TWENTY FOUR SEVEN - TYPICAL DAY OF A BHUTANESE FIELD FORESTER

This story was written in 2006 for enjoying many years later

Start your journey in haste you end up the day in haste, the week in hurry, the month quite fast and the year very very fast. I started my day about 5.45 a.m. from my home in Trsahiyangtse. Home you know is that place where in when you go there is no rejection whatever your state and position. I like my home for several reasons that need not be accounted in this document or piece of writing. The morning of 27th March 2006 saw me being taken from one district to the other covering roughly about 140 odd kilometers. I began the day in haste and the day did end itself in hurry.  Thanks to my car that can take me from one place to another as and I want it to.

Thanks to my car for carrying me anywhere I want and circumstances want me to move.

Having kept an appointment with one Mr. Khampa from Soekhar village under Balam, a Gewog adjoining my range to talk to him over some timber issue at Sheripam Check Post I had to make an hasty drive at 60km per hour which for some is not quite a speed save for me who can control speed only up to that limit. Crossing Kulong Chu at Dhogsoom and moving abreast Drangme Chu a meandering river with a meandering road along till the end of Sheri Chu and having to drag over the twist and turn of Yadi turnings had never ever been quite an easy drive for me ever since my appointment to establish Serzhong Park Range in April 2004. I always had been a tryst for this round of drive. The gorgy slopes of Buyang, the sharp climb near Choongdu adding fuel to my tiresome journey; the journey had always been an odyssey. These to and fro travel between these two beautiful places for me had been more often official than private though people always thought otherwise.

To my surprise I reached Yadi about quarter to eight and I wondered if my speed had been too much. When I but calculated the time and my speed it was just about 120 minutes; nothing to be surprised. Putting on my uniform from my Yadi house I made a move down to Sheripam check post at haste because I was the one to instruct the complainant to appear to my check post at 9.00 a.m. without fail. Once I reached the Check Post I was told that the alleged culprit has already reached the area and that he has waited for my arrival. I was down there by 9.45 a.m. Interrogation revealed that the man was guilty of what ever he has done for which the problem had to be postponed till the appearance of the responsible Forester In charge of Soekhar village not within the Sanctuary control.

While on the prowl over the issue a man came to ask me for stone slab permit mentioning the name of Mongar Dzongrab. I did not like his approach because who ever it may be it is through rule that the permits are issued and using someone's names these days have no impact on people especially like me. I told him to apply for the resource so that I can recommend and forward the issue to my higher authorities for approval but he pleaded for an early permit. He argued that the stone slabs were necessary for repairing the Mongar Dzong and that it was on emergency basis that he wanted the resource. I but was skeptic about his pleadings as it could be a big lie (using someone else's name).

My contractor friend used this DCM to carry the stone slabs at his discretion

A good friend of mine, he followed me up to Serzhong to keep pleasing me for the day for his commercial advantage. He finally made a move downward to Yadi after confirming that I will be spending the night at Serzhong. People always have forgotten that I never tell them (that group of people whom I know them as either a contractor working in my Range, or any suspicious looking people) the facts of my whereabouts. However, it isn't surprising that the fishermen and the people who do illegal activities of this locality had been always noting the movement of the blue car to see if it is approaching near by to catch hold of them in the illegal act.

During the last Internal Staff Coordination Meeting exactly a year ago I caught two fools heading for fishing right on that very bridge. They were perplexed at my presence at 11.45 p.m. on the bridge. The first fool who was dumb went to shit after seeing me catching his company who could not hear. I knew that the fool was forced to shit by his fearing hormones, other wise it wasn't definitely a correct time for shitting. If the story is presented in true sense, which I actually want to; how I caught them has an interesting beginning. On the evening of 27th March, 2005, all Rangers of Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary along with their then Park Manager who had come for the 3rd Internal Staff Coordination Meeting were in their cozy beds when Sherimung Ranger, the host Ranger could not sleep. All of them having come from either Trashiyangtse or Lhuentse were tired and were in deep slumber when the host Ranger sneaked out of the camp to move up to the village opposite the Check Post site for a purpose other than protection and conservation. The trip was for entertainment - with all honesty, the so called Night Hunting, an odd term but commonly used to find a company at night explicitly for bluish activities.

A seasoned ex-army and a forester, Nima told me that the fishermen would leave the truck only about 12.00 midnight and continue fishing till 3.00 a.m. We kept our eyes wide open from the transparent hut of Norpon Paithi who sacrificed his quilt for our sake to join his wife who was sleeping alone on our arrival. A sense of guilt ran through my senses to say we are a nuisance to this old couple who might like to enjoy but for our presence.

I returned from Serzhong round about 7.00 p.m. because of yet another contractor following me to hand over his half done water supply work for my Sheripam Check Post. A wonderful contractor he expected me to let him go back to Trashiyangtse seemingly expressing his problems at home. Who does not have problem at home? I told him to stay the night at the Check Post so that rectification works can be done before he is out of the area. He did agree to what I said but I had to stay back as well because if I came to Yadi I had to go back to Sheripam the very next morning. The decision fixed I kept on at the Check Post for the night but the night turned sleepless. The terrible night! Should I not call it a terrible night?

Being ill prepared to stay back at Sheripam I did not carry my sleeping bag the thing very very important for a person of my caliber who has to sleep in places not known every new night. My sleeping bag I left behind because I had to leave it as I myself put up at Serzhong more than often. The day had been tiresome; having to meet with the Gup to bring forth the offenders, having to fix the dates for making depredation compensation to the affected people and having to meet the contractor and having to patrol the fishing spots of the Sheri Chu.  Mr. Nima Trashi, my Park Guard, an ardent night patrol-er and the then Check Post in Charge quipped "Sir, our dinner today!" I asked him in return to know if he eats in the office - cum - resident Check Post building. He visited the kitchen then to find out if he has something left in the kitchen he supposedly had been used by our nagging contractor. He came out to say that there was some rice left over. He told me that he would heat it and feed me for the night. I nodded but remained worried, as he also had to eat something. My instinct told me to visit the neighboring houses of PWD labors and the two households below the road. So, I went to wish them at their home in the darkness. I wanted some information about the happenings of Sheripam in my staff's absence. A lucky man the landowner served me dinner of fried eggs and chilies. I liked the dinner and had to the brim. I kept on talking at their house for quite sometime about things that are not so note worthy. I kept on probing them about fishing and hunting in the locality at regular intervals. The response looked quite fine. I could gather a bunch of information about the activities down there.

