BANGALORE: Ullas Karanth, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society, India Programme, has said the rights of other species to exist are as important as human rights.

Releasing a wildlife magazine, Pug Mark, published by Peacock Publications, on Thursday, he said that while a few wildlife species, such as the mynah, could live in harmony with humans and exist in cities, a few others, such as the Nilgiri Thar and Hornbill, "needed their own space".

He said some actions of human beings caused harm to animals, but this was not obvious. For instance, debarking of the cinnamon tree, for use as a spice and for making incense sticks, would shortly lead to the destruction of the trees and wildlife that depended on the trees.

Disturbances to wildlife caused by human beings, such as fire, grazing and collection of forest produce, were likely to have different consequences for different species, he added.

Mr. Karanth said three per cent of land had been set aside for wildlife conservation, but it was inadequate. "It is time for us to decide whether we are a generous race capable of giving land for wildlife conservation or whether we feel we have been generous by having already spared three per cent."

Issues

Mr. Karanth said he hoped the magazine would devote attention to issues of wildlife conservation. "Often, TV channels and articles on wildlife cover issues as they would entertainment events. They do not do much analysis."

Pug Mark is the second wildlife magazine after Sanctuary to be released in the country. It is priced at Rs. 50 an issue.

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