In 2007 I had an opportunity to visit the Parambikulam Wildlife sanctuary, Palakkad district of Kerala as part of a natural camp. We had a detailed study about the forest and animal’s there. Four trips were conducted to different parts of the sanctuary which helped us to have a close watch of the nature. We saw many tiger tracks, where the animal had scratched the ground. We were informed that there are above 20 tigers in the sanctuary and soon it will become a tiger reserve. After the trip, I had always an attention to news from Parambikulam sanctuary.
Recently Parambikulam was named as a tiger reserve. Then I noticed an ad on TV, where cricketer M.S.Dhoni, appearing for the ‘save our tigers’ campaign-a joint initiative of WWF India and a telecom company, with a caption –“just 1411 left”. These facts lead me to look upon the tiger population of India.
Our National animal is fighting for its survival. During British raj Tiger hunting was a Royal sport. Then the poachers came for its hide and claws. The adverse effects of modernization also added upon the animal’s bad luck.
At the break of 20th century, there was around 40,000-45,000 tigers in India. But when the first census was conducted in 1972, the number was just 1827.This lead to the launching of the conservation venture ‘Project Tiger’. It was started in 1973-74 aiming tiger conservation in specially constituted 'tiger reserves’. Presently there are 39 tiger reserves across the country, but the tiger population is just 1411(2008 census).The project had a positive result at the beginning, as it is to be noted that, in 1990 number of tigers was around 3500.But now, even tiger reserves, like Sariska (Rajasthan) and Panna (Madhya Pradesh) has no tigers. Many of the tiger reserves have only low population. These factors give a clear picture of the danger faced by our National Animal.
We can note down the reasons for decline, Poaching, depletion of habitat due to deforestation, pollution, decline of food supply and many more. But these were noted before each project. And what happened to the conservation programmes, which spent crores of rupees. The authorities were not even able to check, poaching and smuggling of tiger parts. Tiger hide, claws, etc., has high demand abroad, especially in China, where a controversial bill, which legalizes Tiger trade, is to be brought soon. The corrupting officers had also added up to the misery of big cat.
Growing population and various development projects had caused the decline of habitat for tigers. Also polluted nature and lack of food had a serious effect. It is to be noted that in 2009, 86 tiger deaths were reported and this year, so far it is 12.This may be mainly due to above reasons. These all matters are pointing to the failure of conservation programmes, which became just another source of corruption.
Now the time has come, to act. A cry to save tiger is coming up from various corners. And this cry should be attended with immediate action. Serious measures can only save our tigers. People who love nature and animals should come forward. Another project or another committee is not an answer to this. This only needs a combined force for action-a Tiger action force.
What happened to the National Game should not happen to the National Animal. So, kindly please join your hands for our tigers. Else we will have nothing left, as our national symbols……
Useful links
www.saveourtigers.com , homepage of save our tigers campaign.
www.wwfindia.org , WWF India home page.
www.projecttiger.nic.in , know more about ‘Project Tiger’.
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