At about 10 p.m. Nima Tashi (my old but smart Park Guard who later joined me to have dinner at the same house) and I left the house for the Bailey bridge over the Mooroong Chu, which also serve as the boundary between Ngatshang and Sherimung Gewogs.  This place around the bridge has served as parking for the drivers who wish to have fish. They park their vehicles and move down towards the river and start fishing. All these happen at night every time they know we are out of the Check Post according to reliable sources. As we moved on towards the bridge we saw a truck parked beside the bridge just below the road. We noted the registration number of the truck. At least four people were found sleeping on the truck. I told Nima that I have never failed to apprehend people of this area because every time I went for patrolling I had some kind of progress. I either caught the culprits or found their materials on the riverside.

The Bailey bridge that is the beginning of the Park Range serves so many purposes

As I came out from the PWD's office - cum - residential building (in which all of us were putting) I could not decide which way to head. I did not want any friends because I did not want any trouble with my wife at home. If I take a friend that would be end of it if my very friend spreads the news of our crawling at night; so making every sense of it I went to the Check Post contractor's supervisor to take a helping hand to my not so ideal but interesting trip. We went on crossing the bridge, reached the destiny but found that the aim of my night (the lady that I wanted to stay with for the night) sleeping with her father. Crestfallen we returned the same way we took. On reaching the very bridge I saw two torch lights moving towards us along the Mooroong Chu. I knelt down and instructed the guy with me to sleep flat on the ground so that they would come by us. As expected the guys came by us and then I took them by surprise holding one of them on the shoulder. I found a piece of fishing net in their bag and I took them to disturb my friends' sleep and showed them how " looking for Sex can help Conservation". My Park Manager could not help laughing when I linked sex and conservation as an example in the field. I believe so many offenders get caught when conservation people become nocturnal for purpose not necessarily for conservation. Mine is just a simple example of how I have saved the lives of so many fishes who could have gone down to the frying pans of those fools had the Ranger not been a nocturnal. Therefore, being nocturnal for the field staff is an added advantage to conservation.

Back to what happened on the hasty day is perhaps more note worthy than just being dragged to last year's 27th March. Nima and I decided to put up in the hut of Norpon Paithi adjacent the Mooroong Bailey Bridge to see if any body moves out of the truck for doing any thing in the darkness.

 

Norpon Paithi’s hut our night’s cover with Norpon with teacup on the door

As expected at about 12.45 p.m. a pair of torch showed over the parked truck and two to three people moved down the river side. I told Nima if we have to follow. "Sir let's wait and watch what is the next thing they are up to" said Nima. Inquisitive me told him what we have to do to which he said that we should wait near the truck till they return. It was apparent from his expressions that he feared chasing them because he had bitter experiences of the past and I have one such experience as well but only one at Trsahiyangtse in 1999 where I had to drop down the lit torch on the ground to be stoned by the fishermen. The people battered my torch to dysfunction and I fear the night even today; had I continued to hold the torch I could have been beaten like my torch was beaten. As we were discussing I napped a while because of my closing eyes telling him to be vigilant about the torches. I promised him his turn of nap once I was fine. As I closed my eyes a DCM truck crossed the bridge at a dashing speed disturbing every piece of my nap. The proximity of the Norpon Paithi's hut to road added to such an advantage that no one could escape, even people's moment can be monitored through this helter-skelter hut. My old but energetic partner ran after the DCM to lock the gate at the Check Post, which was about 300m away so that the DCM could be caught while returning.

After a while he came back to put up with me. Round about 1.30. a.m. a man walked by our point, we then decided to follow the nocturnal and stalked behind the man like the tiger after a sambar prey. The man to our disgrace stopped near the truck, climbed up and went to sleep with the other people. We saw everything he was doing and heard everything he was speaking and we did not hear anything fishy, sand-ly, boulderly or timber-ly. This person made us think if he had any other purpose other than doing illegal activity. After a few minutes I instructed Nima to climb the truck top to look for any circumstantial evidences for doing any illegal activity. I myself woke up the person sleeping in the cabin and sought redress about their presence at night near the river instead of truck parking in the town. He gave me some vague answers but I could not take action for lack of evidences. The truck left the area after about half an hour when the night was still young for reasons unknown to us. My Nima had a doubt if the truck would come to Yadi. He was sure that the truck had illegal motive and that the truck would stop some meters away from our eyes. But we could not follow the truck as we had nothing to proof the truck guilty.

A few minutes later we decided to move down the riverbank to look for the people. We failed to locate the people but while coming up crossing the chorten near the suspension bridge we saw the white DCM light springing from the other direction making us at heels to stop the thing. I ran faster than him because I had the contractor's torch while he was torch less. On reaching the road he ran faster than me and we found our great contractor who followed me the whole other day had better idea of taking the resource at short cut. Without permit, without any document; I wonder if all the contractors alike. 

Nima Trashi pretending to be asleep at my direction inside Norpon Paithi’s Palace

The DCM who thought the Range staff could be fooled

When the contractor was caught it was 2. 25 a.m. he admitted his guilt and agreed to pay the fine imposed. But Nima and I wondered over the order of the day. The contractor told me if I would get gold medal for doing duty without sleeping to which I had to reply saying my medals as my monthly salary and my travel and daily service allowance bills.

Today, the then set (2006) of Serzhong Range Staff are various places in Bhutan. 

Nima Tashi is still with Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary and is still looking around the same area but with a little difference. He married a young lady from Serzhong and is committed to stay with her for life in Serzhong.

Samten Choden moved to Mongar Division after Sheripam Check Post and she is now with Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, all refreshed, new place, new husband and with new looks.

