Friday, 20 July 2018

DOWN MEMORY “FOREST” LANE


EPISODE 1: A FUNNY CHASE
By M.T. Pyneeandy, forestry_mauritius


The majority of the population in rural areas used firewood and wood charcoal for cooking and heating purposes in the 1970s and early 1980s.  Mauritius was a poor country and life was very hard at that time.

It was common for villagers to come on state forest lands to collect firewood.  As the demand for firewood was high, many poor people could not resist the temptation to cut trees illegally on state lands in order to make ends meet.  There were also some unscrupulous persons who found illegal logging a lucrative business, and sometimes with the blessing of some corrupt Forest Officers (Les brebis galeuse).


Mountain Anse Jonchée 
   
On a hot Saturday in December, 1982, three colleagues and I set off for patrol duties at Mountain Anse Jonché, Vieux Grand Port.  No sooner had we reached the foot of the mountain than we heard the sound of chopping wood.   Together we quickened our steps and reached the edge of the forest.  We did not take the zig-zag forest track but moved straight across the vegetation in the direction of the noise.  We were excited at the thought of catching someone red-handed.  Suddenly we saw a tall dark man cutting a tree with an axe.  He was surprised and frightened to see us.  In a matter of a few seconds, he jumped on the zig-zag track and took to his heels uphill with the axe in his right hand.  Without wasting time, we chased after him. 

The slope was quite steep and my colleagues could not keep pace in the sweltering heat.  One by one they stopped to rest.  I was the only one behind the woodcutter.  It did not take long for him to regain his sense and realized what was happening.  All of a sudden, he turned around, raised his axe menacingly and started chasing me.  He blurted out: “Aster mo pou coupe toi” (Now I will chop you).  I was shocked in disbelief and my heart kept pounding. I ran downhill as quickly as I could.  I shouted to the top of my voice to warn my colleagues of this mad man.  We all ran down without looking back.  Fortunately, he stopped chasing us after a few minutes.  We reached the foot of the mountain exhausted but with a sigh of relief.  What a narrow escape!

5 comments:

  1. haaaaaaaaaaaaa, nice experience to be remembered

    ReplyDelete
  2. Big respect! Tough times, i reckon!

    ReplyDelete
  3. CFCEO C . Ramful, Forestry Mauritius30 July 2018 at 09:14

    The tall dark man incident gives a hint on how risky is the job of a Forest officer. The PRB should be convinced to work out a risk allowance for Forest officers.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you all for the comments. Indeed the job is quite tough and dangerous. We invite others to comment and share their views and experience. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  5. chasing persons for illegal cutting of trees posed such risk. Now the report of LAM SHANG LEEN is suggesting forest officers to track illicit cultivation of cannabis in the remote areas of the forests. Imagine what would be the result.
    K.sookee 1/9/18

    ReplyDelete

  IS COVID-19 A WARNING SIGN FOR MAN TO COME BACK TO NATURE? By F.Mohit - forestry_mauritius The rate of deforestation in the world is more ...