Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
urbanites are turning to Western imports, increas-
ingly available in markets and pharmacies, rural
and older populations continue to rely on long-
trusted remedies.
One of the most exploited animals is the
rhinoceros. Only a few hundred survive in India,
Nepal, and Indonesia. A mere 70 remain on the
island Java. Rhino parts are craved for their imagined
powers as analgesics and aphrodisiacs. Its drop-
pings are said to cure leech bites, and its rawhide
ameliorates skin afflictions. Its “horn” (actually
hard, agglutinated hair) guarantees the seller
instant wealth. Unfortunately , rhino horn remains
in demand even with public education and legal
restraints on its trade.
Did you know that almost-extinct tigers are descen-
dants of the extinct saber-toothed tigers of Siberia?
Fate of the Tiger
At the turn of the twentieth century , an estimated
100,000 tigers roamed from Siberia to Indonesia.
In the dawn of the twenty-first century , there are
perhaps 2,500 remaining. Three subspecies have
become extinct in the past three years. Big game
hunting in the colonial era and loss of natural habi-
tat are partly responsible for this catastrophe. An-
other important cause is population pressure and
need for settlement space. However, the major
culprit is poaching—the illegal slaughter of these
magnificent beasts for money . T To cite one Indian
conservationist: “Every tiger that walks into the
forest is a cash register.”
From the tip of its nose to the tip of its tail, vir-
tually every piece of a tiger is useful in traditional
Chinese and other Eastern medical practices. Here
are only a few examples.
•
THINKING ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT
Environment is a multidimensional concept, and defini-
tions range from anthropocentric to bioethical: the envi-
ronment exists to support humanity versus it has value
in its own right. The former leans toward the idea that
there is a sharp division between people and nature, the
latter toward the notion that human and natural worlds
are entwined in an all-encompassing life-world. Those
who view environment in terms of its use value tend to
think that problems result from mismanagement and
that better management of resources will fix things. The
bioethical perspective is that nonhuman phenomena
have intrinsic moral significance apart from their utility .
Therefore, humans have a moral responsibility to care
for and protect all aspects of nature. Between these “use
it” and “save it” perspectives lie numerous other inter-
pretations.
There is a common perception that Asian culture
groups, at least historically , lived closer to and had
more regard for nature. Nature must be important be-
cause both East and Southeast Asians employ natural
metaphors regarding social position and morality . For
example, reason (
li
) is fundamental to the history of
Chinese philosophy . Originally , the character for
li
meant “well-distributed veins on minerals or precious
stones.” Later, it came to mean “principle” and then,
“universal principle.” Besides, nature is intrinsic to re-
ligions and belief systems. For instance, numerous
gods in Hinduism such as Ganesh (an elephant) or
Hanuman (a monkey) are animals. The popular god
Vishnu rides on a bull. However, there is no single
Asian concept of nature.
Claws
cure insomnia
•
T eeth
treat fever
•
Brains
, when mixed with oil and rubbed on the
body , cure acne and laziness
•
Eyeballs
are for malaria and epilepsy
•
Whiskers
prevent toothache and give the user
courage
•
Tails
sooth skin diseases
•
Penises
promote virility
•
Bones
cure rheumatism and paralysis
A dead tiger can fetch as much as US$40,000 for
its various body parts in the retail markets of
East Asia.
In addition to these “medical” uses, there is a
huge demand for tiger skins, claws, and teeth for
ornamental purposes. An Indian tiger skin can
bring as much as US$15,000 in Arab nations. Tibet
has become a virtual shopping mall for tiger prod-
ucts. Chinese (not Tibetan) vendors in Lhasa hawk
dozens of pelts in the back rooms of their shops.
“Acquiring” a tiger is a horrible affair (for the
tiger). According to an account from the Wildlife
Protection Society of India, the killer sets a few
metal traps near a watering hole in a wildlife park
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