When I last contacted him, Tshewang Dorji was with Jigme Dorji National Park, Gasa and has since been promoted a Ranger.

I have been told that Karma Wangdi has become a Lepidopterist at Ugyen Wangchuk Institute. I am sure he is doing his best as whatever he is.

Bal Krishna is with Jigme Dorji National Park, Gasa and has chosen to take up herpetological studies in the Park which I thought I have inspired him (although it is up to him whether to believe or not). I am just kidding boy. 

I wish my then team a best of luck as I remember our night crawling for whatever reasons. 

Disclaimer

This is my personal thought and anything written here is not intended to harm or promote people or things mentioned here. No one is authorized to use the content of this blog for either personal or public purpose. People mentioned here in are fictitious characters and any resemblance to anyone with some characters or more are purely coincidence.

RABIES – DANGEROUS BUT PREVENTABLE

Rabies is a virus-based zoonosis that is supposed to be available in more than 150 countries across all the continents except Antarctica. Many countries where the disease occurs are always supposed to be ready to face the outbreak of rabies as it is one of the most well-researched diseases. The disease is also said to be cent percent preventable. However, rabies causes many deaths every year despite the preparedness of many countries to face the rabid disaster. According to World Health Organization (WHO), rabies affects children the most as four out of every ten deaths are children under the age of 15. Since the nature of the disease is widespread it is understood to threaten more than 3 billion humans in Asia and Africa, especially those living in rural villages with less or no access to vaccines or other forms of treatments. According to the data of the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (2011), rabies is understood to cause an estimated 55,000 human deaths every year in Africa and Asia alone. Hence, this disease must be well taken care of.

In Bhutan, most cases of rabies are recorded from the southern frontiers along the Indo-Bhutan border (Figure 1) and the vector for transmission of the disease to human and domestic livestock is invariably domestic dogs. Dogs live freely in the villages and towns in Bhutan and the risk of transmission to humans and domestic livestock is very high if a dog is infected with the virus.

WHAT CAUSES RABIES AND HOW DO YOU CONTRACT THIS INFECTION?
Rabies infects the central nervous system and renders an infected individual mentally unstable. It is transmitted through the bite of infected animals and affects warm-blooded animals. The non-bite route of transmission of the disease is through bat caves. The bat caves are supposed to have rabies and transmit them to anyone venturing into the caves. Therefore, it is advisable not to visit bat caves unprotected. The vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) is an asymptomatic carrier and can spread to any animals that come into contact. The other known reservoirs of the rabies virus are jackals, wolves, and mongooses. Skunks, raccoons, bats, and foxes are some species most frequently infected by the disease. The opossum is the only species considered to be fairly resistant to rabies.

Figure 1. Indo-Bhutan border map. The orange color is Bhutan while the green is India (Photo: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/India_Bhutan_Locator)

ENZOOTIC WORLDWIDE
Rabies is enzootic worldwide. However, due to some control measures, countries like Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Brunei, Cyprus, Fiji, Hawaii, Hong Kong, New Guinea, New Zealand, Papua, Singapore, and Turks are considered free of disease at the moment, while Iceland, Japan, and the UK have eradicated the disease from their countries. The map below (Figure 2) exemplifies that this disease is widespread, far-reaching, and in-discriminatory.

This paper intends to talk about the clinical signs of rabies, how it comes into contact and spread between animal and human populations, and summarizes the options to control this zoonotic infection. The vital message this article intends to send is to let the people know about this dangerous disease so that those susceptible populations will visit the treatment centers if rabies is suspected.

Figure 2. Rabies distribution worldwide (Map Courtesy WHO, 2008)

ETIOLOGY
In Latin rabies means madness and the disease has been known by various names like hydrophobia (fear of water) and lyssa (as it is caused by lyssaviruses). It belongs to the Rhabdovirus family and can be destroyed by sunlight and UV radiation. It can also be inactivated by strong acids and bases (BPL 1:5000 to 1:10,000) including formalin. It is known to remain alive in 50% GS/pure glycerol for weeks at RT or several months at 40C (fixed and street virus and urban and sylvatic virus).

PATHOGENESIS
The virus takes a centripetal movement from the site of the bite to Central Nervous System via peripheral nerves and then centrifugal to the salivary gland and other tissues of the body. From the bite site to the brain through the peripheral nerves and spinal cord and as the virus reach the brain there is encephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord). Viruses then reach the salivary glands and saliva. Infected Raccoons die within 7 days after the exhibition of clinical symptoms and the virus incubates for 3-12 days without any signs. Shedding of the virus occurs even before clinical signs are observed which promotes transmission (CDC, 2011).

CLINICAL SIGNS
The incubation period varies from 2-12 weeks and in rare cases shows some signs in less than 10 days or more than six months in carnivores and bats. The victim shows marked changes in behavior and exhibits furious nature during the excitation phase. In foxes and skunks, it would last from 1-6 days and produce saliva that has a high titer of the virus. The animal gets restless and shows biting tendencies. Alternation in barking sounds (paralysis of laryngeal muscle) becomes distinctly visible. The animal gets less aggressive but shows the problem in coordination with frequent muscle tremors. Finally, the animal gets paralyzed, it prostrates and dies.
The infected animal also would exhibit Hydro-phobia which is not a normal feature in animals. The clinical course of the disease lasts 2-4 days in foxes, 3-5 days in raccoons, and 4-9 days in skunks. They get dumb, get paralyzed, and die ultimately. Similar symptom of rabies infection is seen in distemper, hepatitis, listeriosis, tetanus, botulism ad parasitic infestation; plant/chemical toxin. However, the surest way to diagnose the disease is in the laboratory alone.

DIAGNOSIS
Rabies can be diagnosed by the animal’s demonstration of Negri bodies (Hippocampus, cerebellum, or cerebral cortex), conducting FAT, other biological tests, virus isolation, and identification

IMMUNITY
One can remain immune to the diseases by monitoring the anti-rabies vaccine before exposure and or after exposure. No live vaccine should be used in a wild animal. Experimenting with tissue culture and using BPL-inactivated vaccines are helpful.

