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Scientists: free Czech nationals

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: The Czech embassy has claimed that nearly 800 scientists from various countries have so far petitioned the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India and the West Bengal Chief Minister, urging for the release on bail of the two Czech nationals now in jail for collecting insects from the Singalila National Park in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district allegedly without the necessary authorisation.

The scientists belong to countries that include the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, the United States and India.

One of those arrested, Peter Svacha, is an internationally renowned entomologist and an expert in the study of beetles. His works on the subject have been published since 1985 and he is associated with the Czech Entomology Institute within the Czech Academy of Sciences.

Butterflies, moths and beetles, some of rare species, collected from the national park were found in the possession of the two men.

“The embassy is also communicating with the Ministry of External Affairs and trying to get them out of jail and released on bail,” acting Consul Jan Kreuter, told The Hindu over phone from New Delhi on Friday.

Being charged for collecting insects “should not be the reason why they should be in jail for 20 days along with serious criminals,” he added.

The other person incarcerated – Emil Kucera – is an amateur entomologist who has had his works published also, Mr. Kreuter added.

But The State’s wildlife authorities, however, are not too sure. They are aware of Mr. Svacha’s reputation as an entomologist but a scan of the website of Mr. Kucera seems to have “aroused suspicions.” The latter had visited the national park on at least one occasion earlier. The two men who were first produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court in Darjeeling on June 23 on charges of violating the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and were denied bail are to appear for the next hearing slated for July 21, Sumita Ghatak, the divisional forest officer, Wildlife I, said from Darjeeling.

Collecting insects from national sanctuaries without proper authorisation is also an offence under Section-2 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 that seeks to control bio-piracy. The Czech Republic is a signatory country of the Convention on Biodiversity, Ms. Ghatak added.

Cases of smuggling out of insects are not infrequent in the border areas like Sikkim and Darjeeling district with easy access to a huge international market. Often the services of people residing in the vicinity of the national parks are used in transactions.

The Singalila National Park is part of East Himalayas that is rich in biodiversity, K. Venkataraman, Secretary, National Biodiversity Authority, said from Chennai.

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