Kids For Tigers A Conservation Initiative

Catch them young! 

Kids for Tigers Sanctuary Asia

The program aims at creating awareness and love for nature amongst the growing children in a holistic manner with the critically endangered tiger in focus. In an ambiance stifled by disastrous policies and equally disastrous road map for development, it is crucial to give birth to future statesmen, bureaucrats, politicians, opinion makers, and all else who will govern this country in time to come and shape policies that would preserve, regulate and enhance environmental aspects favorably. This conservation initiative is a commendable effort by Sanctuary Asia and editor/publisher (conservationist) Bittu Sahgal.

India today is at crossroads entangled by issues that will have a pronounced futuristic impact on our environment. Lethargy, ineptitude, clear-cut disregard, and a hasty and unplanned approach to development that does not seem to be India-specific is having a telling effect. 

The present generation's attitude is, by all means, rapacious where the greed, the urgent populist developmental approach would destroy our natural lands and rivers further - the crucial sources of fresh air, clean water, and healthy food.    

Human-Centric Approach - Absolute Disregard for Nature or Other Life Forms

Conservation today is a crusade to save whatever remains. It is not a one-up mechanism or anti-establishment or an elitist ideologue - it is a practical approach to how we shape our Earth by our activities.   

In the contemporary era, we have ravaged forests, occupied grasslands, damaged desert ecology, and junked mountains and streams, and the dismal state of our rivers is not hidden by any means. A large number of species have become extinct and an equally large number of species are facing imminent extinction. The fossil fuels are eroding our protective outer layers and Co2 emissions are sounding the death knell. 

Why Bother?

Well if climate change does not augur an alarm then further degradation will be bound to have a greater impact on our lives - negative. Our coming generations will pay the price since the negative environmental impact has not been instantaneous to cause an alarm. Nature fights back to equalize and hence the impact of wrongdoings may be excruciatingly slow due to the tug of war. This deceives us into thinking that all we are doing is right.         

In an overpopulated country like India aiming to be a leader in economic pursuits, the pressure on natural resources is very much evident.  Over the graveyards of our ecosystems, we are building four-lane highways, ever-expanding settlements, airports, malls, factories, recreational centers, etc, and all at reckless speed.

We want to create a grandeur that far outdoes cities in the developed World.  In the process we fail to realize the environmental havoc we are giving birth to, we fail to realize the sudden upsurge of deadly and crippling diseases, the rise of disabilities, and an overall increase in mortality due to negative environmental factors that we have created in the rush. We fail to realize the social and economic disparities, religious extremism, rising crime, and deadly violence because we have moved away from nature. All we see is the materialistic elements around us and we wish for more and more, the hunger will never be satiated.         

Much in need of circumspection, the path to development is raking havoc as forests are being dissected for highways, pathways, and whatnot.  The rivers are facing unprecedented pollution from industrial effluents and mega dams, linking, and diversions that could inundate crucial ecosystems, and endanger vulnerable species that are unable to withstand the unnatural ecological impacts. Our mining activities are nothing but disastrous as large chunks of land go infertile and completely ravaged. Our industrial belts are spewing venom unchecked and the expanding urbanity is engulfing the remaining wilderness. We have moved away from the Vedas! 

All this negativity requires thought sincerity and planning before we rush into things. And if we adults have failed or are overpowered by short sight or greed disaster awaits. 

The kids for tigers program tends to shape vision among the young with its recreational educational outreach to inculcate better values and sensitize the coming generation about nature. Hundreds of schools have participated in this program through film shows, lectures, audiovisuals and nature outings, etc. This is a wonderful outreach for making a better tomorrow for India and its tigers which are dependent upon us to preserve their ecosystems.   

I have conducted slide shows/lectures in over forty schools and the enthusiasm among the children and school teachers has been palpable and encouraging.   

Facebook Page of Kids for Tigers 

Tiger Conservation - Water Woes - Community Initiative

On safari at the buffer zone in Kanha, we realized that there was hardly any source of water. The summer had peaked and most of the rivulets had dried down completely. Thus the trip was a partial success except for the sighting of four-horned antelope pair, a Nilgai female, and a few spotted deer we could see nothing. The jungle was dry and barren the sole reservoir was completely empty.  Bird life is always good here but not in the late evening!  

