the biodiversity we now take for granted.
There is no time to waste when it comes to protecting our ecosystems. The current trajectory of environmental degradation, fuelled by human activities, could lead to the extinction of many species, making them only visible in photographs or books, but not in the wild. This stark reality should be a wake-up call for all. It is not too late to take action, but the time for doing so is rapidly running out.
The effort to restore the forest vegetation and wildlife diversity in this terrain through participatory forest management has been substantial. It has taken nearly four decades to witness the return of high-quality vegetation alongside its native wildlife species.
The need for cooperation between local communities, government authorities, environmental organisations, and other stakeholders is greater than ever. The Joint Forest Management model has shown that people can play a positive role in forest conservation. But this model needs to be expanded and strengthened. We must invest more time and energy in building awareness campaigns, ensuring law enforcement and forest protection, and strengthening infrastructure to prevent destructive practices from continuing.
There must also be a concerted effort to engage with local communities and educate them about the long-term benefits of sustainable living and the importance of preserving biodiversity. The narrative needs to shift from one of exploitation to one of coexistence. This can only happen through dialogue, education, and the active involvement of all stakeholders.
The world we leave for future generations depends on our actions today. Protecting forests and wildlife is essential not for nostalgia’s sake, but for the well-being of future generations. It is the only way of ensuring a harmonious coexistence between humans and the environment.
Singaram Kulandaivel is Chief Conservator of Forests, Central Circle, West Bengal
Published – May 28, 2025 01:23 am IST