PANAJI
As the South West monsoons have made their presence in Goa, the first showers will bring with them a much-needed respite from the summer, but it would also mean the commencement of another season of bullfrogs poaching in the State.
Expressing his concern over poaching, herpetologist Nirmal Kulkarni, expert member of Goa State Biodiversity Board, has stressed the need to conserve Indian bullfrogs and their habitats. “Conserving Indian bullfrogs is essential as they are not only important links in the ecological food chain but are nature’s own biological pest controllers and keep a check on larval transmitted diseases in the State,” asserts Kulkarni.
It is common knowledge in Goa that the poached Indian bullfrogs were supplied to the local restaurants across the state in the past decade. “However, due to current restrictions, this trade might convert into an individual consumption demand fuelled trade in the State. This translates to being an organized wildlife crime and is a cause of worry for me as a herpetologist,” shares Kulkarni.
In today’s pandemic scenario where illegal wet markets across the world have been closed down, Goa Forest Department, the Food and Drug Authority as well as the Health Department must play a vital role in imposing a complete ban on illegal sale, serving and poaching of bullfrogs in Goa, feels Kulkarni.
Research now shows that massive toxic recalcitrant residues from agrochemicals biomagnified in the food chain get accumulated in fat deposits of frogs. This can cause several life-threatening diseases.
“New strains of viruses transmitted from wildlife to humans is largely a grey area and has utmost significance in the current situation that the world faces today,” he warns.
The 24-hour Wildlife Rescue helpline of the Goa Forest Department has played a crucial role in the past few years to considerably curb this trade. However, the reach is limited to urban areas and mobile squads for rural areas are a need of the hour. Cross border supply of live bullfrogs has also been reported in Karwar in Karnataka and Dodamarg in Maharashtra and these need inter-state co-operation for swift action, pointed out Kulkarni.
“We need to understand that frogs are an important link in any pond, field, garden and forest ecosystems and report all instances of frog poaching and consumption to the nearest Forest department office or police station,'' concludes the Goan herpetologist.
