Save the FROG

Despite advts from the Forest Department claiming that they will take 'strict action' against those found catching the frogs for consumption, the killing of the frogs continues unabated in most parts of Goa.

If this continues, it wont be long before the frog disappears from the Goan ecology leading to proliferation of mosquitoes and other pests which are its food.

From small time bars and restaurants, frog meat has started making an appearance in starred hotels leading to a surge in demand for frogs. With 'Jumping Chicken' - the term used to refer to frog meat - becoming too well known for comfort, hotels have started putting 'White Meat' or 'White Tandoor' on their menus to bypass the law.

The Forest Department had claimed that it would run a sustained campaign during the monsoon, to make the general public aware about the dangers of indiscriminate catching and killing of frogs. But no posters, awareness campaign or anything else has materialised as usual except for a solitary advt at the start of the rainy season.

And to top it all, when you do indeed want to complain about somebody catching the poor creatures, the Forest Dept's phone line is forever engaged. Probably, they are still on dialup internet or the phone is off the hook.

So for now it looks as if in a few years, the 'darrao, darrao' of the common frog will be a thing of the past and a story to tell your grandkids on the balcao!