SAVE THE TIGERS

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“SAVE THE TIGERS”

A Line? A Phrase? No? Then What?

‘A Wave’

A wave of awakening, a wave of expression, a wave to show your presence…………

This time in my holidays I came across an awareness campaign over the television about how few many numbers of tiger are left in India.

At the turn of 20^th century, according to sources, India had an estimated 40,000 tigers in the wild. In 2002, based on pug marked census, this number was 3,642. As per the monitoring exercise by wildlife institute of India in association with National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Government of India using camera traps, in 2008 we were left with only 1,411 tigers. This number is so small that they will be gone soon if we don’t wake up to the crisis.

If tigers go extinct, the entire system would collapse. For example when Dodo’s went extinct (big bird) in Mauritius, one species of Acacia tree stopped regenerating completely. So when a species goes extinct, it leaves behind a scar, which affects the entire ecosystem – rather the food chain. Carnivores are of equal importance in the food chain.

-->The following is a very basic description of the chaos that would ensue if the tiger became extinct. If this was to happen, the populations of prey species like Spotted deer and Sambhar would burst at the seams. This excessive population would then totally ravage it's food source - vegetation. If the vegetation in the jungles was devastated, where and how would the insects survive. They may even shift to the crops in farmlands. If the plants in the jungles would be finished, what would refurbish the soil. If the soil was no longer fertile, new plants would not sprout. Over the years, this would probably mean the end of the jungles. The end of jungles also means the end of the biggest suppliers of the oxygen filled air, which we take so much for granted. This is a very simple layman description of what the result of tiger extinction could mean to our own survival. The truly scientific description is even more alarming and drastic.

Another reason why we need to save our tigers is to save our forests. When we protect 1 tiger, we protect about a 100 sq. km of area and thus also save other species living in its habitat. Therefore it’s just not about saving a beautiful animal. It’s about making sure that we live a little longer that the forests are known to provide ecological service like clean air, water, pollination, temperature regulation etc. This way, our planet can still be home to our children

Year	Tigers known to be killed
1994	95
1995	121
1996	52
1967	88
1998		44
1999		81
2000		53
2001		72
2002		43
2003		35
2004		34
2005		43
2006		37
2007		27

It isn't necessary for every one of us to take world-awakening steps. All we have to really do is influence those that are a part of our own lives. Obviously, anyone wanting to do more than that is another breath of fresh air for a dying tiger. There are many NGOs and other organisations that are totally dedicated to protecting the tiger. We will try and, as soon as possible, give you a list on this site of such organisations, which you can contact and lend a hand in tiger conservation.
The main thing that requires a mention here is that if you care for the tiger and want to do something about it - the time is NOW. Act - before it's too late.

Spread the word: Go out loud and tell others that tigers are dying and that they need our help. You can form forums (or join existing ones) on the web for discussions and exchange views on tiger conservation. Reach school going children. WWF can help you in this regard.

Be a responsible tourist: The wilderness is to be experienced and not to be disturbed and polluted. Follow the forest department guidelines when visiting any wilderness area, tiger reserve in particular. As the saying goes ‘Don’t leave thing anything behind except foot steps, and don’t take anything except memories.’

It’s all upto us how we act and how seriously we take this matter. Well I did and want you to too.

There’s nothing I can do or you can but someone can and someone will, atleast it won’t cost anything just to spread the message. It will surely reach those ears one day who can bring a change…….

“ALL THE BEST”

Your views and ideas are most welcome.