Bengal Tiger History: The tiger in India is said to have migrated from cold climes of Siberia or nearby regions during the passage of many ages. The name Bengal tiger is attributed to tigers in India, Nepal and Bangladesh with taxonomic classification as - panthera tigris tigris. The name Bengal tiger originates from its abundance earlier in Sunderbans in West Bengal in India.
The tiger entered into India which was already a habitat for Asiatic Lion in open, scrub and grasslands. The tiger subsequently spread into India where ever it found a suitable habitat - mostly in thick dense forests, and tall grasslands with dense forest canopy in vicinity. By the time the animal species reached the Southern tip of India, Sri Lanka had moved far away from the subcontinent making it impossible for tiger to settle in that country.
Status: There may well have been more than hundred thousand tigers in India before the destruction of forest habitat began. The tiger population began to shrink once its' habitat started reducing due to population growth of humans and resultant expansion of agriculture and settlements. The induction of fire arms made the situation worse as hunting became a fashionable activity among the Lords and the Maharajahs. Large numbers of tiger were killed during hunts which affected their survival at many places in Indian Subcontinent.
By the time British left India in 1947 there may have been about forty thousand tigers surviving. After Independence the country experienced rapid growth in its population and hence greater demand for agricultural output. Concurrently demand for fuel woods as well indiscriminate logging contributed drastically to the tigers plight in India. Vast tracts of forests - home to tigers - were cleared for agricultural and demand for wood.
Before legislation in the year nineteen seventy one, a hunter could legally shoot the big cats for a paltry sum that ranged anywhere from Rs.10 to Rs.45. One could easily gauge that the magnificent tiger was treated as vermin along with the leopard, wolf, hyena and wild dogs. This in spite of our five thousand years of civilization which emphasizes tremendous onus on protection and veneration of all life forms and Mother Earth.
The alarm bells had started ringing right from legendary Jim Corbett era whence he realized that numbers of tigers and leopards where sliding down. There was a sudden awakening in late sixties whence the animal numbers came down to as low as two thousand five hundred. To stabilize the rapid decline in tiger population and reverse the trend Project Tiger was launched in 1972. The project was a blessing in disguise as conservation brought reprieve to large number of life forms that subsisted alongside the majestic tiger. As per the instruction of the then Director Project Tiger Kailash Sankhala minimum human intervention had to take place. More impetus was given to conservation of the habitat and its reconstruction where ever possible.
The thought worked like magic and the tiger numbers stabilized and began to grow - due to protection. In 1972 Wildlife Protection Act was enacted as well which brought about a complete ban on hunting of wild animals in India. These were the two factors that brought about the rise of tiger population in India albeit nowhere near its past glory. But the act of saving the tiger from extinction appeared to be successful.
National Parks/Tiger Reserves: Though few habitats like Kanha National Park in India did get some protection during the 19th century, the concept of protected areas began to flourish after 1971. With a keen conservationist at India's helm Prime Minister Indira Gandhi there was rapid increase in protected areas in the country. [Protected areas are under the umbrella of Project Tiger are called Tiger Reserves].
The establishment of protected areas was the right thing to do. It helped protect a number of species in India. It helped save niche habitats and ecosystems which were crucial to survival of many keystone species like Hard Ground Swamp Deer, Rhino etc. Today the country has large number of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries with a greater degree of protection. Amongst the best managed parks in India are Corbett in Uttranchal, Kanha NP, Bandhavgarh National Park in MP and Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, India.
But in spite of conservation success in these parks the appalling failures of Sariska Tiger Reserve and Panna Tiger Reserve have put a big question mark on the Project Tiger Program. This combined with a low census of tigers (1400 approx) in India in recent findings (2008) has put the program's credibility at stake in the current scenario.
Albeit the program did succeed in the initial stages justifying it's establishment, it failed to overcome the ever increasing complexity in management of the endangered species and the protected areas concerned.
Threats: Lack of political will after the demise of Smt. Indira Gandhi and bureaucratic apathy are the two factors which contributed to complete decimation of tigers in Sariska and Panna NP. Understaffed and ill equipped man power in protected areas is another contributing factor. Placement of uninterested management in key conservation areas.Human habitations inside NPs and Sanctuaries violate sanctum sanctorum a must for many sensitive species. These factors have resulted in reduction in numbers of tigers in other protected areas.
Another aspect of falling tiger numbers is the myopic conservation approach which has entrusted completely, the onus of tiger conservation on protected areas. This has resulted in complete neglect of tigers in forest habitats with lesser degree of protection or none at all. A subsequent(?) tiger population exists in these unprotected habitats which is entirely at the mercy of human habitation and governance in the vicinity. This tiger population is a contributing gene pool for tigers in protected areas and a viable factor in conservation of endangered tiger species overall in the country.
Creation of protected areas and early success has resulted in complacency that forebodes ill for the tiger conservation. Sariska and Panna Tiger reserves are infamous examples. Such incidence of mass scale poaching are real and should be prevented at all costs in other tiger reserves.
