A Concern for The Big Cats

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

Development & Our Attitude : A Trail of Death and Destruction

Albeit it is a necessity to develop infrastructure in the changing times with great emphasis on accommodating rising population and fulfilling the economic goals of people...infrastructure development combined with use and misuse is proving to be a terrible scourge on our wildlife. It is shaping our lives as power-hungry and luxury-seeking aliens that eventually will have to create a glass bubble to survive once the atmospheric equilibrium is completely destroyed or damaged beyond repair.     

Before we extrapolate further few questions arise? 

Why does humanity go against Nature and Environment? Are we aliens?   

Why do humans mistreat wild animals? Do we suffer from an animal phobia?

Why there is always a man-animal conflict?  

Answers to these questions are not difficult to understand but the solutions are difficult to implement because we do not care. In the confrontation between personal greed and sacrifice the former wins heads up. 

Our economic goals override wildlife and environment conservation. The priority of the States follows these norms as well in the grab of economic achievements. There is no signboard that says the buck stops here. 

Machinations surpass rules and regulations, and political infringement leads to a bending of green environmental laws...even the courts are not able to hinder because of same-page thinking (often). To this worst is added our negative outlook and attitude towards all life forms leaving aside the natural resources at our behest squealing for mercy.  When the Earth has been torn apart for greed mining takes place leaving in its wake an agonizing trail of death and destruction of nature nurtured for eons destroyed in a few Universal seconds. The damage to nature is often irreparable a sad story permanently imprinted in the annals of human history on Earth. This gives rise to the question. Are we aliens with total disregard for this extraterrestrial conquest?       

For some tearing apart strips from remaining forests is an economical adjustment while the death of a tiger by accident is a sad story no more. It is not a cause for concern that could lead to amelioration and save precious wildlife...killed by our speed highways. The constant death of wild animals by electrocution and poisoning also ends up as a story for the newsmonger, not a major cause of concern. There is an endless trail of death that is decimating our wilderness painfully slow, yes slow enough to mitigate the concern.  

The recent brutalization of the Gangetic Dolphins is a shameful reflection of our attitude towards other life forms. The brutalization of leopards, sloth bears, and tigers are not newsmakers anymore for it happens...a price for survival in a human-dominated ecosystem. Ironically we readily berate laws that violate minority status but we do not bring into the same purview the status of other life forms in the country. 

Extolling Vedic ethos that values conservation and veneration of life forms is limited to political discourses whenever hustings are near. But so less weight does environmental issues carry in India the discourses are becoming hearsay.   

The decimation of wildlife in India is a cause for a National Discourse in order to lead to factual solutions that are implemented truthfully and sincerely. This discourse never happens because our National priorities differ simply put wildlife conservation is an issue of the least concern. 

So imperative is the need to develop concrete structures for urbanization and to generate wealth through enterprises we are even putting our lives at risk. The complaints of polluted air and climate change are a constant in our lives now. No activities that maintain the continuity of our exploitative lifestyle but are inimical to the environment are considered as harmful anymore. There is no time to stop looking and go. No time for the realization of our wrongdoings in order to keep up with our rabid lifestyle. All it needs is a push and pull to keep fulfilling our greed and justifying our attitude towards other life forms and the environment.       

India does care about the mega species as a National priority through conservation initiatives like Project Tiger and so on. But is this enough holistic conservation ethos and concern for the environment is the public domain. We the people should strive to rectify anomalies in our system as well as in our attitude and values systems. Perhaps we should return to Vedas.    

At present, our value system is of the least concern as far as other life forms are concerned and the environment. We are paying a price, the global rise in temperature, the melting of ice on the poles, pollution, zoonotic disease, and the imminent extinction of many species that will impact our environment for sure.     

Wait till our children grow up, they will certainly lament the neglect for destruction is a daily occurrence now. Hopefully, the next-gen cares about nature and preserves whatever is left!     

