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Mercy-less release

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Sumita Thiagarajan
Sumita Thiagarajan

This document summarizes the current situation around the Buddhist tradition of mercy release in Singapore on Vesak Day and proposes some alternative policies. It discusses how mercy release can negatively impact the local ecology through introducing invasive species and diseases. The document outlines the current laws prohibiting releasing animals into nature reserves and parks. It also summarizes some proposed alternative policies like capturing invasive species, intercepting the wildlife trade, raising awareness, and developing new release traditions that don't impact the environment.

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Mercy-less Release Eeyi Oon ? Sumita Thiagarajan The Impact of Vesak Day Release and Related Policy in Singapore
Overview ? Background information on Buddhism ? Current situation ? Alternative Policies ? Conclusion
Background ? Buddhism and the concept of Karma ? Vesak day ? old tradition dating back to 1880s ? celebrate life, death and enlightenment of Buddha ? Origin of Mercy release ?Tiantai Master Chiyi (538A.D.)
Introduction ? Vesak day ? Mercy release Change, irony and interpretation 24th May 2015 The Straits Times
Total Ecology Biophysical Institutional Human Animal welfare issues Demand fuels poaching and illegal trade Disruption of ecological balance Possible introduction and transmission of diseases to native species (e.g. Chytridiomycosis) Reduce water quality of reservoirs and waterways Contradiction of the practice Not all that practice fangsheng are Buddhists Human-wildlife conflict Focus on ¡°Bread and butter¡± issues Parks and Trees Act Animals and Birds Act
Current laws and policies ? Parks and Trees Act ? Animals and Birds Act It is illegal to release animals into nature reserves, parks and reservoirs{ {Pet abandonment is illegal
Operation No Release ? Volunteer programme ? 19 locations; major parks and reservoirs ? Covers reservoirs ? water quality
Alternative policies ? Capturing and culling of invasive species ? Intercepting wildlife trade ? Awareness ? Alternative release practices
Capturing and Culling Invasive Species ? Organizing competitions to capture invasive species ? Legalizing consumption
Capturing and Culling Invasive Species Potential Concerns ? Ethical ¨C ahimsa ? Economic - ¡°perverse interest¡± Advantages ? Efficient - clear improvement ? Environmental - deals with current invasives
Intercepting wildlife trade ? Internationally - risk assessment targeting invasives - limit trade ? Locally - requirements for pet ownership ? What about wet markets? ? Economic tradeoff
Awareness ? Operation No Release (current) ? Publishing in the Straits Times and online ? Effective?
Alternative release practices ? Balancing tradition and ritual with ecology ? Suggestions: ¨C Donating money to charity ¨C Reducing meat intake ¨C Pairing with wildlife sanctuaries to release native species ? New traditions
Conclusion ? Need more data ? Connection with larger issues ¨CPet abandonment ¨CIllegal wildlife trade ¨CGovernment interaction with religion
Thank you! Lower Pierce

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Mercy-less release

  • 1. Mercy-less Release Eeyi Oon ? Sumita Thiagarajan The Impact of Vesak Day Release and Related Policy in Singapore
  • 2. Overview ? Background information on Buddhism ? Current situation ? Alternative Policies ? Conclusion
  • 3. Background ? Buddhism and the concept of Karma ? Vesak day ? old tradition dating back to 1880s ? celebrate life, death and enlightenment of Buddha ? Origin of Mercy release ?Tiantai Master Chiyi (538A.D.)
  • 4. Introduction ? Vesak day ? Mercy release Change, irony and interpretation 24th May 2015 The Straits Times
  • 5. Total Ecology Biophysical Institutional Human Animal welfare issues Demand fuels poaching and illegal trade Disruption of ecological balance Possible introduction and transmission of diseases to native species (e.g. Chytridiomycosis) Reduce water quality of reservoirs and waterways Contradiction of the practice Not all that practice fangsheng are Buddhists Human-wildlife conflict Focus on ¡°Bread and butter¡± issues Parks and Trees Act Animals and Birds Act
  • 6. Current laws and policies ? Parks and Trees Act ? Animals and Birds Act It is illegal to release animals into nature reserves, parks and reservoirs{ {Pet abandonment is illegal
  • 7. Operation No Release ? Volunteer programme ? 19 locations; major parks and reservoirs ? Covers reservoirs ? water quality
  • 8. Alternative policies ? Capturing and culling of invasive species ? Intercepting wildlife trade ? Awareness ? Alternative release practices
  • 9. Capturing and Culling Invasive Species ? Organizing competitions to capture invasive species ? Legalizing consumption
  • 10. Capturing and Culling Invasive Species Potential Concerns ? Ethical ¨C ahimsa ? Economic - ¡°perverse interest¡± Advantages ? Efficient - clear improvement ? Environmental - deals with current invasives
  • 11. Intercepting wildlife trade ? Internationally - risk assessment targeting invasives - limit trade ? Locally - requirements for pet ownership ? What about wet markets? ? Economic tradeoff
  • 12. Awareness ? Operation No Release (current) ? Publishing in the Straits Times and online ? Effective?
  • 13. Alternative release practices ? Balancing tradition and ritual with ecology ? Suggestions: ¨C Donating money to charity ¨C Reducing meat intake ¨C Pairing with wildlife sanctuaries to release native species ? New traditions
  • 14. Conclusion ? Need more data ? Connection with larger issues ¨CPet abandonment ¨CIllegal wildlife trade ¨CGovernment interaction with religion