India has been home to Tigers for a very long time. If one has seen a Tiger they are just awed by the beauty, power and aura of the magnificent beast. Tigers were found all over India and still as many as 16 States of India are home to the Tigers. The latest census report released on 12th. February, 2008 by the Government of India reports that there are only 1411 tigers left. The population of the Tiger has been reduced by nearly 50% and that too in a period of 6 to 7 years. It is time that emergency and drastic steps are taken to save the pride of jungle and pride of India from becoming extinct.
[ The above picture shows the tiger population of India 2008 with figures, as on Panda.org. click on the image. ]
The causes of the fast decrease in the Tiger population are well known both by the government and common people. The increasing pressure on Tiger habitats due to agriculture, industrialization and degradation and fragmentation of natural habitats, forests and natural grasslands are one of the main reasons for the decrease of Tiger population and for that matter all wildlife in India. The immediate effect of this is lack of natural food and habitat causes the wild animals to come out of the forest area. This tends to increase the conflicts between the humans and animals. The other reason for the population decrease is Poaching, which has been on rise recently. There is a slogan I have been hearing for quit some time, ” If the buying stops, the selling will stop”. I think the rich people who are the only one who can afford buying the skins for their fancies are probably deaf, as they cannot seem to hear the slogan.
The poaching problem should be dealt with strictly by the Government of India and the concerned State Governments. The Forest Department of India is severely understaffed and they do not have the modern weapons and technology to protect the Forest areas. The laws for the animal protection should be revised. The poachers should be shot dead on sight. How can a forest guard armed with a stick [danda] or an outdated rifle fight the heavily armed poachers to protect the animals. It is time the Government of India acts urgently. The people of India should also join hands to save the Tiger. NDTV India has started a campaign to save the Tigers, please help the cause by signing the petition, please go to the link below to sign the petition online and help the Tiger.
Other links for more information on Tiger Saving projects are:
* WWF
* The WILDLIFE PROTECTION SOCIETY OF INDIA (WPSI)
The World Around Me 