A chance incidence yesterday caused me to watch a show on Tigers, India's National Animal, on Animal Planet. The show was about the state of tigers in the much hyped Tiger Reserves of India. These tiger reserves are managed under Project Tiger, a Central Government initiative started in 1973 by the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. However, contrary to its objective, this scheme has largely turned a blind eye to the apathy of tigers. Thanks to large scale poaching, by 2005 tigers had been wiped out completely from one of the biggest reserves in the country, Sariska Tiger Reserve. Imagine what a shame it would have been for the whole country to wake up one morning and realize that our national animal has been wiped clean from India. To me at least, this would be more shameful than India getting knocked out in the first round of Cricket World Cup, not qualifying for Hockey in Olympics or the Cash-for-Vote and similar scams that rock Parliament every other day.
Concerned government officials refuse to accept that the tiger population is fast dwindling. They counter it with their own findings that the tiger population has actually increased in the reserves. Tiger pug marks form the basis of their statement. The best part of this method of tiger tracking is that often, different pug marks of the same tiger are often interpreted to suggest the presence of multiple tigers. With no help, whatsoever, forthcoming from the concerned Ministry and bureaucrats, the environmentalists had to turn to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for help. With the able support of the PM, renewed efforts have been started to ensure that at least the next generation can view this majestic animal before it is confined to memories in text books and websites. I am sounding pessimistic here because, the guardians are too few and a tad weak compared to the well-connected and powerful poacher lobby. Future generations would have to be content with seeing only the pug marks (and not the actual animal) if poaching continues unabated.
The Animal Planet show says that huge demand from Tibet is the cause for this rampant poaching. As long as the demand from Tibet continues, tigers would be susceptible to fall prey to plunderers. I would like to differ at this point. Even if there is a mammoth demand from Tibet or from any other part of the world, we can still ensure that the tiger is safe. And this is not the job of only NGOs and environmentalists. It would take efforts from all like minded people to ensure that this beautiful animal (as well as other species) are not wiped off the face of India. While NGOs and environmentalists can continue with their supervisory role in ensuring that the Tiger Protection Schemes are a success, even the common man can do his bit for the tiger's sake. How, you may ask? If we can all at least visit these tiger reserves every once in a while, it will make a huge impact. For one, the huge level of tourism will make the poachers and conniving government officials wary of killing because of the level of awareness around. The tiger situation worsened to its current state partly because public, at large, were blind to the happenings at these tiger reserves. Second, the cash flow from this tourism would certainly help the already beleaguered government in providing adequate funds to these reserves. Remember, there are a variety of species living in these tiger reserves; its not just the tiger alone. The Government can do more than its bit too. The Government of India shares excellent relations with the Dalai Lama, the unofficial leader of Tibetans who holds big influence on his people. If the government can coax the Dalai Lama to request his people to stop buying tiger fur, it would hugely jeopardize the tiger poaching business. Together, we can ensure that Tiger, and not Man, rules the jungles in India.
Concerned government officials refuse to accept that the tiger population is fast dwindling. They counter it with their own findings that the tiger population has actually increased in the reserves. Tiger pug marks form the basis of their statement. The best part of this method of tiger tracking is that often, different pug marks of the same tiger are often interpreted to suggest the presence of multiple tigers. With no help, whatsoever, forthcoming from the concerned Ministry and bureaucrats, the environmentalists had to turn to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for help. With the able support of the PM, renewed efforts have been started to ensure that at least the next generation can view this majestic animal before it is confined to memories in text books and websites. I am sounding pessimistic here because, the guardians are too few and a tad weak compared to the well-connected and powerful poacher lobby. Future generations would have to be content with seeing only the pug marks (and not the actual animal) if poaching continues unabated.
The Animal Planet show says that huge demand from Tibet is the cause for this rampant poaching. As long as the demand from Tibet continues, tigers would be susceptible to fall prey to plunderers. I would like to differ at this point. Even if there is a mammoth demand from Tibet or from any other part of the world, we can still ensure that the tiger is safe. And this is not the job of only NGOs and environmentalists. It would take efforts from all like minded people to ensure that this beautiful animal (as well as other species) are not wiped off the face of India. While NGOs and environmentalists can continue with their supervisory role in ensuring that the Tiger Protection Schemes are a success, even the common man can do his bit for the tiger's sake. How, you may ask? If we can all at least visit these tiger reserves every once in a while, it will make a huge impact. For one, the huge level of tourism will make the poachers and conniving government officials wary of killing because of the level of awareness around. The tiger situation worsened to its current state partly because public, at large, were blind to the happenings at these tiger reserves. Second, the cash flow from this tourism would certainly help the already beleaguered government in providing adequate funds to these reserves. Remember, there are a variety of species living in these tiger reserves; its not just the tiger alone. The Government can do more than its bit too. The Government of India shares excellent relations with the Dalai Lama, the unofficial leader of Tibetans who holds big influence on his people. If the government can coax the Dalai Lama to request his people to stop buying tiger fur, it would hugely jeopardize the tiger poaching business. Together, we can ensure that Tiger, and not Man, rules the jungles in India.
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