Future of Tigers in India

Some ten thousand years back tiger crossed into India from the cold climes of Siberia. It possibly migrated via IndoChina and entered the country to spread around many dense forest and grassland habitats.  It faced a little challenge since the prime predator preceding its arrival was the Asiatic Lion which incidentally had a different habitat preference. The leopard and other predators were no match for this magnificent beast.     

Tiger in Forest - Uday Patel

The predator spread far and wide in the subcontinent perhaps leaving a few States that did not contain the requisite habitat. The spread was gradual till the population came to more than a hundred thousand animals. The big cat flourished as a tertiary carnivore and settled down in the prevailing ecosystems well. That it could breed and multiply with ease confirmed that it had a strong survival instinct.     

For thousands of years, all went well but not in recent times of history. It faced a greater challenge from humans as they multiplied and spread. But the conflict was not daunting as there was plenty of space for all the species then. 

Tiger Reserve - Teerath Singh

It was the unchecked human populations...ever-expanding for more space and utilization of resources that put wildlife and their habitats under pressure including the tiger. Since the carnivore is an apex predator the impact was worse in its case.

As human settlements increased and resource utilization became unmanageable the negative impact increased tremendously as well. The big cat began to lose its habitat, and the ecosystems were gradually destroyed one by one. In dire need of space, humans began to invade habitats at a fast pace. 

Eventually, the grasslands began to recede and so did the forests. In the period of contemporary history, human populations in India grew at a rapid pace resulting in the unplanned acquisition of lands that were crucial for the tiger’s survival. Agriculture too expanded rapidly in recent times sounding a death knell for the homes of the big cats. Large areas of forests and a wide span of grasslands were taken over for human settlement and agriculture. Many species were lost and many are on the verge of extinction as a result.

After suffering decimation due to organized culling campaigns during the British Raj the remaining tiger populations were further being reduced drastically by modern-day hunters with guns. But the conversion of habitats into agriculture had a major impact on the tiger populations in India, especially during the post-independence period.    

Modern Day Challenges 

The human population in the country continues to grow and continues to acquire land for agriculture or other purposes, especially urbanization. The new threat is from development as perceived by the planners. Much under pressure to create a robust World beating economy the fast-expanding industrialization is threatening the very existence of remaining big cat habitats and other species in the country.  Mining, encroachment, and denudation of forests are slowly but surely suffocating the breath out of the big cats.     

It all depends upon what policies are shaped and executed. A lip service paid to conservation would be disastrous with habitats already decimated and surviving species on the verge of extinction. Conservation should be on the agenda of the governing bodies as well as the planners and executioners such that it evades the threat of rabid industrialization that can take place. We should also reckon that public participation is the need of the hour.

Climate change is being augured by the use of fossil fuels as well as the decimation of natural lands. This poses a certain threat to humans but it threatens the species' survival as well.  Our rivers the only source of drinking water, fresh air, and edible elements all are under severe threat.

Consumerism is posing a big threat to the environment. The frustrating plastic menace has come to note. The use of toxic chemicals like pesticides and toiletries is threatening the health of our environment and increasing the extinction risk of many life forms.    

Poaching is a threat that exists in various quarters where the big cats survive. Local poaching is very much there in some places while organized poaching has completely decimated populations in Panna and Sariska Tiger Reserves.

Demand for tiger parts in the Chinese system of medicine is proving to be an existential threat. This is correlated with the taste of exotic wild species in the cuisine of many countries. Pet keeping as a hobby is an unethical practice that is tolerated by many countries.  Activities like these encourage and help flourish the illegal wildlife trade. 

A large population in the country still considers wild species as inimical to human safety and interest. It is organized awareness campaigns and tourism that will perhaps mitigate these horrendous beliefs. If only the big cat could create equity for itself which it does to some extent due to tourism. But is this enough? Many erudite conservationists regret that the tiger cannot vote. Seriously!  

The Future

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It would be unjustified to say that the ruling dispensation does not care for the wilderness. It does and so did the past Governments. What is questioned is the degree of commitment overriding political expediences and hasty development practices.   

