By Harish K Singh

Now in 2010 it is widely believed that there are probably as few as 800 tigers surviving in India and the World Wildlife Fund has listed this magnificent animal as one of the 10 key creatures facing imminent extinction. This shocking figure is in spite of many initiatives from the Indian government, starting in 1973 with the launch of Project Tiger campaign. The tiger is a beautiful, charismatic species and the national animal of India but as a top predator it also plays a crucial role in the health and diversity of a unique ecosystem, maintaining the balance between its prey and the vegetation that it feeds on - without the tiger much of India's wonderful wildlife and beautiful forests will no longer exist.

There are two main interlinking issues that are forcing the tiger into extinction. Firstly there is the problem of habitat as the needs of the tiger and those of the local people in and around India's tiger reserves and National Parks are diametrically opposed - the local villagers need grazing and firewood to survive while the tiger needs vast uninhabited areas for its survival. Secondly, tiger skins and body parts fetch huge sums of money in countries such as China so poaching is a risky but lucrative way of life that the authorities seem completely unable to combat.

How can these issues be addressed? In fact one of the best ways of protecting the tiger is through tourism as wildlife holidays bring prosperity and pride to the local people. There are specialist tour companies that always use local guides and resources that support local initiatives and that work with local NGOs in educating villagers to understand that the tiger is a valuable resource that will bring them long-term benefit rather and is not a threat to their own existence. With a responsible tour operator it is possible to have the holiday of a lifetime while helping the conservation of one of the world's most endangered species. The more people that choose to go on a tiger safari in India, the more chance the Bengal tiger has of survival.

By Jerry G King

Business news for 2010
Mergers and acquisitions will occur in the metal and wood industries. Industries that would do well would be fire related. Restaurants, lighting, fast food chains, bakery shops and those utilizing electricity. So the IT/Computer industry is another bright spot.

Industries that would not fair so well would include chemicals, cosmetics, pet shops, renovation, agriculture and construction. These are all earth related.

Education, pulp and paper, timber, and furniture will be another bright spot as they represent wood. Wood symbolizes growth and education is about personal growth.

Health for 2010
The most vulnerable parts of the body would include the lungs, throat area, the vertebrae and the neck. Reason? Think about this, how does a Tiger hunt their prey? They tend to attack the neck area by gnawing on them.

Rat - 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924
People born in this year often manifest characteristics of a different species that is more resistant to nature. In the Chinese Zodiac, the rats have considerable qualities of resistance and persistence. The rat also has the ability to adapt and move forward. The problem with the rat is that if it faces a difficult circumstance, it can break under pressure.

For those born in the year of the Rat, this will be an average year for you. There will be obstacles at work but overall, it will be a quiet year for you. Doing part-time education is a good way to fight boredom. In terms of investments, don't expect major gains. It is also a year of travel for you.

The Tiger is the travel star of the Rat, therefore, movement is expected for you, whether it is travelling or moving to a new home. For those working in a multinational corporation, there is a greater possibility for you to be sent off to a different city to work in.

Health will generally be good. Just be careful during the period between mid-June to mid July. If you are married, you'll be happy at home. For those who are single and have a target, give it a try.

Ox - 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, 1925
People born in this year are workers and are tireless just like buffalos/cows dragging plows. These people can withstand considerable pressure and support a heavy load. The Ox tends to be conservative and usually stay in the same job or profession for a long period of time. They want to stay economical and do not want to run into any risks.

This is another average year for you but at least it's better than last year. I'm sure many of you prefer not to talk about last year as you violated the ruling animal which we call the "Grand Duke". There won't be any major changes in the work place or at home. In terms of investments, it is better to put money in safer investments like GICs, bonds and long term savings. You will probably end up spending money on special events and weddings.
In terms of health, the Ox tends to work extra hard, therefore, you need to sleep early and take extra care of your health. Proper vitamins and exercising is the way to go.

If you are married, you should find some time to be together. Try not to think about work every night and day. If you are single, romance will be there and mid-June to mid-July will present opportunities for you.

Tiger - 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926
The Tiger experiments with the total force of his energy with overwhelming intensity. The tiger in his natural habitat have an immense field of energy found in constant and intimate interaction with the environment that surrounds it. The force of the tiger is profoundly and deeply sensitive. Even when they are resting, they are like a loaded gun at rest, ready to fire. Their influence can be considerable, both in business and people relations.

This is an inauspicious year for you. Those born in the year of the Tiger offend the Grand Duke, in Chinese, it is called "Fan Tai Sui". The Grand Duke is the ruling energy that causes instability to those who share the energy of the year, as a result, thinking may not be clear and it is easier to make the wrong decisions. Wealth should not be exposed. For you, it is better to lay low. Take care of your belongings as it is easy for you to attract robbers' attention for this year.
Health can be a problem for you. Be extra careful if you drive a lot. There is a conflict between the Metal and the Tiger energy of this year. There is a month where you have to pay particular attention to regarding health. That is the month of the Monkey as it clashes with the ruling animal. The month of the Monkey begins on August 10th and ends on September 7th in 2010. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels must be monitored. Stay away from alcohol and lust. Getting away between mid August and mid September is advised. Symptoms in health includes minor sickness, emotional imbalance, and minor misfortunes.

