During UP elections in March, former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had kicked up a political storm after he referred to Gujarat Tourism advertisements on the endangered Asiatic wild ass as 'Gujarat ke Gadhey' to bray down his opponents. Now, conservationists are wild over the?latest tourism ad on these endangered animals.
Gujarat Tourism/Representational Image
This new advertisement brazenly invites tourists to "Come race with...Wild Ass at Little Rann of Kutch," which immediately conjures up an image of a super-charged SUV chasing a fleeing herd in the Little Rann of Kutch (LRK) where such an act is actually a punishable offence.
The wild ass population in Gujarat is 4,451. Former member of Nation Board for Wild Life (NBWL) Divya Bhanu Singh Chavda says, "The word 'race' sends a wrong message.
The Asiatic wild ass is nearly threatened animal found only in Gujarat. Racing with such endangered creatures will be disastrous as there are chances of injury to the animal or even death."
wildlifecare/Representational Image
As per the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, disturbing the wildlife is punishable with a penalty of Rs 5,000 to 10,000 and imprisonment of two to six months. The wild ass or 'ghudkhar' has been classified as 'nearly threatened' animal in 2015 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Since September 2006, the Wild Ass Sanctuary in LRK is part of Unesco's tentative list of world natural heritage.
BCCL/Representational Image
Member of Wildlife Institute of India Yadvendradev Jhala says, "Chasing a wild animal could lead to exhausting the beasts and sometimes if the animal is chased for a longer distance it could lead to death due to shock." There have been instances where herds of wild asses have been chased by vehicles just to see if they can clock 80km hr, as is widely acclaimed.Such activities are strictly discouraged by the forest department.
N Srivastava, the commissioner for tourism and MD of Gujarat Tourism, says, "Come race with... was just a catch phrase. But we realise now that it can be taken in a wrong sense. We will definitely review this advertisement and make necessary changes."
N Srivastava, commissioner for tourism and MD of Gujarat Tourism, says, "Come race with... was just a catch phrase. But we realie now that it can be taken in a wrong sense. We will definitely review this advertisement and make necessary changes."