Pacing the moist floors of temperate and tropical forests of the Asian subcontinent, or wading through deep snow in Siberia, the largest predator of the feline family – TIGER, is in need of your help.
On average, tigers grow up to a height of anywhere from 4.8 to 9.5 feet and weigh anywhere from 75 kg to 325 kg. They are carnivores by nature and are considered to be the apex predators. Being a solitary animal, tigers mark a large territory and often spend time roaming this expanse alone, in search of food.
Rather than categorizing tigers by their species, they are identified on basis of the regions they are found in. The largest of the tigers, Siberian tiger, also known as Amur. Then there are the Royal Bengal Tigers, tigers from Southern China, Javan, Malayan, Caspiam Tigers, Indo-chinese and Bali. And Sumatran tigers who are the smallest of the tigers.
Known for their fierce, solitary nature and their brilliantly coloured coats, this magnificent beast with its soft padded feet and balancing tail, manages to camouflage itself even in scarce bushes of forests, yet somehow we find their numbers dwindling with each passing year.
Hunting, deforestation, encroachment and loss of habitat are just some of the factors that have brought their numbers down to a mere 3,200 tigers in the wild, all over the world.
Reason for the near extinct numbers
In the last century, the tiger populous has gone from 100,000 in the wild to about 4000. This drop in number is largely due to the increasing human population and related activities like deforestation, agricultural land claims, housing and setting up of large scale industries. This has resulted in the loss of habitat and also in the decrease in their food supply. A tiger’s chances of survival in the wild have hence, dropped.
Another factor is the hunting of tigers due to conflict with human beings. Encroachment on natural habitat due to the population boom has created conflict between tigers and man. Land encroachment leads to deforestation that leads to loss of herbivores residing in these forests, thus lack of food drives these wild beasts directly into the vicinity of man, where they either kill or get killed.
Another major factor contributing to the drop in tiger population is the demand for tiger parts to make traditional medicine. An affluent population, and demand, has resulted in the immense popularity of this cruel practice.
Trade in tiger bones as a popular remedy for several illnesses and as treatment for various diseases has led to the existence of a thriving black market and more often than not, it’s easy to disguise crushed or powdered bones than it is to hide their fur coats. This makes it very difficult to keep a check on this aspect of the trade.
Population in India
According to the 2011 census conducted by the Wildlife Tiger Conservation Authority, India accounts for over half the population of tigers in the wild.
Due to heavy poaching activities for trade in tiger parts, mining, construction of dams, etc. the number of tigers in the country has rapidly decreased. Though, of the 17 states where tigers are found in India, 7 of the states have a population of at least a 100 tigers. This is as a result of the strict laws implemented by the government in order to protect them and also the various other conservation efforts that are made. However, due to insufficient funds, forest guards are neither equipped with the weaponry, nor the infrastructure required to handle poachers, and several cases of assault and murder of forest officials are not uncommon today.
Regions where tigers are commonly found in India are classified into
(1) Shivalik-Gangetic plains
(2) Central India
(3) Eastern and Western Ghats
(4) North-eastern hills and Brahmaputra plains and
(5) the Sundarbans.
Why protect the tigers?
Given the symbiotic relationship shared between most of the creatures involved in the food chain, a sense of balance is created. Achieving this balance, today, despite of the damage done, is a strenuous task, but not an impossible one.
But conservation does not end with tigers “saved in zoo”. It begins with preservation of large forest areas, where this majestic cat can live and survive in a natural order. Large forests, in turn become oxygen pockets for urban dwellers. A flourishing forest area means rain and carbon sink that cleanses our environment of the pollutants that man has been releasing since the industrial age.
Each creature is as important as the other, irrespective of size or their place on the food chain. Every creature has a role, as does the majestic tiger. As an apex predator, the tiger keeps in check the population of their prey, namely herbivores; and in turn keeping a check on the plant life upon which herbivores feed. This contributes a sort of balance to the ecosystem, which is required in order for man to function as well.
A sharp decline in the tiger population of the world will have adverse effects in the ecological sphere. This is turn would cause a ripple effect in our environment, affecting everything including the air, water, weather, etc.
Efforts made for the conservation of tigers
1972 marked the beginning of steps being taken to conserve the tiger population by some means, which were adopted by most countries, except Burma.
India, being responsible for over half the total population of tigers in the world, saw the state governments launch respective acts to eradicate poaching and other activities which threaten the survival of tigers. Despite these efforts however, poachers in India still continue to hunt tigers upto some extent.
The intense protection of the wildlife reserves in India, however, has proved rather helpful in the preservation of the tiger population. Some of the other effective methods include eco-development which is essentially keeping track of the ecology of the area and then implementing strategies suitable to that environment, in order to carry out preservation.
The other method is breeding in captivity. This ensures a regulated and monitored conservation effort.
The other method is breeding in captivity. This ensures a regulated and monitored conservation effort.
There are also several acts that were implemented by law to keep the population of tigers and other endangered species in check. Addressing the need to adapt with an ever-increasing human population and encroachment on wild areas, co-existence with humans has become a reality.
The Black Jaguar-White Tiger Foundation lead by Eduardo Serio, currently has rescued and cares for over 2150 (and counting) Big Felines such as Jaguars, Tigers, Leopards, Lynxes, Lions, Pumas and more from a life of abuse in circuses, zoos and breeders, both legal and illegal ones.
How can you help?
- A little ripple can cause a sea of change. You can start by measuring and reducing your ecological footprint on the environment. Adopting simple habits such as reuse, recycle, making energy efficient choices, being mindful about the use of paper can go a long way. It wont disrupt your life, but you will create a better world for yourself, your future generations and fellow species.
- You can sponsor or donate or spread the word on the work done by organisations such as The Black Jaguar-White Tiger Foundation, Wildlife Conservation society or WWF
- Being a responsible tourist, ensuring there is no disturbance to the environment in any form of pollution, will also go a long way
- Spreading awareness of the cause, educating the people against poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Owning any jewellery made from a tiger’s claws, teeth or Tiger skins, tiger bone wine, meat and any medicine that contains tiger derivatives is illegal.
These beautiful creatures are just as vital for our existence as we are now responsible for theirs.
Help protect them!
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