There are greater possibilities for romance in the month of the Rabbit for those who are single. That would be between mid-March to mid-April. For those who are married, avoid arguments.

Remedies include using a Pig talisman. Wearing a talisman of a 'pi you' dog is also another possibility.

Rabbit - 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927
The Rabbit is gentle and kind and tends to have a wide group of friends and family. They enjoy entertaining at home and ensures that their home is comfortable and organized. Change is not immediately embraced by the Rabbit as they will think over every detail before making any decisions.

This is a very lucky year for you which will include possibilities of promotion and money luck. Money will come and go but career will definitely be positive. Health and investment will be very positive for 2010. Head injury is a possibility for you so be careful especially in the Autumn.

In relationships, the Rabbit for the year of the Tiger is a Peach Blossom star which means there could be signs of unwanted romance in your life. Don't allow a third party to ruin your marriage. If you are single, there are plenty of opportunities for you so be patient and scope out all the possibilities before diving into a relationship.

Dragon - 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928
The Dragon is seen as one of the most powerful and lucky animals in the Chinese Zodiac. It is proud, courageous and charismatic. The dragon also possesses many talents and they are intelligent. The dragon can influence others with their ideas and advice but they do not like to listen to anyone else but themselves. They can achieve a considerable amount if they put their mind to it but their main objective is power.

This is an average year for you. The Tiger is the travel star of the Dragon, so expect a bit of travelling and movement. Whatever you do, you must be very very careful. Be more meticulous in your work. If you run a business, there are potentials for lawsuits in business dealings. Re-read and review your documents before signing them. In terms of money and work, Dragons could face heavy losses in financial matters. Donating would be one way to ward of the bad energy. Do not make hasty decisions at work or in business and avoid major investments.

Health is not favorable for you this year. Rest early and see a doctor immediately if there is anything wrong. Exercise regularly and avoid beef, mutton, and pork. Beware of the lunar month of the Dog which is between October 8th and November 5th. There is a high possibility for those born in the year of the dragon to come down with the flu.
Regarding relationships, if you are single and suddenly encounter some romance, it will not last unless you change your own behavior. Lower your temper and avoid being jealous. There are opportunities in the month of the Rooster, between September 8th and October 7th for you to meet more people and make new friends.

Snake - 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929
The Snake is very smart, popular, and slick. They are sometimes perceived as lazy. The snake usually wait until the situation presents itself before they strike. They are very determined in their work and they work very hard until the job is done. Snakes also use their gut instincts when making important decisions. The snake is usually a very cautious animal.

This is a mixed year for you and it depends on whether you also have a Monkey in your chart. You have to be careful if you have a Monkey in your chart because it will result in the "triple punishment" or "triple penalty" which combines with the Tiger. Bickering, lawsuits, legal issues, and backstabbing will be experienced.

Things should be smooth as long as the Monkey is avoided. One way of verifying whether the Tiger would do any harm to you this year is to see what happened in 1998. That was also the year of the Tiger. If nothing dramatic happened to you that year, you should have a very smooth year. There will be big achievements and you should avoid changing jobs. Money luck should come from career or even from random investments. Stick with blue chip stocks or mutual funds if you decide to invest. Avoid high risk penny stocks. There is a guide star for you where women will come to assist you if you are in need of it.

There are possibilities of robberies, thefts or car accidents. Try to get away in the month of November if you can. Travelling, donating to charity, and volunteering in November is advised.

In terms of health, it may not be as good for you. There is a tendency to catch a flu or cold. Take your vitamins. Mid-August to Mid September is the month for you to be careful. Travelling or getting away during that month is the best way to avoid problems.

Regarding relationships, guard yourself against false relationships if you are single this year. For those who are single, there are greater opportunities for you in between mid-June and mid-July.

Horse - 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930

The Horse is full of energy and they need a lot of space to run around. They are not the type that would sit down in a 9-5 job. The horse fears being trapped in any circumstances whether it is at work or at home. They are constantly on the move and it can result in impatience on their part. On the other hand, they are fast thinkers and can make quick decisions.

This would be good for you. The Horse is friends with the Tiger. For those who are born in the Year of the Tiger, you might be wise to stick with the Horse. The Horse is part of a Fire Alliance/Trio with the Tiger and the Dog. There may be some obstacles at work so your are advised to be mindful of what you do and go with the flow of the events. Don't fight the tape and argue with your boss. Follow the flow is the best way to label the Horse as it wants to follow the "fire flow".

For money, luck through good fortune should surround you and investments in high risk stocks can reap huge rewards for you. Just ensure that fire is favorable to your chart. Just because you're born in the year of the Horse, it doesn't mean that you'll all get rich through high risk investments.

Health is generally good for you, however, avoid water sports or going to snowy places. There will be danger with water. If your chart enjoys a fire flow, it is better to go with the flow. Using water to fight the fire will result in mishaps. Be aware of your health especially in the month of December.