===========================

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

             

Conservation: It's Pay Back Time

Our  Earth: A Saga of Exploitation

Not only extensive farming, poaching, wood logging, and hunting have denuded our wilds we conveniently seek to forgive our sins whence it comes to breakneck industrial revolution and urbanization. Like agriculture, large industries and industrial estates scrap off nature from Earth in long strips along with associated urbanization in our towns and cities. 

In the past few centuries, we have hastened the demise of many invaluable ecosystems to alternate them with nonviable human constructs and the process goes on. The developed countries have been quick to extensively exploit natural resources and strip off ecosystems forests, grasslands, and rivers to name a few in order to develop in material terms without digging deep into ramifications. Most countries are stripped of natural lands and they have virtually exterminated their wilderness. But there is no looking back,  and if there is at places it is weak and without commitment. As a consequence, we are facing climate change and species extinction due to the dismembering of remaining ecosystems, pollution, human intrusions, and alternating natural systems to suit our exigencies.             

Earth is supposed to be shared among trillions of life forms thus maintaining an equilibrium so that life sustenance mechanism remains inviolate. Large chunks of ecosystems have been decimated for crops without any circumspection, and industrialization, and urbanization is taking place with haste. We are turning settlements into cement jungles and urban ghettos. 

All we look at is modern infrastructure and the gleaming societies and lifestyles they generate forgetting the dead that lies beneath. The industrial revolution has been a major disaster and caused wars innumerable, social disparities as well as grave harm to the environment. Global warming is an evident phenomenon among even those who are not erudite or aware, and the suffering is taking a toll in terms of health physical and mental.   

It is difficult to hinder this blitzkrieg because dispensations do not bow down and at the most pay lip service to conservation. Maintaining an equilibrium would require some committed steps for preservation even if the infrastructure buildup is halted. We simply cannot regenerate the complex living systems that nature does. This is rabid development is the trend everywhere, and most vicious in overpopulated countries trying to emerge from ongoing poverty without understanding the route they are adopting. As urban ghettos increase poverty will as well for we see life not as sustainable but gauge impoverished societies keeping the yardstick of measure highlighting disparity with those well developed (sic). There is no limit to the demands of humanity, and we will perish if we fulfill them at the cost of nature. Are we going to need artificial glass bubbles with oxygen supplies to survive on Earth in the future?       

To keep industries alive and the economy booming we continue to exploit natural resources which are already dwindling. In economic haste, we are not using the resources in a judicious manner, and are not at all looking for renewable on a war footing. Development is the mantra of disaster and the infrastructure built up in hinterlands in countries like India is a scourge with no mitigation seemingly possible. Rather than judging the economy by scale, we must peep into the environmental disaster we are leaving in the wake. We need to define our basic needs and stick to them.         

Poverty alleviation should not come about through the industrial revolution, it should come by rational use of renewable energy and a paradigm shift in our lifestyles. Too much energy consumption or unprecedented use of natural resources has wreaked havoc on our planet and we need to stem the rot. The major stress factor is not poverty but our excessive consumption of fossil fuels and other natural resources. Controlling the population is wise but there is no such urgency among various countries and demographics. Population control should be imperative, especially in Asia and Africa.         

Time to Pay Back 

We need reforestation, conservation of wildlife, habitat repair, and preservation of the ecosystem that supports them, and to stop the destruction of tropical forests going on on large scale.  We will have to redefine our lifestyle and consumption pattern and wean out what is unsustainable with vigor and commitment.     

We will have to have a methodology in place as far as industrialization and infrastructure build-up is taking place. We will have to draw out sustainable plans and practices which mitigate damage to natural lands.  Yes a lot more has to be done in order to preserve our  Earth and the efforts should come about not only from institutions but we the public as well.  

We can do it, we are successfully saving the tiger and the lion and many other endangered species and India has also preserved good enough ecosystems. There is hope! 

========================

Uday Works as Freelance Naturalist and Blogs on conservation, tigers, environmental issues.

He also provides SEO and Website Contents in English.

He can be contacted at:

Mail: pateluday90@hotmail.com

 Mob: 09755089323

    

The Embattled Tiger

She was beaten to death?

Tiger

Why?

