"Wildlife in itself is the biggest asset of earth .
The entire ecological balance exists due to the synchronization of the flow
of energy in the wildly perplexing web of nature".
Save
the World of the Wild!
Today, the world of wildlife conservation and indeed animal welfare is
being torn apart by the thoughts and actions of certain countries who
believe wildlife to be a commodity for human utilisation. This brand of
philosophy also suggests that without being of any utilitarian value to
humanity, a species does not have an intrinsic right to live in the world.
An extension of this very same philosophy has seen a partial resumption of
the ivory trade in Africa, the pressure on the need to hunt whales and
turtles, and the proposals to farm wild animals for medicine and food.
The Traditional Dimension
Asia is an old continent with age-old traditions, beliefs and philosophies.
Many people in Asia do not act only for economic or materialistic gain, but
also at times when they feel strongly about the intrinsic or spiritual side
of things. Conserving wildlife is no exception. Wildlife has traditionally
been a resource in Asia as it has been in other parts of the world, but
there has historically never been an emphasis on either its mindless use or
its utilisation for exclusive economic benefit.
On the converse, much of Chinese, Japanese or Indian philosophy and thought
have been based on natural aesthetics and many of its religions have sprung
from early nature worship.
Substantial Endeavours
In light of the current wildlife and animal welfare debate on the
utilisation of species and the fixing of economic price tags on animal life,
the Asian Conservation Alliance and the Wildlife Trust of India, supported
by the International Fund for Animal Welfare is bringing out this
illuminating collection of essays on conservation philosophy from all over
Asia.
Major religions like Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism have influenced
the movement in different Asian countries from Thailand and Sri Lanka to
Jordan and Israel, and how this contrasts with the animistic traditions of
countries like Mongolia.