Through many of the buffer zone roads, local human traffic continues unchecked. Albeit this is the recourse according to the locals since they have always been using these pathways the problem of intrusion persists.

In most of the buffer areas previous human settlements, agriculture, and small-time commercial activity related to local needs are permitted by law. New laws have been inducted to prevent the large-scale commercialization of this land. I think settlements by outsiders into the buffer also need to be checked.     

Tiger By Mukul Yadav 

While this is good, the incidence of electrocution, poisoning, and poaching does occur to some extent. This is correlated indirectly to water woes, especially in the buffer. Creation of saucers and ponds and bunds is not easy at all since these can easily be poisoned using insecticides that are locally available.

Whereas in the core or the critical tiger habitat patrolling is intense...in the buffer, it is relatively less probably due to priority or lack of resources. 

Importance of Buffer

Why The Buffer? 

After the heavy destruction of forests in India, the habitat available for tigers is much less, and it is further compounded by commercial activities, the presence of livestock, populous settlements, and agriculture resulting in extreme biotic pressure.

The dependence on local wood and on minor forest produce creates more pressure than desired. Wood is used for energy as well as furniture. The availability of gas has to some extent mitigated the demand for wood but not all are implementing the generous availability of  CNG out of sheer habit or lack of purchasing power. The scattered felling of trees continues, and I have found many areas in or near the buffer to be incapable of holding other life forms. Perhaps greater awareness needs to be created among the locals. The forest department does offer properly collected dead wood to locals at an affordable price. 

Conservation in Buffer        

Why does tiger conservation take into account the buffer area whence the core offers complete sanctuary to the big cats? 

Well, the answer is simple. In order to come out of endangerment the big cats and their prey have to multiply. The core area will not be sufficient to hold as many tigers as desired. Hence they have to spread into the buffer which they have already done in the case of Kanha where conservation has been a big success. Tigers need large space to survive, this is one fact that all conservationists are aware of.     

While predator and prey movement into the buffer helps reduce deadly conflicts between tigers inside the core to a good extent, it simultaneously augurs man-animal conflict outside. During the scarcity of water big cats move into the core intensifying territorial conflicts due to the disruption of population dynamics. There is tremendous stress on wildlife during the dry season from March onward. Wildlife from all areas facing a shortage of water congregates in the core.     

Experts - Watershed Management 

In the core area, many water sources remain though many dry out early hence water management is required. Though the management is earnest about preserving the water sources, I think inviting or taking the assistance of experts or watershed management should be thought of. In one incident I noticed a continuous trickle that supported a water hole was erroneously clogged whence efforts to enlarge by drilling proved a failure. This may have been occurring elsewhere? 

In buffer areas most of the water bodies have been taken over by settlements - this is the case everywhere. Creating water holes or saucers is difficult as elucidated earlier in this article. Hence solutions have to be found by human intervention or by extended protection to sources already existing.   

Perhaps forest communities and the tourism industry could be involved in some manner to offer an extended hand in managing the buffer. 

At the moment tiger conservation in India at many places is succeeding thanks to committed management and sound policies. Macro solutions will spell success much faster. We should all assist in some manner to augur success. 

Community Initiatives   

Community initiative is the way forward, the tourism industry already provides jobs to the locals impressively and some partner benefits as well through commerce and sharing. Little more contribution by all will do wonders      

This is where the industry and well-wishers can contribute by helping the local institutions and empowering people (some may already be doing). A small contribution will create greater equity about wildlife and forests in minds of the locals, and about their inheritance. Well, it is a good deed as well.    

Courtyard House Kanha - Community Initiative

As an example, Courtyard House Kanha owned by Neelesh & Kirti Agarwal along with donors has adopted Patpara school. They helped create a boundary wall (fence), painted the walls, and equipped the school with much-needed furniture and accessories. Since its inception, the resort has been donating paraphernalia useful on request from teachers.      

New Fence for Patpara School 

Student Interaction - Donation from Bishop Stratford School UK

Donors Visit George & Norah France

Furniture