By Madan G Singh
The tiger is a magnificent animal. It is also a ferocious beast that is intelligent and cunning. Its natural home is the tropical forests, but it is in abundance only in India. There was a time when tigers roamed the jungles of India and it is estimated that at the turn of the nineteenth century there were nearly 100,000 of them.
However during the days of the Raj, the unabashed hunting tigers by the Princes and Nawabs as a sport led to the mass scale shooting of these animals. It was also a spectacle that was always arranged by the local Raja for his English resident when dozens of these big cats were shot. In addition big game hunters like Jim Corbett and Kenneth Anderson had the dubious distinction of shooting hundreds of these beasts. Jim Corbett however realised his mistake and became a conservationist of wild life later in his life.
The wheel has now turned full circle and the tiger is on the verge of extinction. As per the latest figures released by the government of India the tiger population is reduced to less than 1500. It is a sad commentary that this magnificent animal may just vanish from the face of the earth.
However the government and the WWF have awoken to this fact an launched a tiger conservation program.But again the efficacy of this program launched 40 years back is doubtful as the tiger population despite this project has dwindled to this meager figure.
The reason for this decline in tiger population is easy to understand. In a nutshell it shows a lack of commitment towards saving the tiger. The tiger itself is under siege with his natural habitat destroyed and encroachment on the reserves earmarked for the tiger being populated by human beings.
In addition to the loss of its habitat the tiger has suffered indiscriminate killing by poachers for his skin and the villagers who fear the man eaters. What can the poor tiger do with his natural prey not available he has perforce to turn a man eater, thus inviting the wrath of the hunters and the villagers.
With less than 1500 tigers availed the alarm bells have started ringing. But only a concerted effort can save this magnificent species from becoming extinct. The requirement is to put dedicated men in the field as part of the tiger conservation project. The men detailed must have missionary zeal and at the same time take the help of the local villagers as well as make them understand the significance of saving the tiger.
But all is not lost. Even now the Indian Government can awaken TO THIS PRODIGIOUS TASK AND THE TIGER MAY STILL BE Saved FROM EXTINCTION. But that will call for a fresh approach, there is no other way. In addition foreign experts need to made part of the Tiger project. We cannot allow this magnificent beast to become part of the museum of natural history.
The tiger is a magnificent animal. It is also a ferocious beast that is intelligent and cunning. Its natural home is the tropical forests, but it is in abundance only in India. There was a time when tigers roamed the jungles of India and it is estimated that at the turn of the nineteenth century there were nearly 100,000 of them.
However during the days of the Raj, the unabashed hunting tigers by the Princes and Nawabs as a sport led to the mass scale shooting of these animals. It was also a spectacle that was always arranged by the local Raja for his English resident when dozens of these big cats were shot. In addition big game hunters like Jim Corbett and Kenneth Anderson had the dubious distinction of shooting hundreds of these beasts. Jim Corbett however realised his mistake and became a conservationist of wild life later in his life.
The wheel has now turned full circle and the tiger is on the verge of extinction. As per the latest figures released by the government of India the tiger population is reduced to less than 1500. It is a sad commentary that this magnificent animal may just vanish from the face of the earth.
However the government and the WWF have awoken to this fact an launched a tiger conservation program.But again the efficacy of this program launched 40 years back is doubtful as the tiger population despite this project has dwindled to this meager figure.
The reason for this decline in tiger population is easy to understand. In a nutshell it shows a lack of commitment towards saving the tiger. The tiger itself is under siege with his natural habitat destroyed and encroachment on the reserves earmarked for the tiger being populated by human beings.
In addition to the loss of its habitat the tiger has suffered indiscriminate killing by poachers for his skin and the villagers who fear the man eaters. What can the poor tiger do with his natural prey not available he has perforce to turn a man eater, thus inviting the wrath of the hunters and the villagers.
With less than 1500 tigers availed the alarm bells have started ringing. But only a concerted effort can save this magnificent species from becoming extinct. The requirement is to put dedicated men in the field as part of the tiger conservation project. The men detailed must have missionary zeal and at the same time take the help of the local villagers as well as make them understand the significance of saving the tiger.
But all is not lost. Even now the Indian Government can awaken TO THIS PRODIGIOUS TASK AND THE TIGER MAY STILL BE Saved FROM EXTINCTION. But that will call for a fresh approach, there is no other way. In addition foreign experts need to made part of the Tiger project. We cannot allow this magnificent beast to become part of the museum of natural history.
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