Conservation cannot be considered just as a deemed policy matter and ethical or moral obligation. Concrete and sincere efforts have to be made from all quarters to preserve and populate other life forms including the tiger.

The creation of the Project Tiger Program was a shot in the arm for the beleaguered specie. The numbers were precariously low whence this effort was launched. In spite of all the initial hurdles and organized poaching racket the tiger in recent times has gained ground.       

The creation of tiger reserves or inviolate protected areas (critical tiger habitats) accorded much-wanted breathing and breeding space for the other life forms including the big cats. But the preservation of the protected area is subject to many challenges ironically whence there is a dire need to accord greater space and protection to the tigers in India. The biotic pressure on our natural lands threatens the coexistence of other life forms hence the inviolate spaces should be zealously guarded.  

As per the 2014 Census using a new methodology, the figure arrived at was 2226 a rise over the earlier estimates. The 2018 census is going to result in indicating the survival of more tigers in India. But is this enough? 

We have a long way to go...   

2014 Tiger Census

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Uday works as a senior naturalist at Kanha National Park in India
He loves blogs on conservation and related issues
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
9755089323

Clive & Ruth's Photographic Expeditions

Clive & Ruth Photographers UK

Tiger Safari

Guests Courtyard House Kanha

Naturalist Uday Patel

Clive is a professional wildlife photographer and keen wildlifer along with Ruth who equals enthusiasm and clicks wonderful images as well. Their enthusiasm for wilderness and local cultures is unmatched. They have visited India many times and are keen travelers from the United Kingdom.

They are our regular guests at Courtyard House Kanha. This season we had some exciting safaris and photographic adventures at Kanha National Park. 

Though the focus was on tigers we came across many other wild animals, and the guests photographed them with vigor. On this tour, they have taken thousands of photographs. They have been kind to send some of their works to Kanha and Panna. 

Changeable Hawk Eagle

Jackal

Tiger

Panther

Sloth Bear

Tiger

More on tiger photo tours with Clive the wildlife photographer.

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 

            

Gory Killings Nature At Work

Whence herbivores are killed by predators it cannot always be a scene picked from a National Geography wildlife serial. Some of the moments could be heart-wrenching, agonizing, and strikingly painful experiences. The pathos such incidents generate is difficult to contain what with emotions streaking through the over-awed mind. 

While tigers and leopards are efficient hunting machines causing swift death, predators like the wild dog and jackals are not. The charge is often a series of fumbled attacks that end up mauling and scaring the terrified prey. The resultant attacks lead to torture misery and painful death sometimes taking a long time.          

I observed a jackal attack on two occasions on a tiger safari in April. The first one was a single jackal in a meadow that managed to pick out the flesh from the cheeks and eyes of a terrified fawn. Agonized to the extreme the helpless fawn bleeding and weakened stood up its ground but to no avail. In a series of charges, the jackal could succeed in an awkward kill as other deer watched haplessly.   

The scene was heart-wrenching many in the crowd had closed their eyes, and some simply left the scene. The end was agonizingly slow but the predator succeeded in availing food. 

The second incidence was at the edge of the forest where two jackals had managed to rip open the stomach cavity, and the entrails were hanging loose. It was indeed a gory event and certainly not for the weak hearts. The animal eventually succumbed and became a meal for the jackals followed by crows and vultures. All was over in a short time.  

Though the events are described here as gory this is the way nature works. In almost all the events the death is painfully slow there is an inbuilt death mechanism amongst the prey but sometimes it does not work. 

User discretion

Jackals by nature are omnivorous animals but whence there is a preponderance of prey they develop the instinct and capability to kill the small ones. 

Tiger Ambush & Chase - Hunting

With Margaret & Georges France

Guests Courtyard House Kanha
  

Tiger Hunting Deer Video - Uday Patel
Kanha National Park in India

She must have arrived at predawn in the grassland and had settled down unseen. Whence we saw her she was safely ensconced in between the grass and could hardly be seen. We stayed there admiring the big cat in sylvan surroundings and serene settings that the forests are popular for. The rising sun had lit the strands of grass here and there creating an awe-striking splendor. 