Was she intruding into human settlements, did she injure or kill humans? Or are we intruding into her land? The latter is not probable but the truth - an axiomatic truth without doubt. 

In the parliament,  or at hustings whence serious issues are being battled environment is not an issue at all...or maybe but at an insignificant level. Paying lip service to the conservation of wildlife and saving the environment is a sure-shot act of evasion from being ostracized by the club of those who are aware and the unrelenting media.  

Except for the headlines, I did not bother to read the story. 

This is a story that is happening almost now and then and may continue till the big cats are alive in the wilderness in India. 

Undoubtedly the tiger is the World's most persecuted land-based carnivore. Extensive hunting, poaching, traditional medicines, cosmetics, toiletries, man-animal conflicts, prey base reduction, and now habitat takeover and destruction at the speed of light. Not that these things did not happen before. They did! And that is why this big cat is in a precarious state almost on verge of extinction where ever it now survives. At most of the places on Earth at its former range, it has been exterminated, mercilessly killed as vermin, or kicked out of its home. The dastardly acts continue... 

On Tiger Day the newly collated census will be announced, and the increased numbers will be touted as enhanced conservation but unfortunately, the efforts are mired in a greater number of problems the carnivore is facing than that being highlighted. The epiphany will never point to the population crossing the threshold of the imminent possibility of extinction in India. Because tiger conservation has to be comprehensive in tackling the convergence of wide-scale issues and conflicts that are threatening the species in this country.   

Ours is such a human-centric society and greedy as well that we will continue to exterminate other life forms especially those that take on cudgels with us like the predators...

We also consume wildlife as food and medicine which is putting under stress populations of many beleaguered life forms, especially the aquatic species. This too continues and involved in these illogical farming are some of the most rational countries. TCM is a big scourge and the big cat is the biggest sufferer.  But we have to be aware that the feline parts are in demand in India as medicine and talisman as well but it is much less. People are fond of tiger nails as well which is a threat to the survival of this species...poachers are encouraged due to the demand for these parts. All of us should let go of this malady with immediate effect.     

In India, though great efforts are being made to save the tiger - which also include that of some NGOs. The efforts have been thwarted on regular basis by policy conflict with an emphasis on rapid development and economic pursuits that hinder a rational approach due to these exigencies. Nefarious elements are always a threat to wildlife in any country.  

Enamored as we are with this modern structural empowerment all around us which enable utilization of all modern amenities at our doorstep at the press of a button making natural habitats and environment concerns deep secondary and extremely vulnerable. 

Those at the helm have to sit down and concur on how best we can develop without damaging nature and neglecting environmental concerns. 

The tiger is to blame for the attack on humans a species sacrosanct, and the supreme master of this Earth. That humans are encroaching on its land is of least concern and hardly discussed whence an event like a man killing or lynching of the tiger occurs. 

We are devouring land like we should not, but who cares townships, highways, and factories are essential components of our society. Protest could result in repercussions of the worst kind. Even though it is apparent that man-made leaps on Earth cannot be prevented yet we can mitigate the harm we are causing to nature and its vital components that can save the tiger for eternity.  

We have moved forward far from treating wild animals as vermin we actually conserve them...do we? Killing tigers and other wild forms as a remedy for the safety of humans is not conservation. Do we dwell deep into the contingency that prevails in our society? Have we found the answer to sporadic poaching, forced incursions into human habitations, electrocution of animals, habitat destruction which is shamefully reoccurring, or wood logging going unnoticed at many places in India? 

Are we serious about tiger conservation or.....? 

We are a savage civilization but do not appear so, morphed perhaps by modern appendages and a mannerism that is broad-scale deceptive. We know very well that we are dependent upon the offerings of nature and the equilibrium in the Earthly environment...and yet we choose to neglect the vital components like the tiger that nature is desperately trying to retain. 

Nature is a chain of things indelibly linked to each other, a fragile web that is giving away, thanks to our rabid incursions...as a result, global warming-related climate change is taking place. What about extreme water shortages in many places? Are we concerned? Need we pay a greater price. We will because we are refusing to mend our ways.   