In relationship matters, if you are married or dating someone, you should be able enjoy a nice period of happiness. On the other hand, if you are single, it may take awhile for you to meet the right partner. Opportunities do exist between mid-March and mid-April.

Goat - 2003. 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931
Goats are creative and intuitive and they would make good artisans or teachers. They can be overly sensitive and insecure. Goats need a lot of support from their friends and families because of their insecurity. They are day dreamers and are more comfortable being alone when they are thinking.

It will be a good year for you. There is a star that enters your life called the "Tian Xi", meaning that you'll be attending good and happy events this year. This could come in the form of a marriage or some sort of a ceremony. This year will definitely be smoother than last year. The year of the Ox must have been trying at times since it clashed with the Goat. If you ran into a slew of bad luck last year, don't despair because this year will be much more stable as the negative energy of the Ox dissipates.

You might find it difficult to save money this year and it may be an important issue to you. In terms of work, it is a year of stability for you so don't expect major changes.

Your health is not so favorable for this year but it is definitely better than last year. If you are married, be mindful of your emotions and watch how they can cause quarrels. If you are single, there will be romance but it can result in arguments with your parents.

Monkey - 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932
The Monkey is energetic, charming and optimistic. They are also adventurous and crave for new ideas and activities. The monkey is very straight forward and cannot hide their feelings. They enjoy showing off their creativity and charm to their friends. If there is one word to describe monkeys, 'fun' is the word.

Those born in the year of the Monkey will experience difficulties this year. Why? Because the Monkey clashes energetically with the Tiger. Tips for those born in the year of the Monkey: 1. Avoid attending funerals and weddings. 2. When faced with arguments, it is better to let go than to force your way through them. The Tiger is your travel star so expect a lot of travelling for this year.

Try to carry a Dragon or a Rat figurine as it will prevent the Tiger from attacking the monkey. Hang out with people born in the year of the Rat or Dragon.

It is better to invest overseas if possible. There will be gossips about you at work. Just stay low and you'll be fine.
Regarding health, it is better to get more sleep and exercise. The head and neck area may be vulnerable.
There will be arguments if you are in a relationship. If you are single, it is better for you to tread carefully. Of course, if you meet a Rat or a Dragon, that's a different story as they will help you ward of a clash with the Tiger.

Rooster - 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933
Roosters are observers and they are meticulous in everything that they do. Their perfectionist nature can annoy the people around them. They love to be the center of attention. The rooster can be loyal and trustworthy friends. Think about it, the rooster screams early in the morning at the same time, they are a timely and trustworthy animal, but on the flip side, they could be annoying at times. The main characteristic of the rooster is their great attention to details, therefore, these people would thrive in work requiring great precision and accuracy.

This is a good year for you. There are positive/lucky stars and there are also some bad ones. Fortunately, most roosters are optimistic, hence, they will be able to clear hurdles much easily than others. If you are working, be aware of hidden enemies at work. Try not to engage in any long discussions at work because it can turn into a heated debate.

In terms of health, you may catch a flu early in the year especially in the month of the Rabbit, that is between March 16-April 13. Take care of the lungs with morning exercises because it will be more vulnerable. This is not a good year for you to change jobs. The Tiger is the Guard star for the Rooster, therefore, you should be well protected from any negative incidents.

Family members will be harmonious towards you.

Dog - 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934
Dogs are wonderful and loyal friends to have around. They can become stubborn and emotionally unstable at times. Dogs can make great business people since they have the ability to discern the true motives of others. They are serious and intelligent and they commit to noble causes. Dogs are constantly working to make the world a better place.

For Dogs, this is a good year for you as the Dog is friends with the Tiger. Those who are working should not encounter problems in the workplace. If you are looking for a career change or if you notice good job openings, you should go for it. Even though it is a good year for Dogs, those in business have to be careful of lawsuits and business deals.

Health wise, you may overwork yourself on the job so make sure you rest up! Health issues for you would stem from backaches and stomach troubles.
Relationship should be smooth for those who are married or in a relationship. For those who are single, your lucky break to meet someone comes in between mid-March and mid-April.

Pig - 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935
Pigs are generous and honorable. They make great friends because of their refusal to see the negative side of people. Pigs care about their friends and family and work hard to ensure that everyone in their life is happy. They are constantly working hard to improve themselves and others.

Pigs will enjoy an excellent year. It is going to be fantastic for you both in your career and wealth. However, the pig has to be humble at all times or others may become jealous of you and that may lead to problems. You can consider using spare money to invest in stocks or just simply save them for future use. Health should also be exceptional.
In terms of relationships, things should go smoothly for those who are in a relationship. On the other hand, if you are single, you have plenty of opportunities to meet new friends especially in December.

By Kamal Singh

Corbett National Park is one of the most significant natural habitats in the world. It is home to the endangered species of Tiger. Lying in the foothills of the Himalayas, the park's diverse flora and fauna, breathtaking beauty and the charming landscapes make it a priceless Gem in India's large natural treasure.

History

Known as the Hailey National Park at the time of its establishment on August 8, 1936, the name was later changed to 'Ramganga National Park' in 1954 and was changed yet again in 1956 to its present name. This name came from Jim Corbett's name, the expert hunter, celebrated author and famous natural conservationist who hunted man-eater tigers here in the early part of the 20th century.