We must have waited for some time observing the tigress taking a peek at deer in and around preparing for the kill. This continued for some time till there was a rustle amongst the bushes across the road. Swiftly she turned around and vanished into a grassy patch behind, right opposite the deer preparing to cross the road. We could not see her at all. Where was she?     

Ambush & Chase     

Suspense mounted as the deer (fawn + doe) slowly edged towards probably where the tigress was waiting. The camouflage was incredible as the big cat lay flat on her belly without a whisker being shaken. Tigers can sit incredibly silent and still for a very long time in wait for their prey and this is what the female was doing. She must be in the range of 130 to 150 kg weight and fully grown. 

The black stripes and yellow must be aiding her due to pattern disruption making her invisible in the meadow. The camouflage is remarkable and many times it is difficult for the prey to sight the predator. The body contours fit well in the terrain completely engulfing the animal, this is a unique feature and makes tigers stand out from other predators. Stealth and surprise are the key aspects of hunting and survival.       

The deer had yet not seen her and were a few feet away totally unaware of death waiting ahead.  The fawn was following a few steps behind the doe.  

It happened within a flick of the second as the tigress lunged at the fawn totally taken by surprise and fear. Rolling on its digit the big cat closed on the fawn covering a distance of about thirty feet. The move was effortless and strikingly fast. Upon nearing the fawn she struck at the tiny leg making him lose balance. Thus grounded she pierced her canines and broke the vertebrae of the prey. 

I could hear the heart-wrenching sound of the fawn as it struck the ground. But mercifully it was all over in seconds. In nature, death strikes fast due to a shock mechanism thus reducing the suffering.

In the same movement, the tigress gripped the fawn and was on her way to the cubs. She had come near to our jeep as it happened in few seconds and we could not reverse.  What was really surprising the big cat had not run out of breath and was moving swiftly probably towards her cubs. 

Dual Mode of Hunting 

The female had not only used an ambush but also chased the prey exhibiting how the tigers hunt in the wild. The patience exhibited was remarkable and the ground chosen to hide showed how experienced the animal was.     

Intruding Male Tigers Killing Cubs

With the sad demise of Budbudi female, her cubs would have perished as well or perhaps eaten by the intruding male tiger. An impressive number of cubs are born every year, but few survive to repopulate the reserves in India.

The males that sire the cubs do not kill them but rather protect them from attacks and often meet and share meals with the family as a matter of assurance. It is the duty of not only the female but the male as well to see the cubs through the two plus years of vulnerability.   

The territorial hold of dominant males is porous and is often intruded on by transgressing rivals. This is bound to be as male tigers are peripatetic, busy patrolling their territory leaving females and cubs vulnerable to an attack by an intruding male. It is difficult to manage large territories that the dominant cats hold. They may have mated with other females in their area in order to ensure a healthy population of their species. Darwin's survival of the fittest is very much evident in tiger landscapes where the battle for space and food is intense.    

The killing of young ones is a natural phenomenon and insures the transfer of better genes. Well, this can not be often as many times the intruding male is sent packing or is unable to kill all the cubs. Death of all the cubs could mean females coming back into oestrus. This is what the intruding males seek. By killing all the cubs they are able to transfer their genes. 

The big cats are possessive mothers and go out of their way to protect young ones. Not only protection but also impart skills for survival in the wilderness. In order to remain safe they keep on shifting their territories but the shifting process may make them more vulnerable to attacks by rival males.  

Whence the tigress is able to resist takeover it could ensue into an internecine battle often resulting in the death of the female. The male is hurt too but being stronger and larger is able to fend off death. This is what happened in the case of Budbudi tigress in Kanha National Park. The male eventually consumed the female which again is not surprising.     

Tigresses do mate with more than one male to ensure fertilization as well as avoid conflict with a rival. This often happens whence the males are siblings and hence allowed to stay in the vicinity. The big cats show greater tolerance towards their siblings than towards strangers.     

Within a spate of a couple of months about ten cubs have been killed at Kanha National Park. This is a regular occurrence and those that have lost young cubs may soon give birth to another litter. These events certainly do not call for human intervention since is nature doing its bit.  

