India is a land of tremendous bio-diversity. It's a land consisting of varied unique ecosystems, which contribute to its richness. The Tiger has always been a symbol for depicting the Indian bio-diversity. India harbors the largest population of wild tigers in the world, along with one of the highest human populations. Native to India since ages and being part of various folklores, it has the status as being India's 'National Animal'. Tigers are among the most recognized and popular in the mega-fauna circle due to its indelible charisma. However, due to various reasons, most of which can be attributed to humans and human progress, both socially and economically, tigers are in grave danger. With the ever rising population and escalating demand of resources from the rich bio-diverse forests, slow depletion of forests was imminent and a foregone conclusion. However, this has affected the flora and fauna belonging to that ecology a great deal. Also, human greed for its beautiful coat and for using its other anatomical remains for economic and social purpose has had a tragic impact.
Destruction of habitat is a direct result of humans trying to encroach in the tiger country in search of economic gains by exploiting the land for mining, lumbering, picking, harvesting, and etc. purposes. As far as the world picture, scientists have identified 9 species of tigers in the last century out of which 3 species; namely, the Balinese, the Javan and the Caspian Tigers are extinct. The remaining 6 species are highly endangered. Taking the example of Sariska, one of the flagship tiger country of the yesteryears, today, there are no tigers left due to high poaching figures and faulty management by the forest personnel who are in constant fear of the wrath of the Government if they report any untoward damage under their jurisdiction. It's a collective failure in India to protect the Great Cat. Collective failure of Government, the Forest Authorities, the concerned Citizens and the naïve and unconcerned Citizens! If immediate steps are not taken soon and having a positive impact on the dwindling numbers, sadly, the Great Cat might just remain as a symbol and mascot that it is on and for flags, sporting teams, et cetera.
Being the apex species in the carnivore category it is very critical to the ecosystem. The ecosystem might slowly and eventually denigrate with the dwindling tiger numbers. Other reason for southward fall in number of Tigers can be attributed to its natural tendency of moving solitarily, often requiring large contiguous areas of habitat that support their prey demands resulting in conflicts internally within the species. Add to it, its constant conflict with humans.
Many tiger lovers and conservationists with mixed results, the negative results out of which can be attributed to indifference shown by Government, have taken up various initiatives in the past. India being a people's Government has to accede to the people's demand. It means that the people of this do not want to prioritise saving Tiger either due to naïveté, indifference, lack of initiative or simply because some consider themselves too small to rise up to this issue. An individual is always small; it's only a team that has strength. We as individuals probably cannot rise for the issue. Let us rise by joining hands. Let's strategise revolution, as probably it’s only a paradigm shift that can probably save the tiger. Just imagine children of couple of generations hereafter getting to see a Tiger as a tamed animal in Zoo cages or worse, only in photos. Let's act and make a difference!
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