The Landscape and geography

Spread over an area as vast as approx. 520 sq. Kms, the park's elevation ranges between 400 to 1200 meters.
Geographically, the Park is actually a valley with ridges dotting its large tract. Many rivers and rivulets enhance the charm. The most prominent is the Ramganga.
Sal and other mixed deciduous forests are found throughout the Park while the grasslands known as the Chaurs, which cover about 1/10th of the park's total area, give the tourist a better and uninterrupted view of the wildlife.

The Wildlife, in general

The park houses more than 50 mammal species and 25 reptile species. Antelopes like the Nilgai and the Ghoral, many varieties of deer including Hog deer, Sambhar, Chital etc, the ancestors to us humans like Rhesus and the good-old Langur are found in the area. The tiger and leopard are part of the species of cats found here. A special resident is the Dhole, the wild dog.

Many other species of animals like jackals, fox, wild boar, sloth bear, black bear and a vast range of reptiles like the cobra, python are also found apart from two species of crocodile. The Gharial can be seen relaxing in the pools of the Ramganga.

A staggeringly high number (580 to be precise) of species of birds are found here including water fowl, 17 types of woodpecker, kites, peafowl, the rare chir pheasant, the red jungle fowl, minivets, cuckoos, drongos and barbets. The reservoir on the river formed with the building of kalaghar dam attracts large number of migratory and other species of water birds. This makes it a Bird watcher's paradise. It is considered a 'Bird Park' in the true sense.

The Tiger, in particular

Project Tiger, launched in 1973, was started from Corbett park itself. The predator is a nocturnal animal. So, seeing it in the daytime is considered good luck of the visitors.

The highest density of Tiger population is in the Chaurs and other forests. Chital, hog deer and elephants are also spotted here. The best ways to see wildlife, viewing-towers are present here in large numbers.

The transportation and other facilities inside the Park

The National Park office at Ramnagar offers jeeps on hire at reasonable prices. Elephants are available for wildlife viewing at Dhikala and Bijrani. Elephant-back rides on every morning and evening are worth the experience.

Reaching the park and the accommodation

A range of accommodation is available at Dhikala, a nearby town, including luxurious 3 room cabins, Swiss cottage tents and log hut dormitories. The facilities available include restaurants, a library, a field post office, a first aid centre, an open air theatre and a provision store.

Forest rest houses, the ideal place to live in such a locality, are available easily. These are located at picturesque spots near and around the park. The isolated rest houses are ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, anglers and bird watchers.
The Nearest airport is Pantnagar, 133kms. away and the near-most railway station is Ramnagar, 50kms. from Dhikala.

By Road, Dhikala is connected to almost all the nearby big cities. The distance of various big cities from here is:

Delhi (290kms)

Lucknow (503kms)

Ranikhet (114kms)

By Alejandro Guevara Onofre

India is the home to Mahatma Gandhi and famous women such as Indira Gandhi was born there. From my point of view, I believe that Indira Gandhi was one of the most important ladies in modern Indian and Third World history. Daughter of political leader Jawaharlal Nehru (Prime Minister 1947-1964). She was born on November 19, 1917 in Allahabad.Indira governed for 15 years. In the 1970s, she had an autocratic government: human rights violation and corruption...

Once in power, she established good relations with Soviet Bloc. Mrs. Gandhi participated in numerous international conferences on population, health and women.Under her direction, the India annexed Sikkim, a Buddhist country. Her best friends were: Julyus Nyerere (former dictator of Tanzania), Forbes Burnham (former dictator of Guyana), Fidel Castro (currently dictator of Cuba) and Michael Manley (ex-President of Jamaica).

In 1984 she was assassinated by two men of her own guard. However, Many people loved her and hated her. Certainly, for many years, the politics of India have been dominated by the Gandhi family and their party. Without doubt, she is famous as Margaret Thatcher(former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom) and Eva Duarte de Peron (ex- First Lady of Argentina). Since 1966 more 50 countries have had women presidents, Vice-Presidents and Prime Ministers, including Central African Republic, Taiwan, Ecuador, Jamaica, Uganda, South Korea, Vietnam and the ex German Democratic Republic (GDR).

She had a great passion and was a prominent advocate for animals rights. In the 20th Century many endangered mammals were killed in India for use in traditional Chinese medicines. Millions of endangered species of mammals were illegally exported to Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Macau and Japan. Certainly, Indian Jungle is the habitat of numerous wild animals like elephants, rhinoceros and tigers. Between 1910 and 1958, more than 57,000 tigers were killed by hunters.In the 1970s, there were 2,000 tigers in Nationals Parks.

With doubt, Indira Gandhi was an ardent Third World spokeswomen for the animals rights. She once said: "I would like to see my children have the opportunity to see tigers in their natural habitats..." In 1973, After the founded the "Project Tiger", Indira Gandhi had strictly forbidden the hunting of tigers and trade of tigers bones. Like the gorilla in Rwanda (African country)... Lion in Kenya... Panda in the People`s Republic of China and... African elephant in Botswana, the tiger is the national symbol of India. In the 1980s, there were 4,000 tigers in many National Parks.

As Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi became the second woman Prime Minister in the British Commonwealth of Nations. For many years her personal ruled imposed a unity on India.The country has more than 800 ethnic groups and more 200 different spoken languages. Furthermore, India has one of the World's most oldest civilizations and is one of the largest countries around the world.

REFERENCES:

-Universal Encyclopedia Illustrated European-American Annual Supplement 1960-1987, Espasa-Calpe, Barcelona

-Encyclopaedia Britannica Book of Year 1977, 1981, 1984, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Chicago

-Guevara Onofre. Woman and Power, Cecosami, File, 2001

-Grimberg, Carl. Universal history: Century XX (volume 12), Editions Daimon Barcelona, 1969

-Report of the World-wide Conference of the Year of Woman DF (Mexico) of June-2 of New York, United Nation, 19, Mexico, the International July 1975, 1976

-Notice For Speakers th Advancement of Women, New York, 1995

-Rothstein, Robert. "Democracy, Conflict and Development in the Third World", Magazine of Political Science, Bogota, 1991

-Uglow, Jennifer. The MacMillan Dictionary of Women´s Biography, The MacMillan, London, 1982

Alejandro Guevara Onofre:

I am a writer about Third World issues (human rights, biographies, culture, history, olympic sport, democracy, women's rights). I have many books (Mundototal, Power and Woman, and History of Women in the United States) and essays ("Dictatorship and Woman:The First Lady of the Cuban Revolution", "Taiwan:Democracy and Human Development", "Culture and Dictatorships", "Fidel Castro and Sport", "Pol Pot", "Robert Mugabe and Dictatorship", "Indira Gandhi a

By Rolland Meigs

The native range Brook trout originally covered the eastern 2/5 of Canada. Northward to the Arctic Circle, the New England states and southward through Pennsylvania along the crest of the Appalachian Mountains to North Eastern Georgia, western limits included Manitoba southward through the great lakes. Environment changes such as pollution, siltation and streams warming due to deforestation have caused reduction in the original range. Ever since the late 19th century Brook trout have been introduced into the western provinces of Canada and a great many different states in the USA.

Brook trout inhabit large lakes, large rivers, ponds and small headwater streams. They seem to strive best in a cold temperate climate, cool spring-fed groundwater with moderate precipitation. Rivers that the Brook trout lived in can be characterized by clear, cool spring-fed water, a silt free rocky bottom where there is also slow deep water sections with vegetated stream banks.

Cover is one of the basic and essential components of a trout stream. I love streams that have a lot of overhanging bushes and also undercut banks. Tall trees and vegetation around the stream keeps the stream well shaded, which in turn helps keep the water temperature cooler.

When brown and rainbow are introduced to a stream the Brook trout appear to disappear. Brook on the other hand has been known to displace cutthroat and Grayling in the headwaters of western streams. Brook have been hybridized artificially with lake trout to produce what is the known as splake trout. They have been crossed also with rainbows and brown trout. In some rare cases the Brook and brown trout will cross naturally and streams. These are called Tiger trout.

As far as the Brook trout's longevity that seems to be broken up into two groups. The first group is between 3 to 4 years, which consists of smaller Brook trout that typically live in the smaller cold streams. The second group lives between 8 to 10 years and they inhabit the larger rivers and lakes.

Sexual maturity of Brook trout varies among different populations. The males of the species usually mature before the females. Males have been known to mature in their first year, size of the male doesn't seem to matter when they can become mature. In some cases as small as 3.5 inches long.

Spawning may begin in late summer in the northern regions to early winter in the southern part of the range. Springs that are located in the lakes rivers or streams seem to be their favorite spots for spawning grounds. They prefer temperatures ranging from 4.5 to 10° c. The female will clean off spaces amongst the stream gravel to lay her eggs, these are called redds. Clean and well oxygenated areas seem to have an affect on the spawning success. They are typically streams spawners, but spawning commonly occurs in gravels surrounding spring upwelling areas of lakes and ponds.

By CS Swarens

If you have decided to bring pet fish into your home, one of the first things you will need to determine is the type of habitat you will create. You may be surprised to learn that there are actually many different types of habitats for you to select from. In addition, the type of habitat you choose to create will determine the type of fish you can put into your tank.

A community tank is a tank that may contain a variety of different fish, but all of the fish species in a community tank need to be non-aggressive against each other. This way, the fish can live in the same tank without hurting one another. This does not mean, however, that you cannot have aggressive fish in your tank. Rather, you need to choose the fish in your community carefully. This way, one species will not dominate and harm the other species. Some types of community tanks you might want to create include:

o Cichlid tanks

o Tetra and Liverbearer tanks

o Fast moving tanks

By combining the right types of fish together, they will be able to live together peacefully.

Cichlid Tanks

Cichlid tanks come in two major forms: African and South American. When it comes to cichlids, you can mix a variety of African cichlids together or you can mix a variety of South American cichlids together. You cannot, however, mix African cichlids with South American cichlids. If you do, disaster may strike as the two different types of cichlids fight over the territory.