The loss of young ones is certainly sad since we are losing tigers fast due to other factors chiefly lack of habitat, electrocution, and poaching. But many times hundred percent survival rate is experienced in well-managed parks, and this is what maintains a population balance in the ecosystem.

The cubs are vulnerable for two years but take more time than that to learn and gather experience. This is essential to fend off dominant males hence they have to find uncharted territory. In case of space restriction, they have to face humans which are more dangerous than rival males.      

Tigers are prolific breeders and swiftly replenish their stock if adequate protection and space are provided.  Winters are preferred for mating albeit it goes on throughout the year as and when the opportunity arises. This is the period whence conflicts are accentuated including territorial fights among the males. 

Generally, the core undisturbed area is sought after by dominant males. The high prey base, water, and adequate shelter make the core inviolate area preferable to the buffer which is littered with settlements and farms.             

    

Tiger Cannibalism - Budbudi Queen Lost

Loud roars were heard during the morning safari at Karai Ghati road. But no tiger was seen and the commotion was made out to be a kill by a tiger possibly a Dhamangaon male who frequents the area. 

Whence we heard about the incident we explored the area nearly an hour later. The jungle had fallen silent and there was no sign of any life forget the big cat. 

During the evening safari, I advised guests staying at Courtyard House Kanha where I freelance as a naturalist and host to inspect the spot. They sighted what was actually Sangam male a visitor to Karai Ghatti.  

Sangam Male

Pranav Ade & Pratik Mudholkar are wildlife enthusiasts and keen photographers who have taken some excellent photographs of the killer male. The partially eaten carcass was later dragged towards the road and it was discovered to be that of another tiger. On inspection by the forest department, it was found to be that of Budbudi female the star of Kisli Range and Queen of Kanha. 

Much is conjectured about the incident but it is assumed that the male killed her as she was not willing to mate. Or it could be that he was after her cubs? In defense of the cubs, she gave up her life. But it is not certain that she had cubs albeit a search is going on. 

Often seen at Kisli Talao and Budbudi fire line she was very popular with guides, naturalists, and regular visitors to Kanha National Park. 

Another tiger lost, a sad story but what is more saddening is the fate of the cubs? Search will reveal the true status of the female and I hope soon.        

   Image Courtesy Pranav Ade

Tiger Conservation: Securing Food

Most of the protected areas that have registered an uptick in the population of tigers have also experienced an uptick in prey base. This has happened simultaneously with the improvement of the habitat after the relocation of villages from the core zone or the critical tiger habitats.  

Predators are totally dependent upon prey base population for survival and breeding. The two categories of animals are inextricably linked and one cannot think of conserving the tertiary predators in absence of an adequate prey base. 

The big cat's intake includes spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, gaur, swamp deer, and langur in descending order. Outside the core area frequent consumption of livestock chiefly cattle takes place. But this is the bone of contention which endangers the species at the hands of the locals. Though the compensation plan mitigates the ire the incidence does create a grudge against the animal which could prove a further detriment for the existence of the already beleaguered species in India.  

The Project  Tiger Program in India is certainly inclusive and has been successful in preserving the ecosystems as a whole. With proper implementation, tiger populations have increased and could increase further.   

The positive number of games has favored the predators immensely and with increased breeding and protection. Subsequently, the overflow of prey base into the buffer has also resulted in a marginal increase in the tiger population in the zone. Marginally because many big cats inhabiting the core areas have included parts of buffer zone within their territorial command. Hence the density though appears to have increased it is not the case. Well, not to that extent.

There are tigers inhabiting the far regions of the buffer zone where ever sufficient area is contained and wood logging and poaching are restricted. This is where the challenge arises by the virtue of constant man-animal conflict,  frequent transgressions, timber felling, and poaching. The prey base is most susceptible in far-flung areas whence an inadequate protection mechanism is in the picture. 

This is also the case of our reserve forests outside the purview of protected areas. Though the infrequent incidence of the carnivores' presence comes to our notice now and then these are the grounds with virtually none or scare prey base. Poaching is a major threat in such areas while wood logging could be regular. Hence the hope of saving the species lies within the precincts of the protected areas in India.     