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Uday is a naturalist and writes on tiger conservation and the environment:
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
9755089323

Tiger Conservation - Urbanization The Deadly Menace

Minimizing Destruction of Our Natural Lands

It keeps spreading its tentacles all around, and you cannot blame anyone except us. You cannot blame the politicians, planners, and developers. Anyway, they do not plan they just fulfill. It is we who have multiplied like rats and taken over our natural lands which the Earth had nourished for centuries right from the day evolution came into the picture.

Skyscrapers

Traffic congestion

People who read history of civilizations know that towns and cities will come and go but now in their wake they will leave back ravaged lands that may take eons to recover. In order to settle thousands of families, cities, towns, villages keep on spreading without planning and with total disregard for nature. A builder least admires an eco-niche in the neighbourhood nor does he feel guilty of placing concrete structures over them stifling microcosm of life forever. In fact we are so impressed by concrete structures that we concrete everything around us even natural gardens, wild bushes, small jungles, beautiful lakes and ponds where in lot of organisms and avian life depends upon the natural embankments and depth as well. 

Our eyes glow brightly when we see magnificent edifices the concrete structures embracing our towns and cities. That is development! (Sic). When the structures start to decay we continue living there, a stoic and helpless attitude that we have developed as a matter of consequence.

Cities are rotting, there is water shortage, dirt, smog, and pollution living conditions are like hell. Deadly pollution thanks to smoke-belching industries, cars uncountable, congestion, drying lakes and water bodies polluted to the brim, and overall the looming climate change ...there you have it! Slowly you come to understand what is unplanned development that damages the environment and invites disease, mental disorder, and more.

The ill-planned overwhelming urbanization is taking over the remaining natural lands in all settlements now from metros to even small towns. The latter come under the scanner of infrastructure development in the forms of rail lines, highways, and dams. This affects wildlife and can be disastrous for endangered species like the tiger, lion, and elephant to mention a few.

Tiger

Grasslands + Forests

The sharp reduction in the number of tigers in India has been mainly due to the loss of habitat. Tigers need specialized habitats that only dense forests containing untouched wilderness can offer. Unfortunately in India forests have been converted to agricultural fields, and industrial belts, ravaged by mines, and now urbanization is creeping into even small places auguring a dark future. If we do not reduce our carbon footprints global warming can become serious and sustenance of life may not be possible. Hence we humans are also at risk and perhaps face extinction too?

Where will the buck stop nobody knows? Man-animal conflicts, extinction of species, water shortages due to the destruction of rivers, and due to climate change all are a result of man's total disregard for nature conservation.

We should consider the destruction of nature as an impending disaster, and accord importance to its preservation. In governance this should be a major issue there should be debates and discussions on this. But this does not happen people are not aware or simply do not care, and politicians take advantage and do not take environmental issues into consideration except accord some lip service.

What future awaits our gen next? What about climate change knocking at our doorsteps? What are we doing to minimize fossil fuel consumption? What are we doing to stop the production of pollutants, toxins, and hazardous chemicals? All this should be taken into account during the political discourse? Is it being done? Ask yourself, write or raise your voice before it is too late.

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Uday works as a naturalist in India and blogs on environmental and conservation issues.
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com

Tiger Conservation The Human Conundrum

This period of April and May were months of extreme upheaval in India as the nation was embroiled in a contentious parliamentary poll. The largest democracy naturally conducts the largest exercise at the hustings. The highlight of parliamentary elections in the country was of course the virulent campaigns that began and ended with unending fervor. The aftermath ended in a reverberating but gradually quietening atmosphere as the results were declared and winners took their seats.

For all political parties in India the propaganda revolves around many populist issues, but completely neglects the conservation and environmental issues though as a matter of principle they are ingrained in our policies albeit executed with scant regard.

The first to inculcate the order of nature and wildlife conservation in India where the Vedic literature, but we have conveniently forgotten them, the scientific journals have been relegated to the background as forgotten and inconsequential parts of our history.

