3682..

… this is the number of tiger estimated in recently concluded tiger census which is conducted every 4 years. India now accounts for 75% of global wild tiger population and its conservation practice is a benchmark across the globe. It is heartwarming to note that number of tigers have increased. This is not the first time that the increase has crossed double digit growth. What does this number mean to us as common man? Have we peaked holding number for tigers in Indian landscape? Well I don’t believe so. In begining of 19th century we had more than 1 lakh of big cats. There presence was menace and they would be shot down to curb menace, British forest officers kept record of this. However overtime hunting became a game and matter of pride for the super elite of society to showcase their strength and dominance. If I was natural historian I would like to delete the British raj chapter from Indian history due to reckless game hunting attitude. Nevertheless Geographically speaking, India has a holding capacity of arguably 10,000 number of tiger and we have just about 3682 left. So the question is what should be done over next few decades to increase tiger population. Below are my seven cents:

1. Increase forest cover
Tigers live in dense forested areas interspred with meadows. Infact riverine forests are known to hold tigers better. All though we have increase in forest cover but thats on open scrublands. Huge section of land are considered barren. Reclaiming these with help of technology can be big turnaround. With new legal amendment in FCA, the area might practically reduce on count of human and infrastructure development. Currently lot of forest cover is last to mining, road & railway, hydroelectric projects. This needs to be relooked since it destroys the corridors used by tigers for migration.

2. Improve tiger corridors and monitor them closely

Conserving tiger habitats which are rich in any form of natural resource is critical part of improving tiger habitats and corridors. Tigers are territorial cats who need large areas with forest cover, food water prey and mates. According to WWF a single adult tiger needs 100+ Hectares of space to thrive healthily. In absence of forest prey & partner, they leave the home range and wander far and wide until conditions are met. Male tiger called Walker from Tippeshwar walked more than 1000km before settling on edges of MP and MH border. This is just one example, I have a laundry list but that we will keep for later. Interestingly after that walk no one tracked walker since he had finally settled. This tracking is needed consistently for longer duration and more samples to effectively understand the tiger corridors. 

3. Balance economic developmental activities and tiger habitat protection

Human needs are insatiable. Humans are most selfish animals on earth. Thus in current scenario economics is given priority over environment and forests. Roads, dams, bridges, mines, power grids, agriculture etc are needs of humans which will only increase with time due to increase in population. Classic example is NH7 which cuts right through Pench Tiger reserve. It has reduced the travel time for humans however it has increase the road kills of wild animals due to road traffic. This is inspite of creating bridges and corridors for animals to move. Same is case with Samruddhi highway in state of Maharashtra. We need to stop somewhere, we need to relook and define balance between infrastructure needs and tiger habitat needs.

4. Tackle poaching and prey-base depletion

Illegal wildlife trade runs into Billions of dollars globally and hence seen as lucrative trade by the insensitive greedy humans. Every part of tiger skin is sold with high demand in International market. Supposedly in Chinese traditional medicine, tiger body parts are a cure for everything, right from impotency to disarming effects of black magic. Who knows, but unfortunately a tiger is killed. The local uneducated poacher kills tiger for meagre sum of few thousand rupees. The root cause is lack of skill and unemployment. We need to find ways to create awareness on why should one tiger protect tigers, to upskill these poachers, employ these poachers in right way and tackle this issue on priority. this poaching issue is not just limited to tigers but also other animals. Other animals like deer and boar are hunted for bushmeat etc, this reduces the number of herbivore resulting in less food for tiger to sustain. Similar when grasslands are converted into agriculture lands we are leading to chaos in cycle of nature. These grassland support many herbivore which in turn are food for predators like tigers. Hence to increase tigers we need to reduce depletion of prey base and ensure protection of their habitats.

5. No industrial projects in eco sensitive zone and tiger habitats

This has been the most argued topic in India right now. Creation of Eco-Sensitive zones around protected areas (with/without tigers). ESZ are created with clear intent and prioritisation of nature first. However, needs of forest dwelling tribals and local villagers does get compromised. Hence to create fine balance ESZ Notification was released by the government. This categorizes the activities in ESZ into three categories, Prohibited, Promoted and monitored. I will write a separate blog on policy black, white and grey of the policy. For now, The question is knowing industrial projects are prohibited, whey every now and then exceptions are given to certain companies under different garbs. This needs serious attention and no industrial projects should be allowed under any pre-text.

6. Prioritise wildlife crime detection and faster judgement. 

Our forests are quiet large, monitoring them is no easy task. No matter vigilant you are, you will have mischievous characters entering forest to poach wildlife for easy money. Camera traps, heavy patroling, opening 100% of core for safaris etc could be some possible ways to reduce crime. Under current situation, In case a poacher is caught, the criminal is subject to maximum punishment of 3 years of jail time and fine of INR 50,000 extendable upto 7 years and 2 lakhs for repeat offenders. The amounts in question are too little for paoching supervisor and he can cut his men out quickly. Further the challenge still remains urgency of detection and faster conviction. 

7. Focus on wildlife tourism

I have been doing wildlife photography for decades and I have realized people are attracted to tigers. Tigers fascinate people, tigers can mobilise the public. I saw my first tiger at age of 4 and have-had long lasting impact on me. The simple reason I fell in love with tigers was the enigma. You protect only what you love. So with that logic in mind, we need to ensure urban and rural public to experience tigers (especially kids) in wild and you will see lot of tiger crusaders coming into picture who will strive for tiger conservation. Not just that, tourism will bring along with it revenue to locals which in turn will reduce the dependency on forest for livelihood. This has already seen as a game changer across many parks in India. Tadoba with total of 20 gates, Ranthambore with 10 gates are classic examples on how tigers can drive tourism and livelihood.

As Jim Corbett, wrote in his book, “A tiger is a large-hearted gentleman with boundless courage… when he is exterminated — as exterminated he will be unless public opinion rallies to his support — India will be the poorer by having lost the finest of her fauna.”

It is time to rally around and champion the cause of “Saving the Tigers to Save Humanity”. After all we are dependent on this wild spirit and their survival needs our support.