Daily Times

Rarely a day passes in our daily lives, when we do not hear reference to “law of jungle”. Prime TV talk shows; debates on geo-political issues; newspaper pages recounting heart wrenching stories — you name it and all manner of absurdities, atrocities or anomalies are lumped together under abysmally misinformed banner of jungle law.

To someone, who has been privileged to spend most years of prime life in forests — lucky to know ways of wild animals more than humans around — this comes as a dual disappointment. How ill-informed are we, about our oldest companions across evolutionary ladder and how callous are we in collectively dubbing a pristine way of life as unbecoming of respect.

An unjust adjudication; an unscrupulous act of inane nature by a politico; a manifestation of loot and plunder defying even the primordial sensibilities; stone-hearted violence or insensitive display of basic canons of civic sense by ordinary citizens. All such events invariably trigger the same old stolid refrain that law of jungle reigns supreme in our society.

Too bad that jungles and their wild inhabitants are constrained by cosmic scheme of things, not to respond to this misplaced innuendo — otherwise they would have brought blushes on many a faces in our society.

For starters, let me assure that it is a completely farcical statement to contend that there is no law in jungle. Jungle and its dwellers are governed — in a most punctilious manner — by a code of conduct and demeanour which covers each and every phase of their individual and collective lives. Revered and adhered to alike a testament ordained by Mother Nature, which transmits through genetic make-up of all living species, residing now fast squeezing wildernesses.

But what exactly are ingredients and stipulations of the jungle law that I am referring to so adoringly? Diligently following and performing the individually ascribed roles; religiously honoring and respecting the hierarchies and behavioural protocols; never trespassing the prescribed boundaries and nature’s limitations; strictly restricting survival and consumption needs to basic essentials; unflinching care and concern for weaklings and young in one’s race and species. In essence, never disturb or distort the balance, rhythm and music of your universe, your ecosystem and your niche.

Let me now hazard some guess work; try to apply “essential canons of law of jungle” to our collective life — for once digressing from our codes and constitutions and see just how, our society would fare under law of jungle.

Hunters in jungles rarely kill beyond their legitimate, survival needs — needs that have been inscribed inside their instincts. Human under the same jungle law would therefore only pursue wealth and material gains which are essential for healthy survival of themselves and their dependents. No loot and plunder to satisfy greed for limitless fortunes by flouting all laws of the land. Let humans adopt this principle and hoarding, tax evasion, stashing of ill-begotten wealth — all would vanish.

Dwellers of jungles perform their duties and responsibilities without deceit or default. Honey bees collect honey every flowering season; insects pollinate every spring to spread seeds as far as they can fly; carnivores never become herbivores and omnivores devour as is their ordainment; parenting is performed singly or jointly by animals and birds alike until the young are beyond months and years of vulnerabilities; Rhinos and Hippos open their awe-inspiring jaws with razor sharp teeth and small finches pluck their teeth without any fear. Each and everyone in the jungles go by its designated mandate and roles in the larger scheme of things. Let state and private sector functionaries in places of responsibilities in high or low offices adhere to these canons and there would dawn an era of diligence efficiency and productivity of hitherto unimagined proportions in our systems.

And this is not the end. Big cats take pains to pile earth over any dirt in their dens or tirelessly lick clear and neat their cubs and themselves after each meal to remove slightest smudge of dirt or blood — lesson in hygiene and sanitation. Almost all wild animals are most averse to any intrusion to privacy of others during courtship times — that’s decency and chastity. Ungulates alike wild buffaloes, giraffes or rhinos rally to save their cornered herd companions even against most lethal carnivores — that’s comradeship of noblest nature. Killers in jungles — who are duty-bound by nature to kill for maintaining balance of population — employ most efficient and expeditious means to minimise sufferings of the hunted.

Last but not the least, on issues of power sharing and authority, humans can learn much from the wild species. Head of a pride or a herd — be it a lion, tiger, deer — can only hold the position to lead on pure merit — unadulterated and absolute merit. Only the ablest and most capable, blessed with best of nature’s endowments is qualified to lead and rule. And he would retain and preserve his leadership role by always being the best in everything — strength; valour; in protecting the interests of his followers against all odds, be these grazing grounds or drinking waters.

And lest we forget, jungles have yet another valuable lesson to teach. When time comes for a master to move — a lion, tiger, bull elephant — they never mistake the writing on the wall; on the tablets of the fate. Suzerainty is handed over to the next ablest as the former chooses to nobly fade out. Seamless, unhindered transition of authority at appropriate times by children of jungles has allowed wheels of evolution to run for collective good of everyone since times immemorial.

So the next time, there is someone lynched for crimes undone; when limitless avarice is practiced through abuse of authority or justice is miscarried or writing on the wall misread — don’t curse the law of jungle. Put the blame where it actually lies or maybe hope for the day when law of jungle and codes of nature are also honoured by our society.

Writer is a public policy and environmental expert