The conservation ethos were carried forward by Asoka the Great, and after centuries of continuous destruction, we had a leader in Smt. Indira Gandhi rejuvenated conservation practices by inducting laws that mattered. The tiger and the ecosystem as a whole were the major beneficiaries of steps taken during her governance. Her zealous pursuit of protecting India's heritage was effective in conserving whatever was left. But after her sad demise no one stepped into her shoes. 

In midst of the mind-boggling exercise, one issue as always took a complete back seat for nowhere was there a mention of environment and nature in a country where multitudinous masses live. All through the campaigning, there was the worst kind of slander that included personal jibes, insults, and revelations all at the lowest level possible.

Forget about the environment and our remaining natural heritage no issues of serious nature were ever brought forth or discussed. That is how the prospects irrespective of their drawing treat their subjects - gullible, downtrodden, ignorant, and living in the stone age. The appeal for the vote is more of a tamasha, steeped in loud promises of piquant favors, charismatic chest-thumping, and yes development.   

After the hustings, all promises are forgotten except the development mantra which all parties think will offer a permanent majority in the parliament for decades. All the time the mantra of development was aimed at more than one billion people a promise if rightly fulfilled could lead to betterment of living conditions and emancipation from abject poverty the large populace is steeped in.   

The goggle-eyed voters could understand the mantra of development very well but the related issues were not even in the picture. The emancipation that was promised was all that mattered - a panacea for all that ails society.

Where would the succor come from with deteriorating climatic conditions, abject shortage of water, and a badly polluted environment without the proper mix of air? The water shortage is a serious matter that should concern one and all especially those at the helm of governance.

We are constantly hurting our ecosystems (rivers, forests, deserts, grasslands) that deliver clean and fresh air, large tracts of forests are being decimated for linear development for highways, settlements and infrastructure expansion. Mining woes are not being mitigated at all. Environmental clearances are taking place in a jiffy with no serious thought to impending disasters, industrial belts and deadly polluting mega industries are taking their toll in this country with ever-increasing haste.

Species endangerment is taking place in the blink of an eye. A large number of species have already been lost. Does all this not matter? Aren't the participants of the democratic process the citizens not entitled to enlightenment as to what safeguards are being put in place that would prevent further depredation. Should not they be revealed during the poll propaganda? Who bothers? 

Human-centric development has always been the core practice of ruling polities with abject disregard for nature. This has been a global phenomenon and cuts across the vast spectrum of political establishments everywhere. India is not alone in this disastrous way of governance, we are in tandem with the World.

But ironically this does not alarm us. Nature is our life support system but we have taken it for granted. A denuded patch of forest does not raise eyebrows as it should hence climate change in its worst form is imminent.

A radical shift has to take place among the rulers as to how development and urbanization should be carried out. All the hindrances which are genuine should be respected and alternatives found. You cannot write off a strip of forest just to aid a highway or an industrial area. But this is happening and slowly we are destroying our green lungs and precious habitats which will augur climate change to the extreme.

The effect of our haste will result in an environmental condition that would make species survival  (including man) extremely difficult. The tiger has been the worst sufferer being an indicator species sitting at the top of the food chain we cannot let it go. Proper development policies without damaging the ecosystems, and keeping in mind the environmental consequences are imperative we should change over to.

For every step we take towards so-called development we have to keep its impact on nature all the time. The institutions in India will play a major role in safeguarding our environment in times to come. Provided there is the necessary radical shift in our perspective and a less destructive paradigm sets in. 

The public should play an important role as a watchdog and be conscious about social ills like exponential population growth which has to be brought down. Not only as tourists, but we should also reduce the biotic pressures on our surroundings in day-to-day living with a responsible lifestyle.

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Uday works as a naturalist at Kanha National Park in India.
He often writes on conservation issues as a blogger.
He can be contacted:
pateluday90@hotmail.com
09755089323

Tiger Conservation: It is Development That Counts

Environmental Overview

India is on the threshold of becoming an economically developed Nation on Earth. One among the few who rule the Earth. The sordid saga of a reckless developmental spree of those already at the helm is narrated without mentioning the large-scale damage done to the local environment and the plundering of crucial natural resources embedded in Mother Earth.

