(Photo curtsy Mr. Ajit Damle)
The
Chinese Zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao, is based on a twelve year cycle,
each year in that cycle is assigned- calculated according to Chinese
lunar calendar- to an animal sign. These animal signs are the rat,
ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog
and pig. This year (2015) is the year of sheep. Ancient Indian
calender, though Lunar based, does not have such designated animal
signs at all. Even then, year 2015 may as well be called as the year
of the tiger, simply because of the fact that in spite of a world
wide trend of decreasing numbers, India has been able to increase the
tiger population in the country. The latest estimate says that the
number of striped big cats has risen to 2,226, up 30 per cent from
1,706 in 2010.
India's
minister for forests released the
official data this week, that says;
“The
Third Round of country-level Tiger Assessment, employing refined
technology of double sampling using camera traps has recorded an
increase in tiger population. The mid value of the snapshot
assessment using the same methodology in 2006 was 1411. In 2010 the
Tiger population was 1706 and in 2014 it stood at 2226 with an
increase 30.5 % since the last estimate. A total of 3,78,118 Sq.Kms
of Forest Area in 18 Tiger States was surveyed, with total of 1540
unique Tiger Photo captures. As per the survey, Tiger population has
increased in Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and
Kerala.”
In
India, there are as many as 47 established tiger reserves, with two
more in Pipe line and several proposals waiting. The tiger reserves
are spread across the country and are located in 17 states. Some of
them hosting the largest number of tigers are well known such as
Corbett, Dudhwa, Tadoba and Bandhavgarh.
This
new data on numbers means that 70% of the world's tigers are now
prowling in India's forests. A fact that will be celebrated by
environmentalists, ecologists and wild life lovers. Striped big cat
or a tiger is one of the most majestic looking beast in the world and
forms an important link in the ecological food chain. It is also one
of the most illusive and cunning animal. Every year, thousands of
tourists flock the reserved forest areas where visitors are allowed
to take their chances for a tiger sighting.
Recently
during a visit to Assam and Arunachal, I had an occasion to travel
through one of the newest tiger reserves known as “Nameri national
park.” This park located on borders of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
has an area of 200 Sq. Km. And hosts 37 tigers. It is needless to say
that since we just passed through the park and had no serious
intention of going on a tiger safari, we did not make any tiger
sightings. However in the same trip, we were hoping for a lucky
chance to have a tiger sighting in the Kaziranga reserved forest, as,
on the previous day, a tiger was believed to have been sighted by
some visitors on a Jeep safari. We had no such luck and had to return
empty handed. Our experience is probably typical of the most of the
visitors, who return disappointed.
I
wonder, if it is so difficult even to sight a tiger, how do forest
officials carry out an accurate census of these beasts that are
cryptic, nocturnal and occur only in low densities?
Writing
in the British Ecology Society journal, Journal of Applied Ecology,
lead author Yadvendradev Jhala from the Wildlife Institute of India,
explains how use of paw prints and faeces offers scientists a fresh
way to determine how many tigers are left in the wild. However Indian
foresters seem to have used state-of-the art technology of double
sampling, using camera traps to estimate the assessment and
distribution of tigers. As many as 9,753 camera traps were set up
for the census with over 100 people trained to use them. There were
1,540 photos of individual tigers aged above a year and a half for
the first time. With this kind of solid proof, very little
extrapolation based on data was required.
(Photo curtsy Mr. Ajit Damle)
(Photo curtsy Mr. Ajit Damle)
(Photo curtsy Mr. Ajit Damle)
So far so good, but what about the future? Ecologists feel that another 1000 to 1500 tigers can be supported across Indian forests through effective protection. What would be required is an effective infrastructure development, that includes safe corridors for animals to pass when there are adjoining forest areas. If there are highways that pass through jungles, suitable underpasses have to be provided so that animals find it easy to cross the roads. With these increasing numbers of tiger population, it is no wonder that India is ready to offer tiger cubs to other nations for releasing them in jungles that are protected from poaching and environment friendly.
23rd
January 2015
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