With African cichlids, you need to make certain your fish have plenty of places to hide. These fish tend to enjoy having rock formations, caves, and plants in which they can hide. Ideally, you should maintain a pH balance of 8.0 for African cichlids. South American cichlids, on the other hand, need to have plenty of space to move because they tend to get quite large. Some fish that fall in this category include severums and Oscars. Since they tend to get so large, you should have a tank that is at least 50 gallons big in order to keep them happy.

Tetra and Livebearer Tanks

Tetra and livebearers can be kept in smaller tanks than what you would use for cichlids. In fact, a tank that is only ten to twenty-nine gallons big is large enough. The pH should be in the mid 7s for most livebearers, though tetras prefer the pH to be somewhere in between 6.5 and 7. Either way, it is best to keep plenty of plants and decorations in the tank, as these fish tend to enjoy playing with their decorations.

Fast Moving Tanks

Fast moving fish include fish such as tiger barbs, zebra danios, and sharks. For these fish, you will want to obtain a high tank that provides them with plenty of space to roam. Although these fish don't really have anywhere to go, they like to get their fast. The temperature in these tanks should be kept somewhere around 70 to 80 degrees.

By Ameya Bondre

We know about the homeless children in metros and the enormity of child starvation in rural India. We are witnesses to an education system that is still crippled with rote learning and scarred by student suicides, scrapping of board exams notwithstanding. We know what it means to search a job in the aftermath of recession and the recurring epidemic called price rise. We react to "other" sports in India not getting their due so much that their champions have to protest before the authorities for a deserved pay rise, forget the perks. And of course, we care about our internal security system, more so after 26/11...

So when our hands [rather concerns] are full, why should we spend our time and effort in saving the tiger?

Well, the question does imply that we don't need to think about the future of our grand children when we are still going through the pains and pleasures of past and present relationships!

The Tiger sits atop the hierarchy called the "Food Chain" - no animal [I mean in the jungle!], attempts to kill the tiger. If the present tiger count in India from 1411 becomes 0 in the next 5 years or so as estimated by tiger experts, the herbivore population would proliferate and thereby, pose a risk to the green cover of forests. Such a risk means a greater amount of the already raised greenhouse emissions. It would also lead to a serious compromise on resources that trap and preserve water as forests, in case we have forgotten, prevent rapid runoff of water after heavy rains and minimize flooding.

Thus, by saving the tiger, you strongly contribute to protecting every leaf of the forest, saving every drop of water it receives and preventing further warming of the earth.

Unfortunately, this is nothing more than mumbo jumbo for most, if [and thankfully] not for all. The stimulus to blog on this issue now and in future, obviously lies in the commercials on air exhorting people to do so, but I'm more interested to target the forces within each one of us that tell us to chill about this; or say that it's no big deal; "you" won't be affected by it; it's too late to do something about it; or the worst - what can we do about it?

We all have the time, ability and courage to solve today's pressing environmental issues; it's just that a lot of us do not have the inclination to save our planet. As children, we are taught to care for our environment, water and wildlife and, as a matter of fact, at that tender age, we do. That's because, we have, then, the kind of "universal" sensitivity, also for our surroundings just like for many other things. Then, as we grow older, we get more involved in the complex problems of our own work while getting interesting things to know and thrive on. We begin to understand our own dreams and the needs of our near and dear ones. So, where is the scope left for any attention to be given to, say some issue like endangered wildlife?

I believe that the sole reason for chronic neglect of environmental matters - be it at the level of the individual or organizations, is because Man is disconnected with the "Rhythm" of Nature. And yes, this Rhythm goes much beyond the Food Chain. For instance, year by year, summers getting hotter, winters getting colder and monsoons getting erratic are distressing to the Indian farmer, that is to say the least of course, in view of farmer suicides. Add to that; the Government in debt, irrigation not up to the mark leading to dependence on the rain gods and damage which was caused then, by BT cotton. Yes, I may sound as if a critical link to a serious economic issue which took many lives is the environment, but that is precisely what I mean by the disturbance Man causes to the "Rhythm" of Nature and what its consequences could be. An example of a smaller scale herein would be tigers entering streets in urban areas and attacking humans, particularly near depleting green cover of wildlife sanctuaries, as the natural habitat and food source of the animal has been destroyed significantly by human life or business.

The critical questions are - Does the fallout of environmental damage, only lie in the future - are there no effects already caused?; Who dictates the Rhythm of Nature on whom?; Does Man have any degree of control over this Rhythm? Is the attitude of denial or delay, with regard to rapidity and irreversibility of environmental damage and the impending repercussions of the same on human life and economy, sensible in any way?

