This is a special kind of friendship, one would hardly believe. On one end of this bonding is Indian Desert Monitor (locally known as Goh)- a creature misunderstood as deadly poisonous as King Kobra and on the other end is a scientist who has dedicated his efforts to save this endangered specie. Goh is the first love of Dr. Narendra Singh Rathore the Deputy Director of Desert Regional Station, Zoological Survey of India-ZSI .(In Hindi: Bhartiya Prani Sarvekshan ki Maru Pradeshik Shakha) Their love story begins in 1958 and
Drought condition prevailing in Rajasthan has resulted shifting of several wild species towards villages. In search of food and water many of these animals are falling prey to the hands of villagers. Now scientists have come forward to protect Monitor-the giant Indian lizard mostly killed because of misconceptions.
Also known as Goh, the Indian Desert Monitor can be traced frequently at the outskirts of Jodhpur City now. With flexible head, mouth wide open, snake like tongue and hissing sound there are so many stories among the villagers about their attacking pattern and poisonous bite. Such myths and related stories are playing major role in creating a fear for this cool and calm creature.
Scientists from Desert Regional Station of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) keeping in the view of these misconceptions have re-launched their special campaign, which was initiated in 1972. “We want to spread awareness among people by demonstrating the real nature of Goh,” says ZSI’s Deputy Director Dr. N. S. Rathore.
Whenever a Monitor is reported from any village these scientists will tell the villagers not to kill the animal. Dr. Rathore conducts practical demonstration with Goh to prove that it neither bite nor attack the human beings. It is very shy in nature and quite defensive while followed. Studies show that in case of a threat a monitor’s first concern is to escape. Dog bite is hundred times dangerous than the bite of a monitor, which is also a rare case.
Natural habitat of monitor has been destroyed by the ecological changes. Introduction of Indira Gandhi Canal has brought human activities to many of these habitats and villagers are killing the monitor fearing attack from them. Many tribal communities like Jogi, Bheel etc. killing them for meat or for skin used for making purse, belt and shoes. Drought condition will result shifting of these animals towards populated areas and encounter with the villagers, Dr. Rathore points out.
Dr. R.C. Sharma Senior Zoologist at ZSI had conducted a survey and an awareness programme in 1989 at Sawai Madhopur, Jhalawar, Kota, Bundi and Bhilwara districts. Dr. Sharma said that Marathas used the gripping power of monitor and using them, captured most insurmountable enemy forts. They used to tie rope around the loins of the monitor and sent up a wall too high to climb. “At the top of the wall, the monitor holds on its grip fast enough to support the weight of a man scaling the rope.
Scientists are planning frequent visits to the locations where there is a possibility of tracing a monitor. They are trying to contact school children to make them aware about the harmlessness of monitor. Recently Dr. Rathore demonstrated a monitor at the Botanical Survey of India campus near Subhash Nagar about seven kilometers from here. The message is just “Let him Survive” and scientists are confident about the success.
Drought condition prevailing in Rajasthan has resulted shifting of several wild species towards villages. In search of food and water many of these animals are falling prey to the hands of villagers. Now scientists have come forward to protect Monitor-the giant Indian lizard mostly killed because of misconceptions.
Also known as Goh, the Indian Desert Monitor can be traced frequently at the outskirts of Jodhpur City now. With flexible head, mouth wide open, snake like tongue and hissing sound there are so many stories among the villagers about their attacking pattern and poisonous bite. Such myths and related stories are playing major role in creating a fear for this cool and calm creature.
Scientists from Desert Regional Station of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) keeping in the view of these misconceptions have re-launched their special campaign, which was initiated in 1972. “We want to spread awareness among people by demonstrating the real nature of Goh,” says ZSI’s Deputy Director Dr. N. S. Rathore.
Whenever a Monitor is reported from any village these scientists will tell the villagers not to kill the animal. Dr. Rathore conducts practical demonstration with Goh to prove that it neither bite nor attack the human beings. It is very shy in nature and quite defensive while followed. Studies show that in case of a threat a monitor’s first concern is to escape. Dog bite is hundred times dangerous than the bite of a monitor, which is also a rare case.
Natural habitat of monitor has been destroyed by the ecological changes. Introduction of Indira Gandhi Canal has brought human activities to many of these habitats and villagers are killing the monitor fearing attack from them. Many tribal communities like Jogi, Bheel etc. killing them for meat or for skin used for making purse, belt and shoes. Drought condition will result shifting of these animals towards populated areas and encounter with the villagers, Dr. Rathore points out.
Dr. R.C. Sharma Senior Zoologist at ZSI had conducted a survey and an awareness programme in 1989 at Sawai Madhopur, Jhalawar, Kota, Bundi and Bhilwara districts. Dr. Sharma said that Marathas used the gripping power of monitor and using them, captured most insurmountable enemy forts. They used to tie rope around the loins of the monitor and sent up a wall too high to climb. “At the top of the wall, the monitor holds on its grip fast enough to support the weight of a man scaling the rope.
Scientists are planning frequent visits to the locations where there is a possibility of tracing a monitor. They are trying to contact school children to make them aware about the harmlessness of monitor. Recently Dr. Rathore demonstrated a monitor at the Botanical Survey of India campus near Subhash Nagar about seven kilometers from here. The message is just “Let him Survive” and scientists are confident about the success.
