the goan I network
PANAJI
Expressing outrage over preference given to animals than to humans, Nationalist Congress Party MLA Churchill Alemao on Wednesday said in the man-animal conflict, human being appears to be the biggest loser.
“If a man eats cow meat then the man is punished (apparently referring to cow lynching incidents in the country). Can a tiger eat a cow and go unpunished,” Alemao questioned even as some of his colleagues chuckled at his observation.
The House was discussing the issue of the death of four tigers last month in the State.
“Don’t laugh at me. This is a serious matter. How can we not give importance to humans,” the Benaulim MLA asked.
He said according to the Forest Act, the tiger was top on the list and for man, the cow was superior.
“How can a tiger get away by killing a cow,” he said.
He further said the villagers who lost their cows to tiger attacks may have lost their only livelihood.
“If a poor man loses his cow his family loses a source of income. What if he has done something to the tiger? Why should he be punished? We need to give value for human life,” he said.
The former minister also pointed out to former union minister Maneka Gandhi who showed concern to stray dogs.
Alemao said the issue of dead tigers should not be dragged for long and government should give priority to poor villagers.