Development in terms of economy and infrastructure is the yardstick that denotes the success of ruling dispensations in India and elsewhere. In the country, the narrative is on the upswing with most of the discussion centered around growth and development.

Do we state the growth indices without keeping an eye on the amount of destruction we are causing? A highly developed India could burden the coming generations to clear the environmental debt that we leave in the wake. Should not we be concerned? 

Development is imperative but not without paying heed to environmental concerns some of which may appear trivial but could have a major negative impact in time to come.

In India, the worry lies in the large-scale destruction of our remaining natural lands and ill-conceived usage of our natural resources.

India is a signatory to the Convention of Biological Diversity a multilateral treaty for the preservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of resources, and sharing of genetic resources in a fair and equitable manner.

Another landmark that was legislated in the year nineteen seventy-two was the Wildlife Protection Act. The creation of protected areas was within the purview of this Act...and so home and protection were accorded to all life forms in the country. The 1988 Forest Policy lays a strong focus on conservation while other acts for Environment Protection were passed in the year 1986 and subsequently the Foreign Act 1992 for regulating International trade in biodiversity elements.   

The country has a number of regulatory bodies that govern actions that oversee future implications of ongoing or planned processes.  The Hon. Supreme Court of India plays an active role in environmental issues by presenting its own interpretation and hence through its directives it influences policies that contain environmental concerns. The aim of the highest courts through intervention in governance area is to redress the failures of the Government and other regulatory bodies in discharging their Constitutional and statutory obligations. There are proponents and critics as regards Hon. Supreme Court's interjection in these matters but albeit this is an entirely different matter the court's interjection is seen in a positive light by many.   

It should be noted that a large number of PILs regarding myriads of environmental issues have been filed by NGOs and individuals thus exhibiting faith in the judiciary as a whole

The Government Ministry MOEF

Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change is panned India mother of all institutions that are concerned with the environment, forests, and climate change. It is the prime body that issues statutory orders in case of environmental clearances hence is the most important element that could impact the environment and associated wilderness in multiple ways. 

It is responsible for providing clearances and impact assessment, as well it governs the National Parks of India. It oversees forest policies and programs implemented in the country. It is also a nodal agency for many International conventions and programs affecting India.  The Ministry has multifarious roles but the crux of bringing this into the picture is that it can bar or give a go-ahead to the controversial exploitation of resources through mining, exploitation, and development of remaining natural lands and related issues.

In short MOEF a ministerial body is the face of the ruling dispensation, obviously, through MOEF it can accord direction to actions concerning our environment conservation strategy.

Our Concerns & The Tiger & Human Centric Policies 

The concern that dominates the conservation circles is a quick appraisal of permission granted for mining, land acquisition for developmental projects, dissecting habitats like forests for roads, and other related projects.

This is the crux of conservation practices in India wherein policies that disregard environmental concerns can be hastened through to promote perceived developmental and infrastructure benefits. In many instances whence development projects are seen as imperative clearances are granted without a second thought. Concerns for habitats and the consecutive impact on prevailing ecosystems take a back seat.     

It required that governance should be very cautious towards activities that degrade crucial habitats and eventually are environmental hazards. These habitats support ecosystems or the complex web of life of the critically endangered species Bengal tiger as well as other life forms struggling to survive in the country. This also means the imperatives are looked into from the perspective of the highest offices in India. For developmental projects alternatives present should come into the picture.

Shortage of space for endangered species like tigers is obvious and land use patterns should be looked into. A large chunk of forest, grassland, and river habitats have been lost to reckless ventures into agriculture in earlier times. More productive agrarian practices should be developed and encouraged which utilize fewer expanses of land. This also applies to industrial practices and rapidly expanding settlements, especially in our urban areas.   

It is quite a matter of concern that an increase in the tiger population would also require an increase in inviolate protected areas if we have to preserve the animal that is a matter of our National Pride. This calls for equitable and fair translocation policies. Since certain areas will be required to clear human habitations in order to reduce man-animal conflict (elephant migration) and accord home to locally endangered species. (Similarly, the Lion should be trans-located to suitable habitats which have been developed in recent times.)