CONTROL
Control of the disease once spread can be done by the following methods.
ü Vaccination
ü Control and eventual elimination of the disease from wildlife reservoirs and vector population
ü Practical success depends on carefully planned and executed programs, utilizing effective vaccine and control procedures for domestic animal species
ü Mass immunization of dogs and cats
ü Elimination of stray dogs
ü Rabies education programs
ü Use of oral ERA vaccines (Switzerland)
ü Strategies to control densities of wildlife population
In Bhutan, the management of the dog population through the implementation of a rabies control plan call a Capture-Neuter-Vaccinate Release (CNVR) program is being conducted in collaboration with Humane Society International.

HOW TO PREVENT A RABIES INFECTION
There are two basic methods to prevent rabies. The first one is about how to prevent infection in human beings and domestic livestock including pets while the second one is about how to deal with possible infections.

Rabies can be transmitted by any warm-blooded animal and humans usually are infected due to transmission through dogs. However, it can be prevented if proper care is taken and the following are some of the crucial steps in preventing the disease.
The following steps are recommended for the prevention of infection in human beings and domestic livestock. Of the two aforementioned methods, the following five steps must be taken in the first one which is prevention from infection in human and domestic livestock are:

1. Vaccination of pets
The most common way for humans to get rabies infections is through their pets. Therefore, having to vaccinate one’s pet animals like dogs, cats, and other such domestic animals is very important for prevention for oneself as well as the animals. Ask the nearest vet to have your pet animals vaccinated.

2. Monitor and Supervise pet animals when they are allowed to move out
Avoid one’s pet animals to come in touch with stray domestic animals as well as wild animals. Some animals like raccoons, ferrets, bats, opossums, and squirrels can carry rabies without any physically visible symptoms. Therefore, pets must not be allowed to come into contact with these groups of animals. A leash or a fence may be constructed to keep one's pets away from such animals. If at all one’s pets have to be kept outdoors, necessary advice must be sought from the relevant disease control authorities of the concerned local area if there are any rabies outbreaks.

3. Reduction of stray animal numbers in the community
Stray animals around must be either eliminated or treated for rabies. The nearest vet center must be consulted for carrying out such population control works including the castration programs for stray animals. Having one’s pets spayed or neutered is very important as well. Ensure that children do not handle animals that are not treated. Rabies control in Bhutan is done through manipulation of the dog population through a Capture-Neuter-Vaccinate Release (CNVR) program supported by Humane Society International. The effectiveness is yet to be measured though.

4. Advice people not to handle wild animals
Handling of wild animals through an attempt to feed or attract them by use of means that are not ethical around one's locality must be avoided. One must never adopt wild animals because if one is around wild animals, there is every risk ones can contract rabies if one comes across infected animals.
5. Being careful once one is away from home country.
Few countries have high rabies infection rates. Therefore, one needs to be extra careful if he/she enters such countries. Consultation with the doctor, travel clinics, and visiting available medical facilities can help one to be away from rabies infection. Knowing the risk of exposure to the disease rabies (pre-exposure prophylaxis), and what to do if you are exposed is very important to prevent rabies.

The second method of prevention which is dealing with potential rabies infection is the following protocol:

1. If one is bitten, sought immediate medical attention
As soon as one is bitten by a dog, wild animal, or any such animal that has the potential to carry rabies, consulting the nearest doctor immediately is important. Plus, if your pet has been bitten visit the veterinary hospital immediately. Waiting can make the infection worse. As such, immediate action must be taken.

2. Treating the wound before reaching the hospital
If the local doctor is out of station or the veterinary hospital is closed, the wound needs to be cleaned using the following method.
a. Clean the wound with soap and water. World Health Organization advises that rabies can be eliminated at the site of infection by using chemicals or using physical means very effectively.
b. Using iodine or ethanol solution on the bitten area can be very helpful as they can kill the sensitive bacteria.

3. Get rabies vaccination
If one who is bitten has not been vaccinated, the doctor would administer anti-rabies immune globulin that will help spread of the virus from the site of the bite. However, one might have to take the injection at regular intervals. The schedule normally is like 4 doses of vaccine with one dose right away and further doses on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th day. HRIG (Human Rabies Immune Globulin) must also be administered along with the first dose. But if one has been already vaccinated, he/she must get 2 doses of rabies vaccine, one taken right away and another on the 3rd day.

CONCLUSION
There is no disagreement that rabies is a killer but there is also no disagreement that it is preventable. To keep away rabies is in the hands of people as we know how to prevent them. Therefore, we must strive to apply the very famous principle idea “Prevention is better than cure”. If we can prevent it, there is no way we will suffer from rabies infection and subsequent consequences. Therefore, prevention is the best way ahead for humans.
Further information, prevention, and treatment tips

Seek immediate veterinary assistance if your pet gets bitten by wild animals by any chance.
In America, raccoons are the main species that carry rabies while dogs are the main carriers of rabies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
One should never go near stray animals as they may be infected due to the non-monitoring of the vaccine.
Keep children away from other’s animals, and tell them to "Love your own, leave other animals alone".
Not all domesticated animals may be rabies-free. It could be fatal to assume that a rabies tag on the pet’s collar is safe as it does not guarantee an updated vaccination has been administered.
Warnings

Always visit the nearest hospital if you have been bit. Rabies is a very very dangerous disease in humans as it can kill the person infected if he/she is not treated.

References and Further Information are available from the following papers
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), (2011), Wild animal surveillance. Available online http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/location/usa/surveillance/ wild_animals.html [Nov’2014]
Rabies, WHO, Available online http://www.who.int/rabies/epidemiology/ Rabiessurveillance.pdf [Access Nov’2014]
Tenzin, Wacharapluesadee, S., Denduangboripant, J., Dhand, N.K., Dorjee, J., D. Tshering, D., Rinzin, K., Raika, V., Dahal, N., Ward, M.P. Rabies virus strains circulating in Bhutan: implications for control. Epidemiology and Infection, 2011; 149: 1457−1462.
Tenzin, Dhand, N.K., Ward, M.P. Patterns of rabies occurrence in Bhutan between 1996 and 2009. Zoonoses and Public Health, 2011, 58: 463−471.
Tenzin, Dhand, N.K., Gyeltshen, T., Firestone, S., Zangmo, C., Dema, C., Gyeltshen, R., Ward, M.P. Dog bites in humans and estimating human rabies mortality in rabies endemic areas of Bhutan. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2011; 5: 1391.

