Dying Tigers

Tigress Killed

She was choked to death in the cave, the one place she had chosen to give birth to cubs, but fate had another story chalked out for her. Upon discovering the tiger's lair, the poachers mercilessly clogged the opening and set things on fire. She was not incinerated but rather suffocated by smoke that had filled in the cave. She was killed along with cubs in her womb. This sordid saga is not just one event, there is an ongoing onslaught on the endangered beast in India. 

In a spate of few weeks, some more tigers have been killed, and this is alarming. Often the murder is passed off as a territorial fight or due to old age, how many of these narratives are true God only knows! Who bothers since the big cats are no political liability, the incidence could just pass off as unfortunate.

Killings using guns, snares, live wire, and poisoning the kill of the beasts are ongoing year on year. In a spate of eight years around seven hundred tigers have died, and almost half have been killed leaving the rest accounting for natural deaths. 

The figure of seven hundred is ominous with most of the deaths taking place in Central India and Maharashtra, incidentally these states account for a robust number of big cats. In some other States, the population is sizeable and so are the deaths but States are not in the context in this write-up. With the increase of 750 animals between two nationwide censuses the deaths equal them, or maybe if the unaccounted or missing ones are taken into account we are losing more tigers than conserving them.    

Even if we do not enter into the nitty-gritty of census and the growing numbers, the large number of deaths should be considered alarming. Add to this wrong labeling in case of poaching's being declared as territorial fights the figure rises exponentially. 

This points to lacunae in the management practices with regards to the conservation units all over India. Once we get over our obsession with tiger tourism, which by all means is innocuous with the regulation in place we have to dive in as to what is going wrong. 

We can call the poisoning of cattle or other livestock killed by a tiger a man-animal conflict. But live wire, snaring, hunting by gun or other weapons is not a man-animal conflict it is poaching or pure murder and a crime. This is going on for too long in India for comfort, and no concerted effort is being noticed for the amelioration of this deadly scourge. 

Why this neglect?

This is not a pure case of neglect there are gaps in our protection mechanism. And the solution is at the macro level.  

The number of such incidences could be reduced if the local staff or ground staff is proactive, alert, and effective. The latter aspect is missing. The post is part of a huge government sector called the forest department and is under the aegis of State machinery.  Still, under colonial makeover, the department functions in isolation and is not proactive enough to invite public involvement hence there is no voice as a result. Most of the news generated is by an instance of tiger death and at best limited to the incident often without many details. 

Hierarchical Alienation

Hierarchical alienation is evident since some of the top brass function in isolation surrounded by a coterie which includes the ubiquitous babus. Add to this there is substantial political interference, and corruption for which not all, and the department as a whole, cannot be blamed. There are honest and hard-working people in the whole hierarchy starting from the top. But those corrupt mar the functioning and this impacts conservation initiatives.              

Hierarchical alienation leads to lower staff which is most instrumental in the protective mechanism work in complete isolation, and in a weakened position. There are two reasons: lack of support from the higher-ups since many least bother to work at ground level, and an ineffective legal mechanism. I had been pointed out these lacunae in the system by the ground staff many times. The enormity of administrative work could be another reason for the lack of interest in the field.    But let's keep in mind the dedicated honest work loving in the management the reason behind success in an increase in numbers. I am not judging everyone under the same lens since a lot of commendable work has been done.

Corrupt officials and subordinates interfere in the functioning or are lax in their attitude. Some in the management of tiger reserves are just there to while away their time with no interest in conservation, while some are not fit enough to undergo rigorous physical and mental demands of fieldwork. As regards this, it has been pointed out time and again that placement should be subject to merit. But this is not happening as favoritism, personal preference and political influences are still being talked about. Readers should note that political/administrative pressures and demands are very much prevalent in this ecosystem. Special privileges especially as regards tourism must come to an end.

 Core Vs Buffer

The anomalies in the core or the inviolate area are much less, and greater administrative cohesion is seen. This is due to a better sense of duty, pride in the heritage, and public pressure that is constantly hovering. 