Mankind has been tested, time and again, by formidable challenges and each time has emerged triumphantly or at least started treading on the path towards success. Take the case of global pandemics - small pox and plague once threatened to wipe out communities. HIV-AIDS, no doubt a serious issue still, has been tackled effectively, so much that a vaccine is no longer a distant dream. Wars and nuclear proliferation notwithstanding, better sense has prevailed at the highest authorities, to avoid another "World War". Yes, there are terrorists and the terrorists that they create, but also an equally rising global effort to upgrade security standards, in at least developed countries. However, both global warming and wildlife conservation cannot even be compared to the above threats firstly, because, these threaten the very existence of human beings and animals in the form of catastrophes coming without a warning. Secondly, the early signs of detection of present or potential damage, even if undeniable, are difficult to measure or predict.

Most importantly, there has been the presence of well defined professionals and sectors - ranging from researchers to health professionals, politicians and diplomats to intelligence agencies. Do such systems exist for addressing environmental concerns? And even if they do, is that the way towards a radical "behavioral change" or "attitudinal shift" on the part of individuals - who are the most important players here? Can an obese patient having diabetes and high blood pressure, be saved from say, an outcome like cardiac arrest, by repeated efforts from all kinds of specialized personnel; if he does not change his own lifestyle - does not resort to physical exercise and healthy food and stay away from addictions and stress?

As cynical as it may sound but, even if leaders of tomorrow championing the cause of environmental concerns are to be created out of today's school kids, by imparting the kind of education that is focused on such concerns; what would these leaders, say after ten years fight for? What would be left to fight for? My point herein is - this issue entails every individual to be a leader. We cannot wait for leaders to be born and solve this problem for us, like we have been bestowed before. And yes, we really do not have a choice here. We HAVE to correct the treatment that we give to the environment - it could be small important things such as not keeping your laptop on standby or recycling your e-waste like a discarded cell phone; or through bigger endeavours such as participating in television campaigns that have proven their mettle by lighting several villages in India with solar power...

Thank you for reading...

By Omer Ashraf

Can India's tigers survive against the huge odds stacked against them? Do they really stand a chance against rampant poaching, habitat destruction, loss of prey and killings by villagers? Nearly a century ago there were over forty thousand tigers in India. True many were hunted by Westerners and Indian lords decades ago but India still had thousands left at the time of its independence in 1947. Still they continued to be shot down by anybody who owned a rifle and could buy a bait to attract the tiger. Villagers grazing their herds through forests ensured that the natural prey of tiger starved to death and thus so did tigers. As a result, by early 1970's less than two thousand tigers remained in the jungles of India.

Fortunately for the striped sufferer, the Indian prime minister at that time, Indira Gandhi, took action and founded Project Tiger, to save her country's most valued asset from total extinction. For the next two decades there was a lull and tigers flourished under renewed protection in designated reserves. As a result their numbers reportedly increased to four thousand. But that was all to change in the nineties. Tiger poaching picked up. Organized gangs took advantage of the inherent laziness and corruption that ran through the ranks of park rangers and officials. As a result, tigers started disappearing. Some of the most well known, photographed and magnificent animals faded away. Some reserves like the famous 'Sariska' reserve, just a couple of hours drive from the Indian capital New Delhi, protected by three hundred rangers, was wiped clean of its dozens of tigers. Similarly tigers began vanishing from internationally renowned parks like Ranthambore and Kanha, visited by thousands of tourists yearly from around the world!

While all this was going on and calls were being made by respected scientists and conservationists like Valmik Thapar and Belinda Wright to urgently protect the tiger, the administration of Project Tiger, relying on obsolete methods of tiger counting like pug mark identification, continued to deny that any tigers were missing. hereafter newer initiatives have been taken by the Indian government and newer guidelines created, further weakening the power of tiger preservation organizations of India. Politicians are now trying to facilitate people back into tiger reserves, bringing further catastrophe to the delicate ecosystems of India's shrinking tiger reserves.

The problems that tigers face are many. First is the issue of poaching that continues unchecked owing to the negligence of underpaid, ill-equipped, outnumbered and unfit forest guards. Laws protecting the wildlife are weak. Furthermore there is a huge demand for tiger skins and parts in China, Far eastern Asia including Hong Kong, Thailand and Burma, and Tibet. Each individual tiger can bring hundreds of dollars to the poor villagers and people of India, many of which live at under a dollar a day.

Then there is the issue of human encroachment into tiger territory. Indian economy is expanding and population is increasing. It already has around one billion people and is set to become the most populous country in the world in coming years. Farmers and villagers are living at the borders of, and often right inside, parks. They graze their herds through jungles resulting in the depletion of natural food for the ungulates of forests that are chief components of a tiger's diet. As a result the starving tigers take to attacking cattle and at times humans. This brings them into conflict with locals who take no time in poisoning partially eaten tiger kills. When the big cat returns to feed upon the carcass, it dies.

Thirdly and perhaps most importantly is the attitude of Indian administration. Not sufficient concrete and long term measures are being taken by the government while tigers continue to be slaughtered in most of the so-called 'protected areas' of Indian tiger reserves. In the end, this may prove to be the final nail in the coffin of the Bengal Tiger.

All of this brings one to a single rational derivation - do tigers really stand a realistic chance in India? The latest census reports a total figure of around fourteen hundred animals. Nearly two hundred and fifty animals are being killed yearly. So in all probability, at the current rate of extinction, the Royal Bengal Tiger will be lost forever from Indian wilderness in the next decade. Unless of course there is a miraculous turn around in the way that conservation efforts are being run.