As a smart strategy greater concentration is accorded to hitherto badly ravaged areas within the core and the viable corridors. Once these areas have been replenished with prey base the focus should include the buffer zone inhabited by humans, their farms, and livestock. There is tremendous biotic pressure in the buffer zone with scores of villages settled post-relocation exercise. 

Many areas of the buffer zones have been degraded due to human pressure namely wood logging and indiscriminate grazing. Wetlands and other water bodies have experienced severe stress and need to be brought back. The creation of new water bodies wherever possible is an urgent requirement. Poaching though appears to be sporadic can run uncontrolled as many areas are neglected or could be deliberately overlooked by the patrol teams. Wildlife disease management is another important issue that is certainly being addressed at the core. 

Extensive afforestation programs have to be initiated in order to create a habitable ecosystem. Human activities have to be contained, and no commercial activities should be permitted at all including the construction of private houses.   

The buffer zones would be crucial inclusion in tiger conservation activities if the population has to sufficiently increase. Perhaps the number game if successful would fetch the tiger out of its critically endangered status and perhaps preserves the species forever. 

Though this malady exists possibly in all tiger reserves, Kanha sets a fine example. The population of gaur, chital, wild boar, and sambar have definitely increased in the buffer augmenting more habitable regions for the tigers. But here to cases of sporadic poaching using various means especially electrocution surfaces now and then. 

Installation of solar-based fencing which accords a mild shock is the answer to prevent man-animal conflict or reduce the instances. Though this may appear wishful thinking relocation from the buffer or containing local or migrant populations would benefit immensely. Excessive human intrusion and activities especially livestock grazing could have a negative impact on the wilderness.      

At the moment things seem to be moving upward greater efficiency and innovative management techniques along with strong political will can secure the future of the tiger in India. Perhaps forever.   

        

Tiger Conservation - A Number Game

Tigers are elusive animals and amazingly apt at being unseen even whence in the vicinity. Their habitat preference aids in camouflage, an art that they have mastered anyway, and a structure along with enchanting color patterns makes the big cats practically invisible wherever they live.

The predator can sit or stay still for an amazingly long period, crouch low in small tufts of grass and walk silently unheard, even whence in proximity. It has an amazing ability to freeze and stay that way for an exasperating time span. The animal can virtually vanish at will from the human reckoning.   

I believe many tigers complete their life cycle and die without being seen or being recorded by the tiger counting mechanism or the field personnel. This also assures that the predators occupy a wider tiger landscape than we assume. The ghost of the darkness is an apt way to describe the magnificent beast for it is a nocturnal animal made so by necessity and to some extent by massive human intrusion everywhere they survive.        

In democracies, life forms that vote are the privileged ones, and hence others are always endangered or facing extinction eternally. The situation is not good in countries that are governed by autocratic or dogmatic beliefs as well. In fact, the tertiary predator is nowhere safe.      

Counting The Cat 

Earlier the cats in India and Russia were counted using only the pug mark method. This resulted in greatly exaggerated figures leading to a chancy complacency that was disastrous for conservation. With the advent of more scientific methods like camera trapping and DNA analysis, we are coming to more accurate figures plus and minus a few. This development has also led to the discovery of tigers elsewhere outside the protected areas in previously undocumented tiger landscapes. But do these exciting finds assure that the population in India is rising? 

Well Yes & No

The Tiger population is well managed in highly protected reserves it is rising there thanks to the efficiency of the staff, wildlife managers, and the political will prevalent generously to say so. On the other hand, there may be many habitats where the animal is still being persecuted leading to a reduction in numbers. Man-animal conflict, hunting, and poaching are still the factors instrumental in the critical status of the big cat. And yes, I have not forgotten the tremendous biotic and abiotic stress that modern man is imposing. 

Crown cover of most of the landscapes may be receding drastically hence habitat destruction is an ever going disaster in a heavily populated country like India. Dams, mines, and infrastructure projects are never going to see an end, hence the threat will prevail unchecked ever. 

With a virulent stress on development or rather unplanned rapid development that always takes place in haste to be repented at leisure.     

Tigress - Paul Diggins

A Nation hell-bent under prioritize, the beleaguered cat has no place on the list.        

