Arupjyoti Saikia
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780198069539
- eISBN:
- 9780199081240
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198069539.003.0007
- Subject:
- History, Indian History
This chapter discusses the redefinition of term ‘conservation’ which is extended not only to game reserves but also to the wildlife. In the nineteenth century, the conservation of forest landscapes ...
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This chapter discusses the redefinition of term ‘conservation’ which is extended not only to game reserves but also to the wildlife. In the nineteenth century, the conservation of forest landscapes was hampered by wild animals. While Assamese revered wild animals, the colonial government eradicated them to forward and expand its agrarian frontier. Although forest conservation was one of the policies of the government, the conservation of wildlife was often ignored. The wildlife conservation was a later phenomenon and came only after a proper understanding of the importance of wildlife in native society. Since 1905, colonial rules and non-colonial personnel took active interest in protecting the wildlife. And in 1990s onwards, active and staunched protection of wildlife was given prominence in the vernacular press of India. Among the issues discussed herein are zoology, wildlife crime, privileged hunting, elephant hunting, and the contemporary practices in the wildlife preservation.Less
This chapter discusses the redefinition of term ‘conservation’ which is extended not only to game reserves but also to the wildlife. In the nineteenth century, the conservation of forest landscapes was hampered by wild animals. While Assamese revered wild animals, the colonial government eradicated them to forward and expand its agrarian frontier. Although forest conservation was one of the policies of the government, the conservation of wildlife was often ignored. The wildlife conservation was a later phenomenon and came only after a proper understanding of the importance of wildlife in native society. Since 1905, colonial rules and non-colonial personnel took active interest in protecting the wildlife. And in 1990s onwards, active and staunched protection of wildlife was given prominence in the vernacular press of India. Among the issues discussed herein are zoology, wildlife crime, privileged hunting, elephant hunting, and the contemporary practices in the wildlife preservation.
