P. tigris : The Paradox

Recently there has been much hue and cry over the ever dwindling number of Tigers in the wild. Exactly, why should we even care whether they get extinct or not. We have already killed three species of their lot, then why not kill the remaining six. The only ones suffering would be those will no longer be able to use the aphrodisiacs, the lucky charms and 'life-saving' drugs that can only be made from tiger bones and teeth. But wild tigers are not required for that. We can create 'Tiger Farms' and breed and rear them for their fur, bones and teeth. That would be enough to satisfy the demand for the tiger products. So we have have our domestic tigers and they won't exactly be extinct, only that we will no longer have them in the wild. The world be a much better place without wild tigers, wouldn't it ?

I sincerely hope there is not a single person reading this who harbors these thoughts. But I guess this is the stance that our Government has taken over this problem. As long as some dubious tiger census gives reports of increasing tiger numbers, the bureaucrats and politicians are pleased. But let it not throw a veil over our eyes. Nobody will be certain about the actual numbers, but if you believe the words of Valmik Thapar, the wildlife expert, ' the Tiger has been placed in its coffin'. As per the wildlife conservationist Belinda Wright" The Government is in such a state of denial about the falling number of tigers that there is virtually nothing that anybody can do. It is really simple to understand this phenomenon -- when the highest authority that makes rules and is also responsible for its effective implementation states that there is no problem so where is the need to look for a solution. And that is the biggest mistake we are making today.''

Poaching and deforestation facilitated by settlements bordering forests and encroachment can be pinpointed as the main reasons. It is true that poaching is most rampant in forests
where there are some villages nearby. Encroaching in to forest land and turning it into farmland have been prevalent for long. The reasons have also been known for long, but no leader apart from the late Indira Gandhi has taken bold decisions to stop them. The urgency to instigate more stringent measures to protect our national animal must gain high priority. The Constitution has laid down extensive laws on wildlife protection, but who bothers about verbose laws in writing. If poaching has to be stopped then the forest protection force will have to be more vigilant and settlements which are in proximity of forest areas must be strictly discouraged. It is a matter of concern that there has been no recruitment of forest guards since 1987. The guards are given minimal wages and are equipped with primitive weaponry. No wonder there are instances of them conniving with poachers.

The need of the hour is for the Government to understand that forest and wildlife are also as important as any other issue. More manpower must be brought in, more resources, more responsible personnel, better equipped forest outposts and most of all better management. We are endowed with so much diverse flora and fauna, and we must strive to sustain it to the best of our ability.