World Rabies Day Mission (2011), GARC - Global Alliance for Rabies Control 2014, Available online http://www.worldrabiesday.org/EN/world_rabies_day_mission.html (Accesses Nov’2011)

A LONELY MAN

Photo of a lonely man (Photo: Kachen, 2017)

Going home is like going to a secluded place for a lonely man

Going for work is like going to a deserted cabin for a lonely man

Going to roam street is like going to see strangers for a lonely man

Going to a friend's place is like going to a autocratic boss for a lonely man

So, where is the home for a lonely man

Where is the work place for a lonely man

Where is the street for a lonely man

And where is a friend for a lonely man

If I see a man alone I feel like sharing how lonely I am

If I see a lone dog in the street I feel like taking the dog home to share how I am feeling

If I see a vagabond, I really want to know his story as well

If I see a lone guy like myself, I put myself into his shoes and declare, oh! I have a friend.

Life is not worth living if you don't enjoy that's what every loner thinks I thought

Life is not just a cup of tea, sumptuous meals, boozy evenings or comforting companies

Life is not just about fat bank accounts, acres of land, range rovers or palace like houses

Life is not just about beautiful companies, dozen trusted followers or guards around you

It is about how serene and peaceful you are - All loners know that.

It is about tea, meals, drinks and comforters when you need the most - All loners know that

It is about money, land, vehicles and houses when you need the most - All loners know that

It is about companies who can share your problems when you need them most -  All loners know that

Today if there are someone like me; alone, aloof and agitated (due to bad luck)

Come and meet me, I have a word or two at this stage (don't be late)

Today if you feel you are sick missing someone special (due to circumstances beyond one's control)

Come and see me, I can tell you something to keep you engaged for some time.

   

THE HUMAN THOUGHTS VARY

Birds differ by the colour of their feathers and the human beings differ by the thoughts that they have in their hearts  though they belong to the basic fundamental entity of birds human beings respectively  (Saying in  Dzongkha).

To cite an example of different thoughts in different individuals of human beings - the short story, The First Seven Years give the general aspects of human thoughts. The characters of the story represent the humanity as a whole. Therefore, the feeling of different characters of the story depicts the feelings of human beings in general.

The author through his portrayals like Feld the shoemaker, Sobel the shoemaker's assistant, Miriam the shoemaker's daughter and Max a college boy gives us an insight into the inner being of different human beings.

The story reveals the secret of sentimental people through Sobel and Miriam - example of typical sentimentalists which is true and applied to human beings in general. While the other two characters Feld and Max serve as an example of people crazy for wealth. Sobel and Miriam operate at the affective level while Feld and Max operate at the cognitive level. Feld wishes his daughter to get married with at least a well placed man - educated and wealthy though she herself does not want to study further. This thought in Feld captures Max a college boy handsome and hardworking who travels to his college in any weather. Feld, therefore looks to Max as his prospective son in law. So he arranges dates  for Miriam with Max that annoys sentimental Sobel.

Story of Sobel the Shoe Maker's Assistant from the Sherubtse College days.

However, Feld fails to realize his dreams because, Miriam his daughter, an assertive who believes in independent life discovers Max to be no other than a materialist.  Max does not fit into her mental frame or mental orientation. Miriam yearns for human touch - the soul to soul relation. This desire for human touch in her does not receive proper response from Max on their dating. Miriam can well be placed with Joseph Conrad in terms of feelings who said, "Something human is dearer to me than all the wealth of the world".

As against the sentimentalist, Max the college boy is a materialist like Feld. They believe in living a wealthy, luxurious and comfortable life. It could be the probable reason for Max taking business course leading to degree in accountancy. By and large this concept is applied and practiced in this modern world.

Meanwhile, Sobel one of the main characters of the story has in his heart a sentiment which grows with passage of time - the love for young and beautiful Miriam. He is annoyed twice, once when Feld forbade him to pass books to Miriam and the second time when Miriam and Max go out for date which show to us the kind of feeling he has towards Miriam. Though old, poor, ugly and weak he has within him a personality which is a mixture of innocence, passion and sentimental heart. 

Thus, the author Bernard Malamud creates a window to the human mind functioning despite the fact that there is no art to find mind's construction.

Basically, human beings in terms of their mind functioning can be divided into two or more groups, the Coleridgeans, the Benthamites and the Hedonists.

Sobel and Miriam serves as an example of Coleridgeans who believe in the being mode of life rather than the having mode.  All human beings of Coleridgean nature have in their heart a soft corner for humanity. They are usually kind, generous and zealous.

In contrast to Coleridgeans are the Benthamites who believe in becoming wealthy rather than being kind and generous. And Feld and Max in the story "The First seven Years" are the best examples of such human beings. One can see the changing world with the population of Benthamites increasing and their craze for money and wealth.

The next categories of human beings are the Hedonists, those who believe neither in being mode of life nor having. Their concept of life is eating, sleep, drink and get married. 

Hence, it is the feelings - the thoughts that an individual has in his or her heart that differs very much. The probable reason in their difference in thoughts could be the taste of life in them.

Noto Bene

This was submitted as an assignment for the literature part of the English during my ISC - Year 12 course at Sherubtse  and  the  comment received  for this  article from Mr. Thakur  Singh Poudyl,  then  Vice  Principal  of  Sherubtse  College  and  my  English Teacher was "A well thought out response, Jigme". However, the score was only 12 out of 20 and was evaluated on 26th November 1995.