In adequate patrolling and surveillance coupled with complete neglect of elements detrimental to conservation in tiger habitats. Ineffective legal system and democratic urgency (vote bank) which makes tiger conservation a very lowly priority. Cases of sheer neglect and apathy of those responsible for protected areas
Demand for tiger bones in Oriental System of medicine in China and other Asian countries is the greatest threat to tigers in India and else where. Large number of tiger poaching is attributed to this demand and less to man animal conflicts.
Inbreeding due to isolation of tiger populations. The fragmentation of tiger habitats pose a threat to tigers due to inbreeding ill effects. No serious efforts have been made in the country to create viable forest corridors between habitats in vicinity. Example: Pench - Kanha - Achanakmar - Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh.
Probability of disease from humans, live stock etc is a threat which can wipe out a tiger pool in an area completely. Example: Rinderpest/Foot and Mouth Disease among Bisons in Kanha in 1976. FPL cases among lions in Africa and Indian zoos.
Destruction of habitats ecosystems which make it impossible for the tiger to subsist in that areas. Large scale logging.
Out of approx. 32 lakh square kilometers of land in the country a shameful 3 to 4 percent of area is reserved for other life forms. This is too is a battle ground for human rights shamefully - we cannot manage ourselves in 96 percent of land.
The Last Hour: Albeit some isolated population of tigers may survive in inaccessible regions of Satpura Ranges, Sunderbans and else where. Extinction of tigers in India is a grim possibility if not absolute certainty.
Why Save Tiger? Well tiger is a keystone/indicator species and is placed at the top of the food chain. If the tiger is present than you can be assured that the ecosystem is alive and kicking. Tiger represents our respect and value for all life forms. Surviving tigers assures that we believe in equality, freedom and right to existence. Protection of tiger is a bit sentimentality and lot of reality. Yes! The tiger's extinction is a lot foreboding for our environment - fresh air, food and clean water and our existence itself in the long run.
How we can help? Citizens of the country are real sentinels of nature/wildlife/environment (all life forms). Prevent destruction of habitats, speak against poaching. Minimize use of chemicals, natural resources like fossil fuel, paper, wood products etc. Plant natural trees, encourage regeneration of forest types. Take a step forward and do what ever you can do to save the endangered tiger, other animals our natural environment and resources.
Speak - Write - Act - Contribute - whatever? Do all you can to save the tiger.
Do It! If you wish to live in a healthy environment and see that your coming generation does as well.
Do It! If we are a responsible Nation.
Do It! For love of God the creator of life.
Do It! if for nothing but to see the magical tiger in the wild.
And Yes! Do It! for your coming generation and posterity.
The tiger entered into India which was already a habitat for Asiatic Lion in open, scrub and grasslands. The tiger subsequently spread into India where ever it found a suitable habitat - mostly in thick dense forests, and tall grasslands with dense forest canopy in vicinity. By the time the animal species reached the Southern tip of India, Sri Lanka had moved far away from the subcontinent making it impossible for tiger to settle in that country.
Status: There may well have been more than hundred thousand tigers in India before the destruction of forest habitat began. The tiger population began to shrink once its' habitat started reducing due to population growth of humans and resultant expansion of agriculture and settlements. The induction of fire arms made the situation worse as hunting became a fashionable activity among the Lords and the Maharajahs. Large numbers of tiger were killed during hunts which affected their survival at many places in Indian Subcontinent.
By the time British left India in 1947 there may have been about forty thousand tigers surviving. After Independence the country experienced rapid growth in its population and hence greater demand for agricultural output. Concurrently demand for fuel woods as well indiscriminate logging contributed drastically to the tigers plight in India. Vast tracts of forests - home to tigers - were cleared for agricultural and demand for wood.
Before legislation in the year nineteen seventy one, a hunter could legally shoot the big cats for a paltry sum that ranged anywhere from Rs.10 to Rs.45. One could easily gauge that the magnificent tiger was treated as vermin along with the leopard, wolf, hyena and wild dogs. This in spite of our five thousand years of civilization which emphasizes tremendous onus on protection and veneration of all life forms and Mother Earth.
The alarm bells had started ringing right from legendary Jim Corbett era whence he realized that numbers of tigers and leopards where sliding down. There was a sudden awakening in late sixties whence the animal numbers came down to as low as two thousand five hundred. To stabilize the rapid decline in tiger population and reverse the trend Project Tiger was launched in 1972. The project was a blessing in disguise as conservation brought reprieve to large number of life forms that subsisted alongside the majestic tiger. As per the instruction of the then Director Project Tiger Kailash Sankhala minimum human intervention had to take place. More impetus was given to conservation of the habitat and its reconstruction where ever possible.
The thought worked like magic and the tiger numbers stabilized and began to grow - due to protection. In 1972 Wildlife Protection Act was enacted as well which brought about a complete ban on hunting of wild animals in India. These were the two factors that brought about the rise of tiger population in India albeit nowhere near its past glory. But the act of saving the tiger from extinction appeared to be successful.
