The root causes of the threat to big cat conservation in India are multifarious. Nevertheless, the picture is not as gloomy with some fantastic conservation successes. But the doomsday still looms large in spite of favorable policies and legislation being implemented. The frequent instances of poaching, accidents, and habitat loss state that much more has to be done.
India is a vastly diverse country with a considerable amount of freedom whatever the detractors and few others opine. There are expressed and practiced a lot of diverse views within the framework of the constitution which is good for democracy. There are few of those with extraterrestrial loyalty and stance that opposes whatever the country stands for - they are surviving anyway. In tiger conservation they are inconsequential but a big threat to the Nation as a whole.
But overzealous, power-hungry politicians are not left out of the purview since they oppose even those policies which are productive and beneficial. Hunger for power, corruption and fanatical opposition of those in the prevailing dispensation is the reason. Some undue power practices in the country impact all aspects of management including conservation.
But as far as the tiger is considered there needs to be an aggressive unified stance for its protection and conservation. Right from the beginning of the onslaught, the beleaguered predator has been the victim of human apathy. It has not so far faced any extensive biological threat from inbreeding, pathogens or disease affliction of various orders. The threat is from within. It is how we manage our environment to a large extent and the land use patterns adopted for a country slated for fast pace development modeled upon that adopted by the developed Nations. Huge Dams and Mega Projects that impact the environment are doubtful implementations that may impact water resources and forests our green lungs. In most cases, the ecological cost of mega infrastructures has not been taken into account?
With a huge population to feed, and an economy always under stress managing species conservation and ecosystems is at crossroads. The system is further stressed whence the question of saving species arises which in the near perspective appears inconsequential to many.
The stress upon development in terms of infrastructure is immense...and the industrial upswing due to cheap labor is inevitable. The environment is further vitiated by rapid urbanization taking place often at the cost of natural places with microecology. This is giving rise to a conflict that accords little room for species conservation and preservation of ecosystems already decimated to a large extent. Man-animal conflict is widespread prevailing for example.
Another threat the animal faces is the populist nature of democracy with great emphasis on appeasement for political gains. This leaves little room for endangered species, especially in the corridors of the safe heavens. The legal provisions and law and order practices are at best compromising. With large settlements and agrarian pressure further undermined by political expediency and populism, the threat perception is not chimerical at all. In spite of the increasing population with a core of the tiger reserves and expansion of viable habitats, the danger persists to its survival in India. The cards fall in favor of humans and neglect other life forms. We live in a human-dominated World with policies disparately favoring us at the cost of other forms of life and precious natural resources.
There are people in politics, the bureaucracy some NGOs and many in public who care hoots for saving the big cats.
Although the creation of Protected Areas and enactment of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 have been milestones in stemming the rot that had set in during the Raj, and to some extent, in the post-independence era, nothing consequential has happened in later days that expresses deep concern for our wilderness.
The frequent instance of poaching with weak legal implications organized trade in wild animal parts, and frequent infringement of habitats outside the core of the PAs need immediate redress. These anomalies are further accentuated by forest clearance due to firewood demand, and increasing land for industries, agriculture, and settlement.
Paradoxically the system appears to be focused more on tiger tourism which is benign under the watch, generates revenue and powers local economies.
A consensus between the field biologists, wildlife managers, bureaucrats, and those in power is needed as imperative. Sound policies for inviolate premises and efforts to save habitats outside the reserves is need of the hour. This should begin with stemming urbanization and controlling commercialization in the immediate confines of the PAs. Greater stress should be placed on eco-friendly tourism infrastructure and livelihood initiatives around critical tiger habitats.
The PAs at the moment are islands for conservation, but with the constant threat of inbreeding and increasing populations, the creation of viable corridors is a must. Few in power would wager since it would call for large-scale translocation of human settlements. Macro solutions are the need of the hour, and this should happen if we wish to save the tiger in India.
Although successive Governments have kept an eye on the conservation of our National Animal initiatives much bolder steps are required. There is no shortage of expert wildlife managers in India to guide the process. A greater political will and public participation or rather an encouragement is required. Jai Hind!
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Uday Works as Freelance Naturalist and Blogs on conservation, tigers, and environmental issues.
He also provides SEO and Website Content in English. He teaches Digital Marketing in Jabalpur in the summer.
He can be contacted at:
Mail: pateluday90@hotmail.com
Mob: 09755089323
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