Whence we count the big cats we have only one species in mind this is a gross miscalculation. There may be no more than fifty South China tigers in the wild as per reports. The Tigers have gone virtually extinct in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. We have lost the Bali tiger in Indonesia, the Caspian, and the Javan. 

Around three hundred Siberian tigers survive in a small pocket, precariously under severe threat from poachers. India is the country that is home to the Bengal tiger with the largest number standing at more than half the global population. This species also survives in Nepal, Burma, and Bangladesh. The last figures registered an appreciable growth of around thirty percent let's see if it stays that way. The country is doing all that is possible to protect the carnivore in its protected areas.           

The drastic reduction in the habitat is the primary reason for the sad numbers of animals almost everywhere,  and this threat does not seem to be mitigating. Of the roughly seven percent of the habitat left, the threat of denudation, wood logging, and human pressure looms large. The animal needs vast space to survive. Are we willing to accord that do we have a policy which would enable increase the inviolate space badly required?

The populist governance prevailing in the country is incapable of doing this, containment will linger. The hopeless case of tiger corridors is evident so very much. This is due to a lack of political courage. We have rapaciously taken over all the land for our cause without generously allocating some for other life forms. There seems to be no hope regarding this, and it seems to be wishful thinking and may seem ludicrous to some.       

The largest and single most threat that looms precariously is the use of tiger parts in Chinese systems of medicine and not to forget the culinary preferences. There seems to be no encouragement that the CITES convention would ever be followed there.      

Albeit the picture seems like a doomsday prediction there is hope for the tiger at least in India. All it needs is stringent protection, political will, and apt management. We must not forget laws that govern illegal practices regarding wildlife...these need a paradigm change if poachers and hunters have to be discouraged effectively.     

Tiger Deaths - A Real Conundrum

In a short span of time four tigers died at Shahdol District in MP, one each in Corbett National Park in UK and Sanjay Dubri in Chhattisgarh. A tiger was electrocuted near Pench National Park, a tiger was found dead near Sehore....the story goes on. Though more tiger inhabited area should be taken under the net of protection on many instance the process has laggard behind due to reasons unknown.

If any process in this country has to gather pace, that has to be tiger conservation measures. It seems conservation bodies at National and local level are obsessed with tourism rather than finding solutions that could save the big cats in India.    

It no longer surprises whence the tabloids speak of death of the big cats including the leopard. Though not all deaths have a alarming reason many die of one. The ongoing threat is of course electrocution. But poaching and poisoning goes on hand in hand. 

Poisoning is preventable as they do so at Kanha National Park by quickly shifting the carcass out of reach of the predator. This must be done elsewhere too but not everywhere especially in an around our reserve forests. Fortunately not many tigers inhabit our reserve forests as their number has drastically gone down and they are found only in and around the protected areas or the tiger reserves.  

What is missed out by the above factors is taken care of by the railways and road accidents. In case of leopards which venture too close to human habitations they are killed by the marauding mobs and over zealous hunters often in connivance with local politicians.  Neither is the reporting by local press constructive and it is seldom brought to notice about human intrusion in the land of wild denizens. We are urbanising at a fast pace too fast as a matter of fact and bringing to nought the habitats that come on the way. The animals suffer in mute silence as they watch their land being taken away. 

Power play does not affect only the downtrodden humans it is vicious in case of wild animals. Some politicians and local hunters indulge in hunting misusing their powers. Corrupt official from the forests and other departments are often too eager for a shoot out. 

Some members of hunter gatherer tribal communities are a persistent threat to wild animals, and are active in feeding the illegal wildlife trade. Die hard poacher sitting at the helm of the network rarely face penal action, thanks to legal loop holes and an indolent judicial system which drags the cases so long that justice virtually has no meaning.            

The threat to our tigers is real the rising numbers not withstanding. Multi pronged assaults can dip the figures dangerously there is no room for complacency. What is required is a concerted efforts to save the beleaguered animal not just physical protection, proactive policies are the need of the hour. Policing, habitat management, disease prevention and effective translocation of warring tigers wherever population is in plus category.