Indiscreet destruction of forests has affected the Dangs the most in Gujarat, said former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sanat Chavan.

If the state government and forest department did not take prompt action, several wildlife species will vanish, he said.

Chavan, speaking at the Community Science Centre on Saturday evening on ‘Interference in wildlife habitat and its effects’, said the state government must not allow industrial development at the cost of wildlife.

“Politicians often asked me why I raised hue and cry about wildlife in Kutch, a desert. I wondered why they fail to see rare wildlife in the region,” said Chavan.

“Where will the animals and birds go if the state government is planning to bring in massive industrialisation?” he asked.

Several wildlife species like flying squirrels in Dangs, elephants in Rajpipla, tigers in Panchmahals have disappeared because of lack of awareness among villagers, he said.

“They (villagers) ate anything which flies. I have seen them burning a 100-year-old Mahuda tree. I have seen farmers spending two hours to kill a rat. These habits have proved costly for the wildlife. The flying squirrels have disappeared. The tigers, which existed in large numbers, have disappeared. The lions in Gir have survived only because the villagers realised the importance of the food chain,” said Chavan.

Chavan said the state forest department must realise the importance of wildlife habitats and its patterns.

“The massive plantation drive of huge teak trees has adversely affected the lions. Time and again a demand is made to create some space by cutting the social forestry plantation, but the authorities for some reasons have not given heed to it,” he said.