• About BCR
  • News
  • News @ BCR
  • Rescues
  • Issues
  • Cat Laws
Monday, January 25, 2021
  • Login
  • Register
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
Home News World

The habitat imperative

BCR by BCR
October 15, 2009
in News World
0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

The story of India’s vanishing tigers is a crisis way beyond the environment. The royal Bengal tiger, now down to a mere 1,400 in number, has fallen prey to a crippling crisis of governance and astounding indifference towards this magnificent big cat. For years, Project Tiger, conceived to save this animal from extinction, flogged figures of 4,000-plus cats in the Indian wild, while it was clear from habitat loss and rare sightings that this count was fictional. Despite signs of distress, bureaucratic stonewalling resulted in a lost decade during which timely action could have been taken to prevent the tiger population from falling below what many scientists consider a critical survival threshold.

The big shame is this: the number of Indian tigers today is lower than at the launch of Project Tiger. There were an estimated 1,800 tigers in India then. Net net, we’ve lost 400 since.

It was an Indian Express expose that showed us Sariska’s missing tigers. The Prime Minister’s subsequent intervention has only served to ensure that the tiger census follows scientific principles, which is how we have come to acknowledge the grim state of reality.

The reasons for the population decline are clear. First, Indian forests were thrown open to “development” through an amendment to the Indian Conservation Act in the 1990s, under the Narasimha Rao government. India is now discovering the costs of development, and the loss of tigers’ natural habitat is one of them. The second reason is the low priority accorded to conservation by the states. In Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, for instance, there are an estimated 1,200 vacancies for forest guards. No wonder the Ranthambore and Bandhavgarh reserves have seen the sharpest falls in numbers. The toothlessness of the Indian Forests Act worsens the scenario, with even third-time offenders getting quick bail in poaching cases. 

The law needs to be tightened.

The third reason is a puzzle posed by a shadowy “tiger mafia” suspected of a hunters’ trail leading towards China and Tibet, which remain the world’s largest consumers of tiger body parts. China even has countryside tiger farms (akin to poultry complexes) for the purpose. One might think that this “farming” would at least help save tigers from extinction, but, alas, captive cats simply cannot survive in the wild. India must engage China diplomatically on this.

The final and most understudied problem, some would argue, is turning out to be conservationalists themselves, the people who collect large sums for their “work” to save tigers. Many of them have allegedly used their mission as a cover for self-aggrandisement. Cynicism surrounding the effort to save the animal has hurt the cause. The corruption of wildlife NGOs needs to be dealt with.

What is needed now is a comprehensive plan that has credibility, and operates with utter transparency, with an Internet-linked force acting on behalf of tigers. Political will and public resources need to come together. Yet, sanctioning budgetary funds for bureaucratic programmes will not do the trick.

But is it too late already? Maybe not, even if time is running out. Think habitat. For tigers to survive in the wild, they must simply be left alone. Corbett and Nagaerhole, places with the least human interference, are doing better with their tigers. In adopting “do not disturb” policies, some parks in Karnataka spell hope as well. Tigers, thankfully, can reproduce fast—if the environment is stable and conducive—and stay in good health. This makes a tiger revival a distinct possibility.

In 1947, the country had 50,000 tigers. Our record since should shame us all into a cooperative pact that says “no further”. It would be profoundly sad if the next generation gets to “sight” tigers only in cages, or as pictures on glossy paper, or even worse, as symbols on matchbox labels, bidi wrappers and suchlike. Little would they know how uplifting it is, in that rare moment of truth that an authentic sighting is, to see grace and power combine with such feline felicity.

Ninad D Sheth 
Posted: Friday, Feb 22, 2008 at 2132 hrs IST
Updated: Thursday, Feb 21, 2008 at 2151 hrs IST

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/the-habitat-imperative/275576/2

For the cats,

Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue
an Educational Sanctuary home
to more than 100 big cats
12802 Easy Street Tampa, FL  33625
813.493.4564 fax 885.4457
MakeADifference@BigCatRescue.org
http://www.BigCatRescue.org

You might also like

Cub Petting Shame

Rules

GoFree

Free ways to join us and help the big cats:

Twitter:  Follow Me and be invited to enter our Animal Lover's Dream Vacation Giveaway! http://twitter.com/BigCatRescue


Tags: News World
Previous Post

Lions Going Extinct

Next Post

Dublin Zoo announces names of endangered Sumatran Tiger cubs

BCR

BCR

Big Cat Rescue is Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade

Related Posts

Cub Petting Shame
Cat Laws

Cub Petting Shame

January 17, 2021
450
Be Safe Out There!
How To Start A Sanctuary

Rules

March 31, 2020
27
Big Cat Rescue does bobcat rehab and release of native, Florida bobcats.
Articles by BCR

GoFree

March 29, 2020
110
Nik Tiger being Xrayed
How To Start A Sanctuary

What is a day like at Big Cat Rescue?

June 30, 2020
17
Cougars at Big Cat Rescue
Memorials

Artemis

January 28, 2020
55
Next Post

Dublin Zoo announces names of endangered Sumatran Tiger cubs

Leave a Reply

  • Default Comments (0)
  • Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help Feed Big Cats

One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below.  This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats.

Give to Big Cat Rescue

If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal

Take Action Against Abuse

Shop To Save Big Cats

More From BigCatRescue

  • Rescue Missions
  • About Big Cat Rescue
  • Big Cat Rescue News
  • Reviews
  • Our Recent Work
  • Sanctuary FAQs
  • Big Cat TV

Sanctuary Cats

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Big Cat Information

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Ways to Help

  • Newsletter SignUp
  • Donate Now
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • View AMP Versioin
No Result
View All Result
  • 2018 Appeal
  • About BCR
  • About our Cookies
  • BCR in the Media
  • Big Cat Rescue Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade
  • Big Cat Times
  • Blog
  • Board of Directors
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Credentials
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Embed Link
  • GET THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT CUB PETTING
  • Global Big Cat News
  • Intern Program
  • Kids
  • Latest from Big Cat Rescue
  • Licensing
  • Map
  • Map of Big Cat Owners
  • Netflix
  • News about Big Cats
  • News Gallery
  • News@BCR
  • Our Video Series
  • PressRoom
  • Privacy Policy
  • Rescues
  • Search result
  • Series Archive – Default header
  • Shop
  • SnowLeopard
  • Social Stream
  • Staff
  • Teachers
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Terms of Use
  • Test Gravity
  • USFWS
  • Vets
  • Videos archive
  • Get Involved
    • Automatic
    • Sponsorships
    • Volunteer
      • AdvoCats
      • Click to Feed
      • Intern
    • Legacy
    • Roar! Speak Out for Big Cats
    • Ink
  • Finances
  • How We Started
  • Abuse Issues
    • Issues
      • Exhibitions
      • Private Ownership of Big Cats
      • Zoos
      • White Tigers
      • Circus
      • Fur
      • Trophy Hunting
      • Canned Hunting
      • Why Regulations Don’t Work
  • Our Evolution
  • Photos & Facts
  • Videos
  • Our Volunteers
  • Your Privacy
  • Donate
  • Site Map
  • Field Trips

© Copyright 2021 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Add New Playlist