NEW ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN FOR BHUTAN - A BLUE PRINT

SUMMARIZED DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ZOO

Proposed Name :                  Royal Bhutan Zoological Garden (RBZG)
Location :                               Khasadrapchu, Thimphu (Yellow pin in Figure 1)
Altitude :                                 2400 meters above sea level (masl) (Source: GPS Record).
Geo-coordinates :                  27°19’40.40”N; 89°34’39.68”E (Figure 1)
Forest Type :                          Blue pine forest (Physical observation)
Rainfall :                                 800 to 2000mm (Country data)
Temperature :                         3 to 28.7 degrees Celsius (country data)

Figure 1. The proposed site for the proposed Royal Bhutan Zoological Garden (Map Courtesy: Google)

1. BACKGROUND
Assuming that I have been given an opportunity to set up a zoo of my own in Bhutan, I propose to have one which would be an excellent centre for the study and conservation of wildlife. In fact, Bhutan needs a zoo very badly not only to conserve species, conduct research or entertain the people but also to treat the sick and stressed animals that come out of their habitat either being chased by predators or due to other reasons. Being a government employee, responsible for in-situ conservation programmes of wild animals and plants, I feel a strong necessity to have a zoo in conformity to all the best available guiding principles of a very good zoo that will help solve issues concerning wild animals.

1.1. Why zoo in Bhutan
Bhutan does not have a zoo other than a small Takin Reserve in the capital while it boasts of 80 percent forest cover and 50 percent of the total land area under protected area systems. Conservation in-situ is doing well but for the ex-situ programs, the country needs to take some coherent action. Therefore, I propose to have a zoo with endangered animal collection for conservation, education and entertainment. Further, Bhutan is the only country in the Himalayas without a zoological collection and a new zoo would go a long way in promoting Bhutan’s rich natural heritage while giving lots of options for connecting with other zoos in the region including the Padmaja Naidu Zoological Garden in Darjeeling, India and Kathmandu Zoo in Nepal where the collection is mostly Himalayan species for successful exchange of animals and other programs to co-exist.

1.2. Why in Thimphu
Thimphu, the capital city receives thousands of tourists every year. With a zoo placed nearby, the likelihood of the visitors making to the zoo for whatever reasons (education, entertainment, research, etc.) are very high and the zoo can sustain itself by charging nominal fees. Being near the capital, the proposed zoo will also have access to many other facilities for both the animals and the zoo authorities. Added to it, is the advantage of the animals in emergencies to be air lifted easily from Thimphu to other veterinary hospitals outside Bhutan.

Further, for the sustenance of the zoo, almost all funding agents, volunteering agencies, government and non-government organizations, and various stakeholders reside in Thimphu making establishment of zoo not far from them almost a compulsion. A lot of business opportunities to promote zoo and its collections are available in Thimphu unlike other places in Bhutan. Technical points that support the site include suitable climate, water availability and the topography of the site for sustainable management. The site the has potential to provide best possible enclosures (that appear like nature) for all animals. Further, a zoo in Thimphu can educate more people than any other places in Bhutan because the city has most of the population of 700000 total people of Bhutan.

2. MISSION AND VISION
The mission statement of the proposed zoo for Bhutan is “a continued source of species to deter extinction – the next Naoh’s Ark devoted to rendering obliging visitor experiences and invigorating passion to save wild animals.” And the vision of the zoo is “Bhutan’s trailblazer in protecting wild animals to guarantee the plentiful diversity of nature for the coming generations.”

3. GOALS
1. Move towards center of excellence for conservation, education and entertainment
2. Raise guest experiences to please various audience to motivate conservation works
3. Make a zoo that is environmentally and fiscally sustainable for long term existence
4. Create partnerships and explore new opportunities to keep the zoo going
5. Build inspired staff and volunteers for creating awareness to people who could support the zoo.

4. OBJECTIVES
1. To help in-situ conservation by supporting the re-introduction programmes for species on the edge of extinction
2. To treat sick animals (diseased or distressed) - act as a hospital for the sick animals
3. Edu-tain (Educate and entertain) the people/visitors

5. SPECIES CHOICE
In gthe eneral, choice of species for the zoos depends on many factors like mission of the zoo, fund, space, technology and knowledge about species that are to be conserved, exhibited or collected. The location of the zoo is very important because it could also determine the type of collection. In the proposed zoo located near Thimphu, the species chosen are in Tables 1, 2 and 3 for ma,mmals, birds and herpetofauna respectively. Since one of the main missions of the collection is to supplement in-situ conservation, animals identified as critically endangered (cr), endangered (en), vulnerable (vu), rare (r), near threatened (nt)/lower risk (lr) in the wild by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the aIpendix (app i, ii, iii) species of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will be given importance while also keeping the local species of conservation, culture and traditional significance protected under Bhutan’s Schedule I (bsch i) list in the Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan, 1995 (FNCA).

Of the 189 mammals species recorded so far for Bhutan, the zoo shall keep 27 species that are crucial for international and local conservation. For example, Axis axis will be kept in the collection because of its rarity in Bhutan although it is not under threat internationally. Being uncommon in Bhutan, the deer can attract local visitors. Owing to its status, the zoo will also have Elaphus maximus, the providing best facilities. Other listed mammals besides Sus salvanius, Bubalus bubalis, and Bos gaurus can definitely survive in Thimphu because of their relevant ecological altitude supplemented by best facilities provided to them.

Amongst avi-fauna, the zoo will keep 30 species including the ones protected under FNCA (Bhutan Schedule I (bsch i)), IUCN)the , nd CITES.

In herpetofauna group, the zoo will keep 7 species (2 snakes and 5 Testudines). But as the species invariably belong to the lower foothills of the Himalayas – the Siwaliks, a thorough habitat manipulation inside the zoo is required.

Another criteria used for choice of species for the zoo is the power of the species selected to attract visitors and researchers. In my collection, many species qualify the status of flagship or umbrella species for researchers as well as visitors. For instance, Panthera tigris is considered a flagship species by field biologist in the wild because when action to conserve the species in situ is taken many species in the food chain are conserved. Some wildlife biologists in India term “Rusa unicolor conservation as Panthera tigris conservation” or vice-versa.

