IS THE ‘BIG CAT’ TO GO THE ‘RHINO’ WAY??

India holds over half the world's tiger population. According to the latest tiger census report released on February 12, 2008 by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the current tiger population stands at 1,411. The results include figures from 16 tiger states and are exclusive of Jharkhand and Sunderbans as the state of West Bengal was covered only partially (i.e. North Bengal) during the census.

A shocking reality on the data provided by the government is that the real tiger count is much less than the official anticipated total due the uncertainty in counting the pug marks.

Ø How from 1 lack to 4000 in the world?

The count of the tiger in the world reduced drastically from 1 lack to 4000 within two decades. In India the following reasons play havoc..:

The struggle between the tribal and the tigers living in ‘harmony’ is supposedly the main cause for these dwindling figures. The lure of money and incentives form Tibetans and Chinese allow poachers to vanquish the mighty mammal. The big cat faces threat from mindless mining and other human activities within 1 km of the reserves.

The government apart from making stringent laws on paper hasn’t been able to achieve much via its policies.

Humans in their race to establish their supremacy over all is falling into an abyss from where mother earth would not be able to save him.

Ø Why is there such a great hassle for saving the national animal??

I think for many of us, the answer lies in the question itself. But for the aware, saving the tiger goes a long way in saving our environment. The food chain ensures that the survival of tigers means its ‘prey base’ is well flourishing which protects the herbivores of its own accord. To protect the herbivores, the lush green forests need to thrive. And the forests as we all are well aware are the storehouse of the prosperity of a nation, economic and ecological. eventually save tiger ,save us!!

Policies of the govt..:

· National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 66 national parks and 421 wildlife sanctuaries were set aside and later increased to 99 national parks, 514 sanctuaries, 43 conservation reserves and 4 community reserves.

· Recently the environment committee refused to allow seven coal mining projects in Madhya Pradesh chhindwara district .this came as a landmark as this region falls in the corridor connecting PENCH and SATPURA reserves which is frequently used by tigers as a thoroughfare from one reserve to another.

How can you do your bit??

What can me and you do to save the striped animal? Be aware of the changes in the environment and use the RTI to ask the authorities of what they are doing to save the tiger.

We can associate ourselves with NGO s sensitive to the cause and spread awareness all the same.

Organize marathons and bring together your society to in this noble cause .make the people understand of the repercussions of the extinction of the tiger.

Visit the national zoological park which in turn helps pay for the sustenance of animals there.

a recent news proves that the sariska gets its 4th tiger ,which may help repopulate the tiger reserve for good.hoping for many more such encouragements from the scientists of the country and our environment minister:shri jairam ramesh.