Leeches have long disappeared from heavily concreted and polluted areas, and they are hard to come by even in villages. , Photo Credit: S Siva Saravanan
Between a leech and a mosquito – two bloodsuckers – which one will you face with confidence? I’m sure you’ll choose the latter, remembering how casually we clap and slap them until their doom. A leech cannot be disposed of immediately; For that you need a ‘weapon’ of ordinary salt – you sprinkle a little and the fellow will dehydrate and die!
When mosquitoes are encountered, we also have battery-operated gadgets, sprays and repellents to keep them away. But despite all this, mosquitoes are not only thriving in the 21st century, but are also confidently carrying the billion dollar mosquito repellent industry on their tiny backs.
In contrast, leeches probably aren’t doing as well. I say this because we don’t see leeches around us as often these days as we used to in the past; However, mosquitoes are ubiquitous.
When was your last ‘meeting’ with a leech? Maybe you never really had one or maybe it happened a long time ago and you no longer remember. Where did the leech go?
I remember my childhood days in rural Assam when one would sprinkle kerosene on one’s feet and hands before venturing into forests or marshy lands to drive away leeches. Even going to the backyard vegetable garden carried the risk of being bitten by some.
A farmer, in waist-deep water, was mowing marsh grass for cattle, at risk of being bitten by a large water-leech. To free himself from its tenacious grip, the man rubs his warm saliva over the leech which then loosens its grip. The very small ones found on land were called ‘China’ Jouk‘ (Chinese leech) in the local dialect; But how it got its name remains a matter of speculation. Cattle were also easy targets for leeches; In my childhood, it was a common sight of cows and goats sneezing loudly to drive out nose-bleeding leeches.
But contrary to such images of the past, nowadays leeches are hard to come by even in villages. They have long since disappeared from heavily concreted and polluted urban areas.
As a child, I used to consider leeches to be one of the most unnecessary creations of God. But now I know that there is nothing unnecessary; Every species has its unique position and important role on earth. The absence of a particular species in the food chain adversely affects the delicate balance that is so important for a healthy ecosystem.
Excessive and indiscriminate use of pesticides and herbicides is taking a toll on biodiversity. The picture is pathetic; We are obsessively and relentlessly trying to shape the earth according to our needs, requirements and imaginations. Many plant and animal species have completely disappeared from the planet as a result of our carelessness. Are leeches leaving like this?
It was a day off and I was casually cycling from Jorhat to Mariani, a town in upper Assam bordering Nagaland. The sky above was marked by heavy nimbus clouds, I could feel the cool wet air against my face. Without a raincoat or umbrella, I felt I was heading for an adventure.
The hills of Nagaland in the horizon create a beautiful picture. I got off my cycle and scanned the scene with my mobile phone camera for a perfect shot. Suddenly, my gaze fell on a leech on a blade of grass, all excited and feeling the agitated blood. I shuddered and moved myself out of his reach. But, to be honest, I was happy to see him after many years.
Wishing for better luck, I got on my bicycle and moved on. It was a normal experience but yet it gives a message of hope that there are still healthy nooks and corners left in our polluted towns and cities.
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