The buffer is the convergence point where outside influences creep in. The outside group comprises of political goons, mafia, and detractors mostly those under severe threat perception, or under the influence of organizations that do not agree with conservation practices. 

We must also note that a good number of locals are bereft of wilderness, treat predators as threats, see herbivores as food, and have the least interest in conservation. This leaves out dedicated officers and ground staff who nevertheless carry out their duty to save the animals that survive between humans. To the benevolent group, we must add the staff, guides, small businesses benefiting from tourism and the number is sizeable. This group is supportive of all conservation initiatives and put in efforts to make them a success. 

The beat guard or forest guard is most susceptible to threats, negative influences, stressful working conditions, and as mentioned earlier he works weakened. This leads to a weak protection mechanism in the buffer where most of the tiger deaths are taking place. Few incidences do take place in the core as well especially in areas near the buffer. The borders of our tiger reserves are porous and people can enter easily as not every nook and corner can be guarded. 

In most of our tiger reserves, in spite of demands for parts due to TCM or other reasons poaching is less. Few small times poachers do exists and kill tigers accidentally wide a mechanism meant to obtain game meat. But this is happening regularly and modus operandi is live wire or snares. The ultras wherever present prevents sound protection.            

Revenge for man/livestock kills can be termed as man-animal conflict and this is done using poisoning of the half-eaten carcass. As a preventive measure, the tiger kill is removed so that in absence of predator poising will have no impact and this is working effectively in the periphery of the reserves. But for other maladies, there is no solution yet.    

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Uday is a blogger and offers Seo + Content For Digital Marketing Services. 

He teaches digital marketing (SEO) in Jabalpur.

He freelances as a naturalist/birder at Kanha National Park. He loves to write about travel. 

He can be contacted at: 

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Author

Killing The Tigers Are We Living in Stone Age?

Indian Tiger

News

The recent incidences of killings of tigers and leopards at the hand of humans is alarming and is suggestive of extreme loathing of these earthly creature. It is also suggestive of continued intrusion into wilderness - that which remains.  

Why? 

For those living in the periphery of forests an incidence of man eating could be unnerving, but the chain extends much longer for there are vested interests that are keen to exploit the situation.   

Let us be honest, in case of man eating menace the locals are the target and an extreme fear and insecurity develops. When humans are killed the sentiments rise and the immediate instinct/solution is to exterminate. This in spite of technological means that could avoid killing.    

From the killing of the tigress Avni it is evident that we do not resort to measures to stem the rot at the very beginning in order to avoid human deaths including that of the predator. Satkosia could be another impending disaster. We have to stress more on the proactive methodologies and safeguards to prevent the big cats turning aberrant. I think our institutes are doing commendable research and there is hope.  

For the politicians, bureaucrats and local leaders - the singularly powerful people - elimination of problem animal is the only solution...for them it is also a populist goal. These are the people who can pressurise the local administration into an unholy act? 

But the question remains are we in India willing to do more than just providing physical protection to the cats in protected areas? The animal survives in non designated areas as well, and the stray population is as important for the gene pool and conservation. 

Tiger conservation is a comprehensive act and it involves the whole nation. Frequent incidence of man animal conflicts indicate that there are still grey areas that remain unplugged in species management in India. The lacunae is further compounded by utter disregard towards conservation among some of the ruling coteries, bureaucrats and NGOs.  The public besides few are equally to blame for being unconcerned and ill informed. 

We live in Human First Era!

A developmental imperative accords low priority to conservation which could prove disastrous in the long run. We are destroying remaining natural habitats helter skelter in our zeal to develop commercially, urbanize and create unnatural wealth by destroying the crucial natural resources. Rabid development is not the solution for myriads of problems facing the society, and sooner or later there should be a paradigm shift. Will it be too late then?     

Man eating is not an aberration as most people believe, it could be a natural recourse in absence of prey base, since long time back we could have been a part of the food chain. An accidental encounter, stress, self defense whence in proximity all could lead to man killing and could initiate consumption of humans. The repeated act leads to the big cat being termed as man eater. 