Tiger: Pic Uday Patel 

The Great Mahatma 

When Mahatma Gandhi conceived of Ram Rajya he was not being rightist or denying secular credentials as many construed.  With an emphasis on nonviolence and the cottage industry he certainly had an approach toward development that would be been highly concerned about environmental issues. That would have meant a paradigm shift from the Western Style of development we are recklessly emulating.

Perhaps he could have found answers to our woes? He was down to Earth, simple, and would not have been influenced by the vote banks of India. 

Food Chain - Biotic/Abiotic Components & Tigers

Understanding Ecosystem in Tiger Landscapes 

The article's emphasis is on tigers surviving outside the protected areas in India. This is more of a simplification of the biotic components that prevail in an area highly stressed by human and livestock use.    

To understand this phenomenon we have to first understand the food chain in its simplest form. The food chain is best explained using a pyramid. 

How the creation and transfer of energy take place.  

1) At the lowest level are the autotrophs the living beings that use abiotic elements like sunlight, soil, water, and Co2 in order to produce energy. These are also called producers. Examples are plants, grass, herbs, shrubs, some microorganisms, and trees.   

2) Consumers or primary consumers subsist on the autotrophs so as to enable the transfer of energy. Herbivores are an example. Deer, Wild Ox, Bison, Elephants, Primates, and so on.    

3) Secondary Consumers are small predators and omnivorous creatures who subsist on primary consumers. Examples are foxes, jackals, wild dogs, raptors, etc. 

4) Tertiary Consumers are large predators which subsist on primary consumers and to some extent on secondary consumers.   Like Tigers, Lions, Cheetahs & Leopards, some bears, etc. These are also known as Apex predators, Normally these are designated as indicator species since their presence is a sign of a healthy ecosystem.    

5) Decomposers or scavengers feed on dead organisms they are small predators, hyenas, vultures, eagles, corvids, bacteria, and so on. 

Each layer from 2nd stage acts as a population control mechanism, in order to maintain an equilibrium in the environment. All components are instrumental in maintaining humidity/moisture and the composition of gases. Hence tigers are major control elements, and as top predators, they are indicators of a healthy ecosystem. I think this should justify conservation to all minds, Further understanding should arise by reading literature from acclaimed field biologists, conservationists, etc.    

When the tiger habitats contain a perfect ecosystem, the animal's survival is assured...in presence of protection from nefarious human activities like poaching. Land grab is another major threat to ecosystems all over. Niche habitats are destroyed by expanding human settlements, industrialization, and agriculture. We have lost large tracts of grasslands, marshlands, estuaries, rivers, marine ecosystems, and forests...all on a massive scale.    

In areas outside the critical tiger habitats, multiple pressure arises from agricultural practices, human habitation, livestock, and waste including toxic chemicals. The latter is a result of the widespread use of toiletries, fertilizers, and pesticides. Fumes emanating from vehicles, cooking, and noise pollution also contribute to damage to some extent. 

Livestock competes with natural inhabitants for vegetable matters and is instrumental in damaging the fragile ecosystem. They have been seen to easily outnumber the natural consumers reducing the prey base for predators including the tigers. In most of the buffer areas of our NPs the big cats are dependent on cattle and other livestock.  Besides conflict with man, they are susceptible to contagious diseases.

Tree felling in order to feed livestock is another practice that reduces the canopy. Denuded land is easily subject to loss of topsoil, and proliferation by weeds like parthenium or carrot grass and lantana.  As a result, altered weather can inhibit the breeding of tigers along with a reduced prey base. 

Another reason for denudation is our dependency on wood for energy, furniture, and construction.  In the past, clear felling was resorted for commercial logging resulting in wide-scale denudation as done by agricultural practices. Mining has the same impact as the latter besides contributing to hazardous environmental pollution.  

Hence we depend on tigers as well as all life forms for our survival plus not forgetting the purity of abiotic elements.  

