Sikari Utsav and Wildlife Protection Challenges in South-West Bengal
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Sikari Utsav, a regional festival in South-west Bengal. |
| Location | Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia, and Birbhum districts. |
| Time | Occurs during the dry season (March to May). |
| Participants | Thousands of villagers, including people from Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar. |
| Main Activity | Hunting small wildlife species like wild boars and wild hares. |
| Ecological Issues | Wildlife population decline, long-term ecological damage. |
| Environmental Impact | Coincides with forest fire season, increasing environmental damage. |
| Forest Accessibility | Open forests near human settlements are easily exploited. |
| Law Enforcement | Limited manpower of Forest Department hampers conservation efforts. |
| Suggested Solutions | Community-Based Forest Management, awareness campaigns, enhanced law enforcement, multi-stakeholder cooperation. |