The reason for aberrant behaviour as we term is the scarcity of prey base, destruction of its home and intrusion into its domain. All this is rampant in the present circumstances.    

It is circumstances that have pulled the species apart and we no longer are deemed as prey. But it is always in the capacity of the predator to kill us. That it does not leads to justification that the species kills only for food. Energy in the wild is crucial and a specie cannot indulge in wanton killing. The fear of humans also contribute to the big cats maintaining distance from. All life forms on Earth fear us since we have amply demonstrated our ability to kill wantonly.   

Much more is required to understand the beasts that stalk the Earth. Tigers, lions, leopards are predators along with the lesser carnivores. Their role is to limit the populations of herbivores and maintain an equilibrium. Although hunting and consumption could have been an act of natural selection or an opportunistic food preference. The specie is at the top of the food chain in most ecosystems and is crucial in maintaining the delicate balances. 

The forests which nurture the predators for example are the source of food, water security and fresh air. None of the elements that constitute this ecosystem can be removed or damaged beyond repair if the productivity has to be continued. This means the tiger is as valuable as any element in the crucial web of life that shapes our environment.    

Selfish Humans!

Humans are a selfish breed albeit they have been nurtured by the same ecosystem that was shared by other life forms. We were once part of the same food chain that now works in the remaining ecosystems all over the Earth. We constituted the tiger's prey base, and perhaps humans targeted the predators as competitors. The stone age could reveal a saga of bitter animosity between the carnivore and homo sapiens if we could peek back. But nature works in such a manner that there is no room for wanton killing.   

Saving the tiger is crucial for our environment as well as for our survival. Species extinction is like a catastrophe which we also call an Armageddon.   

The Tiger is a matter of National Pride for a diverse India. Save It! 

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 

            

Department of Wildlife Health & Disease Management

Established in Yr. 2001 the Department of Wildlife Health & Management conducts disease surveillance, disease treatment, health monitoring, research and training. The institute is based in  Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is active in disease diagnosis and forensic relating  to wildlife. The faculty is not limited to this and plays active part in providing support to anti poaching authorities. It is helpful in terms of conducting post-mortem, collecting and presenting evidence in courts. A large number of poachers have been convicted thanks to the support provided by the Hon. Dean Dr. A.B. Shrivastava and his team.


On spot treatment of injured wild animals, birds and reptiles is forte of this center. It has developed into a full fledged center for wildlife forensic and health management in year 2010. The department provides veterinary support to all protected areas of Central India. Dr.Shrivastava and his team offers yeoman service to this important aspect of nature conservation. They have been active as silent crusaders providing succor to helpless wildlife since number of years.      

The dept. is a part of Veterinary University Jabalpur an institution conducting training on comprehensive veterinary sciences. The team has performed selflessly since number of years and gained experience while treating injured and sick animals like tigers, spotted deer, hyena, leopards, cobra, mugger, to name a few. Health care, first aid and life saving treatments is provided to birds as well. The efforts have saved life of many endangered species and provided succor to many.

The center's contribution: Research Diagnostic - Scientific Reports

FPL in big cats

Rabies in Sloth Bear

TB in Spotted Deer

TB in Hanuman Langur - Sariska Tiger Reserve

TB in Sloth Bear

Lymphoid leucosis - Peafowl

Haemangioma - Tiger

Ascending Duodenal Invagination - Leopard. 

Sarcocystois - Hard Ground Barasingha

Gasthrothylax - Swamp Deer

Paragonimus infection - Bengal Tiger

Pasteurellosis infection - Tigers - Elephant

Colibacillosis - Wild Dogs

The department co-ordinates in rescue and translocation operations in tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.  Its capability in immobilization technique is a great asset that provides vital support to the protected areas and reserved forests in MP. Besides provides relief from wild animals that have ventured closed to human settlements and villages.   

The Department of Wildlife Health & Management also provides training to field staff of forest department, students and students from foreign countries. With limited funding and infrastructure the institute has created a new paradigm in wildlife conservation.  All help and encouragement is welcome.