While embarking on a bumpy journey on an elephant at the Dudhwa National Park on the India-Nepal border, we were assured that at this time of the year (around June) we would be graced by the presence of the National pride of India. All the energy spent keeping out the mosquitoes and fanning ourselves through the night, in the generator run quarters at the reserve would be worth it. Every penny would have been well spent, we were told. So ignoring all our aches we set out in the dewy morning to feast our eyes on The Tiger. Typically famous for Swamp Deer, it boasts of 101 tigers. At least it used to! Every time the puny bare chest guide cried out ‘mele’ my sister and I would roll our eyes and wait with abated breath for the striped animal, who’s solo call would cause a stir in the vicinity. Later on we realized ‘mele’ in fact was just to prevent our elephant from digressing. Well, we did get to enjoy the sights of the deer and the rhinos in their habitat but were devoid of one of the largest tourist attractor in India.
It’s no surprise though, noticing the situation of the Indian tiger today. Their road to extinction is reaching its destination unless there is an apparition of a solution to their fast declining number. The National Tiger Conservation Authority released an alarming census report on February 12th, 2008 that holds the current population of the tiger to be at 1411. This figure takes into account 16 tiger states and is exclusive of Jharkhand and the Sunderbans. So if one calculates the fall of the number from when the last census was carried out, that is in 2002 then, my children get to see an India with only tales of its National Animal.
India used to boast 40% of the worlds tigers, now with the dwindling number it could well be a country where the tiger first disappears. Despite the numerous conservation organizations in India, the tiger seeks protection. The initial method of tiger counting relied on its pugmarks but its inaccuracy has recently come to the forefront. It has been speculated that previous tiger numbers may be deceiving and that the situation needs adequate methods for accuracy. Using camera’s to trace the tiger in its habitat has revealed this depressing situation.
Who likes to be blamed for the spilt milk? Apparently no one! The Protection Societies blame the states for going cold turkey over the issue. At the same time the population blames these organizations for not doing enough. The states…well blame the government of course! In this vicious circle of who stole the cookie the loss is of our national treasure.
Apart from preserving Mother Nature and her bounty for the future generations has it ever occurred to you that the existence of the tiger is in a way, though not immediate, linked to our survival? How you may ask? Water! The tiger can help conserve this precious resource that makes up 2/3rd of man. This is no rocket science. It’s basic! As the food chain explains it: the carnivores feed on the herbivores and they feed on the green. With the depletion of the carnivore, the population of the herbivore spirals out of control and thus the green is uprooted. The spread of vegetation is required to protect the rainwater and safeguard the water levels. Thus the absence of the carnivore from the food chain will throw the ecological equilibrium off-track leaving the land parched.
The major reasons cited for the cause of the disappearance of this magnificent big cat have been poaching and habitat loss. Tiger skin can be sold for billions and their parts are used for medicinal reasons. Poachers are paid a few thousands by businessmen for the action, selling it abroad for astronomical amounts. An activist interviewed on NDTV- 24x7 referred to poaching as a simple task, which involves trapping the tiger though nets and then killing it with a sharp instrument. Forests are being cut down with the increase in the number of 0’s in the Indian population. Due to this, the tiger wanders into human territory and as any alien is feared and therefore shot down. States have failed to educate farmers on a peaceful co-existence with this relative of the domestic cat.
In this dire situation what can be done and what has India decided to do? Well for one STOP cutting down our forests! Imagine the helplessness if one’s house caught fire. Despite the introduction of the Tiger Protection Force the lack of funds has disabled it from hiring skilled individuals who can keep poaching at bay. The government budget must be reworked to provide prime priority to conservation of nature. It’s a mutual benefit system. Tourism pay and without natures beauties there is no addition to the country’s economy. Sates and local communities need to work in tandem and take tough action to weed out the offenders.
The power of ‘we’ is relentless. The tiger is our valuable possession and we, the force of tomorrow can help in our own little ways to ensure that our possession is taken care of. Living away from India, it may be difficult to directly participate in the nation wide program but we have the power to educate. Words are like wildfire. A spark is sufficient to cause an uproar. Join online campaigns to save the tiger. Our tiny endeavors can do wonders in persuading the government to action. Convey your thoughts on the issue. Let’s not allow Jim Corbett’s hero and the legacy of India suffer the fate of the Dodo!
India tiger population declinesWildlife Protection Society of IndiaIndian Tiger Welfare Society
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