Lack of planning has resulted in the indiscriminate use of our land and not leaving the niche habitats inviolate. As we aim for high economic growth further pressure is created. PAs are good examples of wise land use but we need this on a larger scale to preserve all that we can.   

Humans should minimize land use and let the Earth flourish. 

This article is in order to create an impressive group of thinkers, nature lovers, and environmentalists. A large voice/pressure group would mean the implementation of better policies that would save critically endangered species like the tiger in India and elsewhere.     

Does Rise in GDP Absolves us of Environmental Hara-Kiri?

The ongoing destruction of natural places in lieu of development is at the behest of environmental concerns in India. We have already lost large tracts of forests and grasslands to human settlements thanks to burgeoning human populations. Clear felling was another blow that did further damage in earlier times.  

In present times managing our environment is a prerogative of the ruling class. Our policies are populist and marred by ever-growing human needs and concerns. Nature does not understand human inadequacies; it is sensitive, fragile, and perishable.  The long-term consequences of destroying the remaining ecosystems in the country are foreseeable. The unstable climate and plunging health indices are warning us to awaken before it is too late.   

A species lost is lost forever. The sad state of the tiger is an indicator of our environmental health not only that of the ecosystem that it is limited to.  The increase in the population of lions in Gujarat is nothing to be proud of in absence of requisite habitat. The World is losing a huge number of species along with large tracts of precious forests with each passing day.  This should act as an eye-opener for us in India.    

Uncontrolled mining and uncontrolled use of natural resources will certainly lead to disastrous consequences, and its effects could be felt by generations. This is much after the short-term benefit of the materials has come to an end. 

The greenhouse effect and the unstable climate in recent time is as a result of a sum total of our negative approach toward the conservation of nature. Cities reeling under choking smog and pathetic living spaces are a perfect example of resources being over overburdened.  

Economic growth is of utmost importance to the Nation of 1.25 billion people. But that does not negate environmental concerns and absolve us of committing hara-kiri.             

A letter to the Tiger

Tiger By Peter Jones

Tiger Sir!

First of all beg pardon for what we humans have done to you and your home land.

Sitting at the apex of the pyramid or food chain. You encompass the whole ecosystem animals, birds, insects, everything. You have secured water for all, you have preserved natural vegetation - flora and fauna and as a result the whole environment - by following the rules of nature. Thank YOU. 

It is a shame that we have overtaken almost whole of the land and set you in small pocket. In India your Kingdom is reduced to barely one percent of the land - rest ruthlessly over taken by us. Even in that land we call protected areas there are fierce battles going on for access, manipulated by acts, this right and that right. These steps show no concern for other life forms...it is human first and that will remain... of course unfortunately you nor other wild denizens have learned to vote and join the mainstream. 

You are trying to give us back our natural environment and a better life for future generation. But it appears it is a battle in vain. We believe in a political system where human urgency dominates. We believe in and economy where you do not stand a chance ...psst neither I do.  We believe that we can err and be pardoned, but you cannot in spite of your behavior being gentlemanly to the core.      

We are a selfish and believe in only one life form that is US. I know and you know that it is a loosing battle. But while making your last stand you must remember that there are many who fought for you and are still fighting so that you survive in natural environment for eternity.

I met you this year in Corbett and Kanha this year.... you are so secretive many times we fail in discovering your way about.  You were as majestic as ever but I wanted to tell you that do not stand a chance. Hide in your den please. First it was the hunters than more vicious poachers who sell your parts to medicine makers in China and other Asian country's. You cannot change your stripes for some rich and ignorant people love to wear coat made out of your fur.

Tiger Tourism has increased your value one way or other. People come from far and near to have a glimpse of you. Is this not ironical, since we continue with our destructive way of life and have failed to protect you.

You are sometimes disturbed by us, but let me tell you many people realize nature conservation once they see you. Anyway you have known us for centuries.  Nothing survives in Human dominated World till it gains importance and value... you better learn. You have to increase your value by your charismatic appeal and the role you play on Earth.  Whatever Way!

All I can say further is that your well wishers wish to see you on Earth for eternity.   

warm regards 
Uday Patel