Table 1. Mammals

Sl. #	Species	Common Name	Status	Criteria
1	Felis/Prionailurus viverrinus	Fishing Cat	vu, app ii	iucn, cites
2	Lutra lutra	Otter	vu, app i	iucn, cites
3	Melursus ursinus	Sloth Bear	vu, app i	iucn, cites
4	Presbytis/Semnopithecus entellus	Grey Langur	lr/nt, app i	iucn, cites
5	Presbytis/Trachypithecus pileatus	Pileated Langur	en, app i	iucn, cites
6	Axis porcinus	Hog Deer	app i	cites
7	Canis lupus	Gray Wolf	app i/ii	cites
8	Felis/Lynx lynx	Lynx	nt	iucn
9	Marmota himalayana	Himalayan Marmot	app iii	cites
10	Vulpes vulpes	Red Fox	app iii	cites
11	Axis axis	Spotted Deer	Bsch i	fnca
12	Ailurus fulgens	Red Panda	bsch i, en, app i	fnca, iucn, cites
13	Bos gaurus/frontalis	Gaur	bsch i, en, app i	fnca, iucn, cites
14	Budorcas taxicolor whitei	Bhutan Takin	bsch i, vu, app ii	fnca, iucn, cites
15	Capricornis sumatraensis	Himalayan Serow	bsch i, vu, app i	fnca, iucn, cites
16	Elaphus maximus	Asian Elephant	bsch i, en, app i	fnca, iucn, cites
17	Manis crassicaudata	Indian Pangolin	bsch i, lr/nt, app ii	fnca, iucn,cites
18	Mochus chrysogaster	Musk Deer	bsch i, lr/nt, app i/ii	fnca, iucn, cites
19	Neofelis nebulosa	Clouded Leopard	bsch i, vu,, app i	fnca, iucn, cites
20	Panthera tigris	Tiger	bsch i, en, app i	fnca, iucn, cites
21	Trachypithecus/Presbytis geei	Golden Langur	bsch i, en, app i	fnca, iucn, cites
22	Selenarctos thibetanus	Himalayan Bear	bsch i, vu, app i	fnca, iucn, cites
23	Sus salvanius	Pygmy Hog	bsch i, cr, app i	fnca, iucn, cites
24	Bubalus bubalis	Wild Buffalo	bsch i, en	fnca, cites
25	Felis/Prionailurus bengalensis	Leopard Cat	bsch i, appi/ii	fnca, cites
26	Panthera pardus	Common Leopard	bsch i, app i	fnca, cites
27	Panthera/Uncia uncial	Snow Leopard	bsch i, app i	fnca, cites

Table 2. Birds

Sl. No.	Species	Common Name	Status	Criteria
1	Aceros nipalensis	Rufous-necked Hornbill	bsch i, vu, app i	fnca, iucn, cites
2	Grus nigricollis	Black-necked Crane	bsch i, vu, app i	fnca, iucn, cites
3	Tragopan blythii	Blyth's Tragopan	vu, app i	iucn, cites,
4	Haliaeetus leucoryphus	Pallas's Fish Eagle	vu, app ii	iucn, cites
5	Haliaeetus albicilla	White-tailed Eagle	lr/nt, app i	iucn, cites
6	Ichthyophaga humilis	Lesser Fish Eagle	lr/nt, app ii	iucn, cites
7	Gyps bengalensis	White-rumped Vulture	cr, app ii	iucn, cites
8	Aquila clanga	Greater Spotted Eagle	vu, app ii	iucn, cites
9	Aquila heliaca	Imperial Eagle	vu, app i	iucn, cites
10	Arborophila mandellii	Chestnut-breasted Partridge	vu	iucn,
11	Lophophorus impejanus	Monal Pheasant	bsch i	fnca
12	Tragopan satyra	Satyr Tragopan	lr/nt	iucn
13	Polyplectron bicalcaratum	Grey Peacock Pheasant	bsch i	fnca
14	Aythya baeri	Baer's Pochard	vu	iucn
15	Aythya nyroca	Ferruginous Duck/Pochard	lr/nt	iucn
16	Indicator xanthonotus	Yellow-rumped Honey guide	lr/nt	fnca, iucn, cites
17	Buceros bicornis	Great Hornbill	lr/nt	iucn
18	Harpactes wardi	Ward's Trogon	lr/nt	iucn,
19	Alcedo hercules	Blyth's Kingfisher	lr/nt	iucn
20	Apus acuticauda	Dark-rumped Swift	vu	iucn,
21	Gallinago nemoricola	Wood Snipe	vu	iucn
22	Sarcogyps calvus	Red-headed Vulture	lr/nt	iucn
23	Ardea insignis	White-bellied Heron	en	iucn
24	Corvus corax	Common Raven	bsch i	fnca, national bird
25	Ficedula subrubra	Kashmir Flycatcher	vu	iucn
26	Sitta formosa	Beautiful Nuthatch	vu	iucn
27	Prinia cinereocapilla	Grey-crowned Prinia	vu	iucn
28	Spelaeornis caudatus	Rufous-throated Wren Babbler	lr/nt	iucn
29	Sphenocichla humei	Wedge-billed Wren Babbler	lr/nt	iucn
30	Ithaginis cruentus	Blood Pheasant	App ii	cites

Table 3. Reptiles

Sl. No.	Scientific Name	Common name	Statue	Criteria
1	Python molurus	Indian Rock Python	lr/nt	iucn
2	Dinodon gammiei	Sikkim False Wolf Snake	r	iucn
3	Cuora amboinensis	Malayan Box Turtle	vu	iucn
4	Cuora mouhotii	Keeled Box Turtle	en	iucn
5	Melanochelys tricarinata	Tricarinate Turtle	vu	iucn
6	Melanochelys trijuga	Black Pond Turtle	lr/nt	iucn
7	Cyclemys gemeli	Indian Leaf Turtle	dd	iucn

6. CONSERVATION

The ex-situ collection shall adopt the following strategies to support conservation of the species in situ.