National Parks/Tiger Reserves: Though few habitats like Kanha National Park in India did get some protection during the 19th century, the concept of protected areas began to flourish after 1971. With a keen conservationist at India's helm Prime Minister Indira Gandhi there was rapid increase in protected areas in the country. [Protected areas are under the umbrella of Project Tiger are called Tiger Reserves].
The establishment of protected areas was the right thing to do. It helped protect a number of species in India. It helped save niche habitats and ecosystems which were crucial to survival of many keystone species like Hard Ground Swamp Deer, Rhino etc. Today the country has large number of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries with a greater degree of protection. Amongst the best managed parks in India are Corbett in Uttranchal, Kanha NP, Bandhavgarh National Park in MP and Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, India.
But in spite of conservation success in these parks the appalling failures of Sariska Tiger Reserve and Panna Tiger Reserve have put a big question mark on the Project Tiger Program. This combined with a low census of tigers (1400 approx) in India in recent findings (2008) has put the program's credibility at stake in the current scenario.
Albeit the program did succeed in the initial stages justifying it's establishment, it failed to overcome the ever increasing complexity in management of the endangered species and the protected areas concerned.
 |
| Tiger Picture Male Tiger Kanha National Park (Uday Patel) |
Threats: Lack of political will after the demise of Smt. Indira Gandhi and bureaucratic apathy are the two factors which contributed to complete decimation of tigers in Sariska and Panna NP. Understaffed and ill equipped man power in protected areas is another contributing factor. Placement of uninterested management in key conservation areas.Human habitations inside NPs and Sanctuaries violate sanctum sanctorum a must for many sensitive species. These factors have resulted in reduction in numbers of tigers in other protected areas.
Another aspect of falling tiger numbers is the myopic conservation approach which has entrusted completely, the onus of tiger conservation on protected areas. This has resulted in complete neglect of tigers in forest habitats with lesser degree of protection or none at all. A subsequent(?) tiger population exists in these unprotected habitats which is entirely at the mercy of human habitation and governance in the vicinity. This tiger population is a contributing gene pool for tigers in protected areas and a viable factor in conservation of endangered tiger species overall in the country.
Creation of protected areas and early success has resulted in complacency that forebodes ill for the tiger conservation. Sariska and Panna Tiger reserves are infamous examples. Such incidence of mass scale poaching are real and should be prevented at all costs in other tiger reserves.
In adequate patrolling and surveillance coupled with complete neglect of elements detrimental to conservation in tiger habitats. Ineffective legal system and democratic urgency (vote bank) which makes tiger conservation a very lowly priority. Cases of sheer neglect and apathy of those responsible for protected areas
Demand for tiger bones in Oriental System of medicine in China and other Asian countries is the greatest threat to tigers in India and else where. Large number of tiger poaching is attributed to this demand and less to man animal conflicts.
Inbreeding due to isolation of tiger populations. The fragmentation of tiger habitats pose a threat to tigers due to inbreeding ill effects. No serious efforts have been made in the country to create viable forest corridors between habitats in vicinity. Example: Pench - Kanha - Achanakmar - Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh.
Probability of disease from humans, live stock etc is a threat which can wipe out a tiger pool in an area completely. Example: Rinderpest/Foot and Mouth Disease among Bisons in Kanha in 1976. FPL cases among lions in Africa and Indian zoos.
Destruction of habitats ecosystems which make it impossible for the tiger to subsist in that areas. Large scale logging.
Out of approx. 32 lakh square kilometers of land in the country a shameful 3 to 4 percent of area is reserved for other life forms. This is too is a battle ground for human rights shamefully - we cannot manage ourselves in 96 percent of land.
The Last Hour: Albeit some isolated population of tigers may survive in inaccessible regions of Satpura Ranges, Sunderbans and else where. Extinction of tigers in India is a grim possibility if not absolute certainty.
Why Save Tiger? Well tiger is a keystone/indicator species and is placed at the top of the food chain. If the tiger is present than you can be assured that the ecosystem is alive and kicking. Tiger represents our respect and value for all life forms. Surviving tigers assures that we believe in equality, freedom and right to existence. Protection of tiger is a bit sentimentality and lot of reality. Yes! The tiger's extinction is a lot foreboding for our environment - fresh air, food and clean water and our existence itself in the long run.
How we can help? Citizens of the country are real sentinels of nature/wildlife/environment (all life forms). Prevent destruction of habitats, speak against poaching. Minimize use of chemicals, natural resources like fossil fuel, paper, wood products etc. Plant natural trees, encourage regeneration of forest types. Take a step forward and do what ever you can do to save the endangered tiger, other animals our natural environment and resources.
Speak - Write - Act - Contribute - whatever? Do all you can to save the tiger.
Do It! If you wish to live in a healthy environment and see that your coming generation does as well.
Do It! If we are a responsible Nation.
Do It! For love of God the creator of life.
Do It! if for nothing but to see the magical tiger in the wild.
And Yes! Do It! for your coming generation and posterity.
Comments
Write New Comment ▼
Write New Comment
Sorry! This knol's owner(s) have blocked you from editing, making suggestions, or commenting here.