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.
Raman Sukumar
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- November 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780199467228
- eISBN:
- 9780199087570
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199467228.003.0002
- Subject:
- History, Indian History, Environmental History
This chapter provides a magisterial survey of human–elephant relations from prehistoric to modern times, considering encounters, intersections, and appropriations in a way that equally attends to ...
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This chapter provides a magisterial survey of human–elephant relations from prehistoric to modern times, considering encounters, intersections, and appropriations in a way that equally attends to both material existence and symbolic significance. It charts the sacred status and practical utilities of elephants for humans in a historical sequence that considers political relations, beliefs, and ideas, and material encounters. It explores the elephant as prey, as a weapon of war, symbol of imperial glory, colonial commodity, an endangered species, and as a captive individual, thereby introducing some of the topics and issues explored in further detail in subsequent chapters. Drawing on the author’s longstanding involvement with and expertise in understanding elephants, it also considers the challenges presented by the decline of elephant populations, the conditions of their captivity, the expertise for their management, and the possibilities for humans and elephants to learn to live well together.Less
This chapter provides a magisterial survey of human–elephant relations from prehistoric to modern times, considering encounters, intersections, and appropriations in a way that equally attends to both material existence and symbolic significance. It charts the sacred status and practical utilities of elephants for humans in a historical sequence that considers political relations, beliefs, and ideas, and material encounters. It explores the elephant as prey, as a weapon of war, symbol of imperial glory, colonial commodity, an endangered species, and as a captive individual, thereby introducing some of the topics and issues explored in further detail in subsequent chapters. Drawing on the author’s longstanding involvement with and expertise in understanding elephants, it also considers the challenges presented by the decline of elephant populations, the conditions of their captivity, the expertise for their management, and the possibilities for humans and elephants to learn to live well together.
