After the Wildlife Institute of India released the report on tiger population in the country, a can of worms was opened and the biggest conservation success story was turned into the biggest failure overnight.
However, the central and state governments immediately jumped into action and took corrective measures to ensure safety of the big cat. As a result many tiger reserves in the country have shown encouraging results, Ranthambhore being one of them having increased the tiger population to 41 from 22. Belinda Wright, executive director of Wildlife Protection Society of India feel that given the efforts of central as well as state governments, the big cat has a bright future in the country.
Q. Would the nation see tigers after 50 years from now?
A. “Let me put it like this. 50 years ago, when I was five years old, we never saw as many tigers as people see today. The big cat survived tremendous pressure it was reeling under five decades ago. It has an ability to bounce back and overcome disasters.” The tiger will stay here. “I am optimistic about it.”
Q. How poachers manage to kill the tiger and transport the body out of the country right under the nose of government?
A. It is not that the government or the forest departments were not warned. NGOs and environmentalists persistently highlighted the organised tiger poaching syndicate. However, the policy makers continued to deny the facts until we came to know that tigers have been wiped out from Sariska in 2003. General public or the NGOs have access to some part of tiger reserves. But it is not the case with poachers. They can penetrate to any part of the reserve. They are much more sophisticated than the forest department officials.
Q. What should the government do to protect the national animal?
A. The only best way is to keep poachers away from tigers. The turn around at Ranthambhore is the result of dedicated and whole hearted efforts. The park administration there has been successful in driving poachers away. The result is visible now. Despite adverse conditions tiger reserves like Nagarhole in Karnataka, Ranthambhore in Rajasthan and Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra are doing well and the big cat is in safe hands here.
Q. What attracts the poachers to this magnificent animal?
A. Money offcourse. Huge money is involved in tiger trade with demand for its parts from all over the world especially China. Tiger is worth far more when dead than when alive. Villagers are used for much larger networks of organised wildlife criminals. Field investigators working for the WPSI have uncovered an incredible degree of sophistication among hardcore wildlife criminals. Large sums of money have been recovered from arrested criminals, along with mobile phones and modern firearms.
Q. What is your opinion about the demand of Chinese government to allow trade in tiger parts?
A. The world must oppose it strongly. It will pose even more threat to the wild cat. They claim to have around 5000 tigers in breeding farms across China. But the demand is so high that poachers will target tigers in India.
Q. Would the fund of Rs 50 crore earmarked by Finance Minister for tiger protection be any help?
A. Yes definitely. Though meagre, but we must feel happy that for the first time after independence, tiger had a mention in budget speech of finance minister.
Q. Can Sariska revive?
A. Yes. Tiger has tremendous ability to overcome all odds and given enough protection, Sariska can regain the lost glory.
Q. What is the destination of tiger parts?
A. Tiger parts are destined solely for foreign countries – largely China. Skins are in demand for coat trimmings, while bones and other parts are used in traditional medicines in different parts of the world. The demand has led wildlife criminals in India to collaborate closely with their counterparts in neighbouring countries like Nepal and Tibet.
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