Tiger tiger burning bright… are the firefighters here yet???
The February 2008 census showed that there are just around 1500 tigers remaining in India… so much for a national animal. According to a leading daily… the previous reports on the census were false and that there weren’t as many tigers as their so called protectors claimed. They had a stake in it???
With so many conservation projects and all the money that goes into it. With the numerous NGO’s. With increasing literacy rates, the tigers seem to be in safe hands, but none of these go into the boundaries of bureaucracy, corrupt organizations and the tiger reserves. The only ones that get there are that of the poachers, who access the tiger habitat in the same way as we do, these area’s are protected aren’t they, and manage to get out with the tiger less the limbs, flesh and blood.
On my way to one of those heavenly places on coastal India, there is this beautiful range of mountains we go across. The early morning light was kissing each one of those numerous peaks waking them up for a new day. Monsoon in India brings as much life to everything living or non living. Rivers, forests, mountains, skies, all appear to have a new soul and are quick to show it off. I marvel at these sights while trying to subconsciously to figure out if I was awake. Never had I or anyone I knew ever heard or imagined of such great sights that momma nature had to offer. I wished I could jump out of the bus and let her take me in her arms. Unlucky me.
Two years on after this experience, one morning, pictures of a similar place, appear in the news paper. Some nature loving entrepreneurs, or so they claim, are planning a town ship. “Access to highways”, “amidst nature’s bounty” are their USP’s. It would be a dream location, you just have to sign that cheque. Before I could sink into the feeling of a customer, a picture on my wall reminds me of what would be mindlessly sacrificed, to make a few people happy and a few rich. Forests minus trees, minus the wildlife, minus the beauty, is always equal to such things which claim to be dream come true. It wont be long before you have another town ship with equally prosperous and ignorant neighbors.
Where do the tigers or any other jungle folk for that matter… go??
It is the same case with that resort by the waterfall. Those publicized tourist spots. Losing a few trees can’t do much harm, can it??? Ask the penguins a few questions on their now favorite subject, global warming.
Simple thought… what have these creatures, which the communities of wildlife enthusiasts revere, done to deserve this.
Just to give you a little insight into the tigers’ soul. Quoting Jim Corbett “I think of a small boy with an old muzzle loading gun stalking half a dozen jungle fowl that were feeding in the open and on creeping behind a plum bush and standing up to peer over… looks at a bush heaving and a tiger walking out on the far side… on clearing the bush the tiger looks at the boy with an expression on his face, which said as clear as any words… hello kid… what the hell are you doing here??? And on receiving no answer, turning around and walking without once looking back”. This Mr. Corbett wrote to show the lamentable ignorance of a tiger’s character, by those who not only called tigers ruthless, cruel and bloodthirsty, but also coined virulent phrases which formed a part of the universal understanding, though incorrect, that people would have about tigers.
Humans are not a tigers’ natural prey. Tigers are not man-eaters until they are incapacitated by wound or old age and of late due to depletion of resources and severe deforestation, compelled them hunt humans for survival.
The small human population in the jungles work in their fields, lie in the open at night and sometimes hear a tiger calling and continue with their work with the thought that this guy, unless molested, would do them no harm.
Talking about Mr. Corbett’s reason as to why, even sportsmen agree that shooting tigers with a camera is better than using armor, the records in images and videos are a constant source of pleasure for everyone, long after the trophy ripped off these beauties lose their hair.
None of these characteristics, though I have not been very extensive, justify all that they have to bear, for just being themselves. Or is it just the human proliferation and greed which makes people simply pass this off as requirements for survival.
Everytime these thoughts cross my mind, a blunt pain on hatred passes through my heart. It constantly reminds me of how I know about all these atrocities against the tigers, against nature and still am not able to do anything. I can’t protect them myself, I cant fight the poachers, the corrupt officials. Some of you would empathize with me. Then something tells me we still can make a small difference. Difference of probably one tenth of an animal’s life, by not using animal products like leather, musk, horns and claws, peacock feathers. Not littering the jungles, whether built or wooded. Doing our bit to reduce pollution. Spread awareness and help anyone with the same or even greater cause. Of savings earths crown from losing its jewels.
A tiger skin looks good... only on a tiger
Acknowledgements:
Jim Corbett for sharing his extensive knowledge of the jungle.
Everyone who does or wants to do his bit for the planet.
Jim Corbetts excerpts are from his omnibus published by the Oxford University Press