Obviously it will continue to be featured in zoos around the world. Acting as a spectacle for the human race. Rewilding projects will be talked about, planned and even possibly undertaken but will certainly be near impossible to conduct on a large scale. If the people of India don't wake up now to save their most sublime asset, they must realize that they will lose it forever in the blink of an eye.

By Omer Ashraf

Residing in the Conifer and Broadleaf forests east of the Amur River, the Siberian Tigers are solitary cats that enjoy a relatively undisturbed ecosystem devoid in large parts of human activity. Occupying huge territories of up to four thousand square miles, these Amur Tigers are often on the move, covering large distances in search of prey in their isolated wilderness. One Siberian Tiger was once recorded to cover over six hundred miles in the space of three weeks in search of food. The great cat hunts a variety of animals including moose, roe deer, sika deer, musk deer and goral, though red deer and wild boar form the bulk of its diet.

Opportunistic predators, the tigers are known to take even rabbits, hares, pikas and fish (usually salmon) at times. The undisputed king of carnivora, the Siberian Tiger spares not even the Great Russian Brown Bear from its predatory activities. The cats pull out the bears while they are hibernating and attack and kill them. At other times, brown bear kills have been recorded in the open, displaying the superiority of the tiger over the bear as the apex predator on land. The Asiatic black bears are not given any respite by a hungry tiger either. The cunning cat is known to imitate black bear sounds to attract and hunt them.

Even resilient pack animals such as wolves have been nearly exterminated by the tigers. A stalk and ambush predator, the Amur Tiger despite its great power still only succeeds in ten to fifteen percent of hunting attempts. The cat prefers to creep up to ten to twenty five meters of the prey animal before rushing and pouncing upon it, moving at speeds of up to 80 km/hr in its charge. Smaller prey animals are killed by a bite on the nape of neck that breaks the vertebrae and severs the spinal cord. Larger game is brought down by a bite on front of the neck that crushes the windpipe and suffocates the prey. Needing around twenty pounds of meat daily to survive in the wild, the tiger can consume about sixty to hundred pounds in one setting. The kill is often cached, usually near a water body and the cat has been known to return to carcasses to complete its feed.

The Siberian Tiger inhabits the Boreal forests in Far Eastern Asia, residing largely in Russia but also reported in China and North Korea. Panthera Tigris Altaica, it is seen largely in the Amur-Ussuri region of Primorsky and Khabarovsky Krai. Its range has shrunk drastically in the past hundred years and is now a mere fraction of its past domain.

The tigers are known to mate at any time during the year. The receptive female advertises her presence by leaving urine and scratch markings on trees. She is in estrus typically for three to seven days during which the pair mates several times. Like all big cats, the courting individuals focus less on hunting during this time and are particularly hostile to any intruders. Up to six cubs are born after a pregnancy lasting between three to three and a half months, though three to four is the average litter size. Blind and helpless they are sheltered in a den by the ever watchful mother who seldom leaves them during the early weeks, going out only for hunting.

The young open their eyes at two weeks and begin to venture outside at around three months. They are weaned off at around six months and begin to accompany their mother at her hunting trips at this age. Small prey is successfully taken down by the cubs at less than one year of age, and large prey at twice that age. They stay with their mother at up until three to five years of age after which they begin to venture and establish their territories and fend for themselves. Males generally move farther away from their realm, making them easier targets for poachers. As a result adult male tigers are outnumbered by females three to one on average. Lifespan is known to be up to twenty five years.

Amur Tigers were freely hunted in the early part of this century, bringing them to near extinction in most territories. In 1947 hunting was outlawed in the former Soviet Union. Still the tiger continued to suffer at the hands of poachers who made heavy profits by selling the body parts to Chinese traditional medicine makers, earning up to fifty thousand dollars with one tiger. The collapse of Soviet Union accompanied with the breakdown of law and order infrastructure had a particularly adverse impact on the tiger population whereby nearly sixty tigers were reputedly killed yearly by poachers in the few years following 1989. In 1992, The Siberian Tiger Project was founded. This marked the beginning of a turn around in the fate of tiger. In 1993, Chinese Government declared the use of tiger parts for medicinal purposes to be illegal.

In the following years, vigilant monitoring and study resulted in the stabilization of tiger numbers in the wild. Regular patrols were undertaken to deter the poachers and individual tigers were studied to better understand the subspecies and reduce its mortality in its natural habitat. Another successful step was launching of Operation Amba in Russia that continues to protect the Siberian Tigers through collaboration of law enforcement agencies and interaction with local people. Its mission is to neutralize tiger traders and attack and eliminate poaching rings. It has been largely successful in seizing many poaching materials and saving a number of tiger cubs. As a result of these tireless efforts of forest rangers and scientists, today the population of Siberian Tigers in the wild is believed to be around five hundred individuals and this is merely the number in Russia. In fact the Siberian Tiger is the only tiger subspecies whose population is believed to be on the increase. The impressive recovery of the Siberian Tiger is often used as a model plan to save other species.