While tiger numbers are on the increase, it is difficult to believe that the common leopard in India is thriving. Pick up any newspaper and watch the news on the Internet and the impact of man-animal conflict will become evident. Some news sources did mention an increase of leopards in some states of India, but this is difficult to digest since it is well known that the predator suffers tremendously from man-animal conflicts pan India. This is a global story but since the Indian Government is more conscious of wilderness, the situation calls for greater awareness as there is hope that the tables could be reversed.
The leopard's ability to survive is much greater as unlike the bigger cousin it is able to thrive in degraded habitats unfortunately some of which are quite near human habitations. Another habit that impacts the leopard's survival is its ability to survive on the small game which fetches it further close to human habitation. Once the animals are detected there is very little chance of survival and unfortunately, this happens often.
How merciless we are whence our threat perception is enhanced!
Since independence, leaving a few decades, the dispensations have shown greater concern for wildlife conservation. It was none other than Smt. Indira Gandhi as a Prime Minister turned the table against the criminal slaughter of wild animals including the tiger. An impending disaster was averted due to the commitment towards heritage wealth by the courageous lady.
The legislation guaranteeing the protection of wild animals was a landmark conservation initiative. This was in 1972, and the subsequent creation of protected areas was another watershed in environmental protection in India. Though greater initiatives cropped up post-creation of PAs, it cannot be denied that there is someplace and concern for other life forms in the country.
There is no such thing as absolute neglect in our country as seen in many other civilizations. But the imperatives exceed the will and the capabilities, nevertheless, there is no giving up on expectations and something good can turn up in this land of Vedas in the future. It is the common citizens that create a Nation and sustained efforts should be made to protect our resources and the environment.
Post the legislation the tigers and leopards slaughtered to near extinction got a reprieve and so did other animals facing certain extinction. The protected areas which hold the tiger are called tiger reserves in India they have proven to the saviors.
But is this enough?
The PAs have nurtured life, they have protected the ecosystems, and conserved endangered species and the environment as a whole. They also project a realistic picture of how hopeless the human species is regarding protecting natural resources and the environment without the help of rules and regulations. Species extinction and climate change are major causes of concern, and many other issues will erupt if we continue to wreak havoc. The greatest fear is the advancing urbanization that we consider as a panacea for all that ails human society.
Though most of the reserves are able to accord protection to the species and improve breeding, they are isolated in absence of connecting corridors and not able to prevent inbreeding. The greater dilemma stems from an inability to increase the vital core area since there is a substantial upheaval both socio-political and economic.
Tigers and leopards need greater space, and we are unable to accord them as of now. The constricted safe zones are unable to support a greater source population that is moving into the sink or buffer zones. Though the outer rings are subject to some conservation initiatives they are unable to thwart human movement including the biotic pressure created by farming and livestock.
There is a greater propensity among locals to poach or hunt big cats, this cannot be denied, this could be due to greater reach and the old habit of hunting for meat. But the buck does not stop here, the gains from poaching are quite evident now and there are networks that are able to entice locals into the nefarious acts. The indulgence is propelled by offering a quick buck and is not driven due to poverty since most of the local communities have access to better resources.
There are thus some issues concerning the big cats that are affecting their survival and these are macro economical in nature and there is little hope from advanced research being carried out in our labs. Until substantial areas are not completely cleared for wilderness in the reserves in the country, we will never be able to safely hold a greater population of big cats and they will remain endangered.
Clearing land of the human population besides that which has been already vacated is not an insurmountable task provided a remedial course is effectively planned for the oustees. This is where issues will crop up regarding the very morale of the translocation exercise and those raising the issues will be the politicians and some NGOs. These are vested interests who seek recourse in the status quo and their imagination is limited. Translocation of wild animals is okay but that of humans is not. Whereas this attitude is human-centric the crux of the problem is not the oustees, the next-gen will anyway seek better hunting grounds and be in the mainstream. Though translocation is being carried out in many reserves, I am talking about exercise taking place in the sink areas. Simply put convert buffer zones into the inviolate core.
An effective compensation package for those subject to translocation and their placement in more productive grounds is imperative. The latter is important for tribal and forest dwellers to find better economic opportunities and access to fulfilling the social objectives of the next-gen. This is an expensive proposition but then we are in an endeavor to save a critically endangered species which is not only a matter of National Pride but an equally important species as regards environmental concern.
Though enhancing the core is wishful thinking as of now, greater effort should be made to reduce biotic pressure and commercial activities in the forested regions. The environmentally damaging commercial enterprise and infrastructure development should be banned in areas that comprise our natural wealth. The only enterprise that is sustainable and supports local economies should be permitted in eco sensitive regions.
Improving community infrastructure in terms of accessibility, education, health, and local eco-friendly enterprises should be the focus of the dispensations rather than damaging industries and infrastructure build-up. Public-private participation should not be limited to tourism, it should be encouraged to push the cottage industry using effective marketing channels online.
Despite all community initiatives aimed at local populations and protecting wilderness, the dearth of space for other life forms will remain a major concern in times to come.
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Uday freelances as a naturalist and loves to write about tiger conservation and the environment.
He also provides SEO and Content and teaches Digital Marketing in his hometown Jabalpur.
Contact:
pateluday90@hotmail.com
9755089323
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