6.1. Strategy 1: Reintroduction

Join Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s (AZA’s) Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program to help reintroduction of species that are endangered or threatened in the wild. Therefore, reintroduction programs on Presbytis pileatus, Ailurus fulgens, Bos gaurus, Elaphus maximus, Panthera tigris, Presbytis geei, Sus salvanius and, Bubalus bubalis amongst mammals will be initiated in the zoo with relevant stakeholders worldwide.

In avi-fauna, breeding of species like Ardea insignis, Grus nigricollis, Aceros nipalensis, and Gyps bengalensis is proposed as they are under serious threat of extinction. An example of such inian tiative (I followed closely) in Bhutan for Ardea insignis was tried by Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), an NGO in Bhutan. A juvenile white bellied heron was released after hatching in captivity in 2012 but it is not known whether the bird survived. However, such initiatives to help maintaining viable population of threatened species will be one of the primary objectives of the proposed zoo with enough resources.

Re-introductions are feasible and there are examples such as those of AZA’s SSP Programs bringing back Mustela nigripes, Gymnogyps californianus, and Canis lupus rufus from the brink of extinction. They also tried to re-establish the population of Gorilla gorilla gorilla, Vultur gryphus, Uncia uncia, and Ailuropoda melanoleuca in the wild. The zoo will collaborate with the agency for the relevant species re-introduction. Options for Cryo-preservation of genes and others will also be explored to support species continuity in the zoo as well as in the wild.

6.2. Strategy 2: Providing knowledge

Another strategy to help conservation of species is to provide knowledge to the public. The zoo shall focus on providing skills and resources by starting breeding prograand ms, learning and teaching translocation techniques of species from one habitat to others or the zoos. Education on animal (wildlife) health, conducting species specific research, training or educating people/visitors will be taken seriously.

7. RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

My zoo will be integratthe ed into research community and general public for creating awareness in understanding the animal science that will contribute to conservation and entertainment worldwide. Following strategies will be used for promoting research.

7.1. Strategy 1. Collaboration with research institutes (Universities and Colleges)

The zoo shall provide funds to conduct research on critically endangered and other species of conservation signific of all the three taxa (mammal,s, birds and herpetofauna) by collaborating with Universities and research institutes outside and within Bhutan. Local institutes identified for such activities in Bhutan would be College of Natural Resources, Sherubtse College, Royal Thimphu College which are affiliated to the Royal University of Bhutan while Edinburgh Univeristy could be an option outside Bhutan.

7.2. Strategy 2: Education

The zoo shall focus on educating the mass. Scientific studies and basic education on the biology of animals will be taught to collegians, high school students and pre-primary school children as well as the local populace who have no basic education.

8. STRATEGIES TO ATTRACT VISITORS

The following activities will be undertaken to attract visitors to the zoo

1. Intensify awareness and entice tourists

2.       Generate exciting and explanatory means tolve with animals in the zoo

3.       Deliver conservation messages

First, stthe udy target market and understand competition from other zoos and initiate extra entertainment possibilities, additional helpful (charitable) options and expand corporations/partnerships. Second, benchmark other aquariums, museums, zoos and public attraction centres and then identify visitors from Thimphu and outside (families, singles, teens, children, periodic populaces and trippers/occasional visitors, etc.) and then rope in business partners (hotels), press/media and public leaders/local politicians and frame clear action plans as sampled below.

Blueprint 1: Intensify awareness to entice tourists

Strategy: Target homegrown/local and adjoining/neighbouring visitors

Schemes:

• Publicity and PR – Put all efforts in one editorial timetable

• Implement actions targeting singles/families

• Implement online with homegrown bloggers/Yelp/Trip Advisors, etcetera. 

• Bond with international/national occasions with explicit packages (Environment, Earth, Wildlife Day(s), etc.). Update website and improve it regularly with animal bios, review blogs branding them more personal, magnify You-Tube Channels and use other media like Instagram, facTwitter twitter, etcetera. 

• Schedule value photo competitions, formulate “tweet from the zoo” platform

Blueprint 2: Generate exciting and exploratory means to involve with animals in the zoo

Strategy: Create exciting educational packages and signage by collaborating with business associates who fund displays and events

Schemes:

• Cross promote with local business (interesting thinthe gs with zoo)

• Fix permanent exhibits collaborating with large companies in Bhutan/Thimphu

• Let stakeholders to play vital role in developing tactics to create signage/activities in the zo0

• Create wallet foldout brochures about the zoo

• Focus on “edu-tainment” for zoo signaan ge

• Create engaging/interactive experience in the zoo

• Explore ways to work with national groups (WWF Bhutan, RSPN, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation of Environment, Bhutan (UWICE), Department of Forest and Park Services, Bhutan (DoFPS), etc.) and when feasible expand the network outside Bhutan.

• Pick a quarterly topic to convey main zoo messages with attractive conservation themes.

• Attract visitors with 4E “Educate, Entertain, Enable and Empower.”

Blueprint 3: Deliver conservation messages

Strategy: Connect people to conservation with immense experiences

Schemes:

• Employ experienced wildlifers to educate visitors

• Attract people by keeping visitor fees low

• Create spaces for people to sit and enjoy near by the zoo

9. CONCLUSION

The dream zoo shall be located in a very ideal place for the species from Oriental, Palaearctic and Indo-Malayan biogeographic realms. It shall be manned by highly qualified personnel with the state of art technology in place for conservation, entertainment, education and research whicthe h shall ensure achievement of the mission, vision and the objectives of the proposed zoo.

10. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bauert, M. (2002). Technical Guidelines on the Management of Ex-situ populations for Conservation. Zurich Zoo, Switzerland.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) website. http://www.cites.org/eng/
Defra (2012). Zoos Expert Committee Handbook. Available at www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/zoos/

International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN) website. http://www.iucn.org/

Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan 1995 (FNCA). http://www.moaf.gov.bt

WAZA (2005): Building a Future for Wildlife - The World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy. WAZA Executive Office 3012 Bern, Switzerland.

 

Disclaimer 

This is my personal thought and anything written here is not intended to harm or promote people or things mentioned here. No one is authorized to use the content of this blog for either personal, official or official purposes. People mentioned here in are fictitious characters and any resemblance to anyone with some isracters or more are purely coincidence.