Dead as a Tiger

I repeatedly mention that the first tiger I ever sighted was a dead one shot at Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh by proud shikaris from Mumbai which our family regularly hosted out of courtesy till legislation put stop to the mayhem. Even after the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 came into the picture, habitual hunters with clout continued with the decimation of the species through guns.

The demand for bones for TCM superseded that of the felt and taken unaware reserves like Sariska and Panna were ransacked over a period of time with the collusion of some forest staff as reported in the newspaper.   

The story of the Indian tiger is a dismal one with centuries of persecution by hunters and severe loss of habitat by settlers, miners, farmers, industrialists, builders, roads, and the usual development mantra. There seems to be no stemming of the scourge with frequent reports of tigers found dead due to poisoning, electrocution, brutalization by humans, and poaching. 

Recently two tigers were found dead within a difference of a day probably both tigers were poisoned as a half-eaten body of a wild boar was discovered nearby. This was at Umred-Pauni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra State. The big cat translocated from Kanha met a similar fate at Satkosia Gorge Tiger Reserve in Orissa. many such incidences have gone unreported and the prognosis is worse. 

Tiger - Teerath Sing 

This is not a news site highlighting the deadly toll of the endangered big cats in India. It is a matter of serious concern, the impunity with which the big cats are being subjected to Barbery. 

There are concerted efforts to save the tiger in India and the recent census has shown a rise in population the next census will certainly show an authentic further rise in the tiger population. But this just acts as a palliative to mitigate our concern the truth is that the numbers even after the latest rise are precariously low.  And the continuing seizure of natural lands with the capacity to host the big cats in the country is real. The predator survives in highly suitable habitats with the ecosystem intact, these are the dense tropical forests and tall grasslands with forests. Without cover it is difficult for these carnivores to obtain their food hence extinction will become imminent with extensive habitat loss.

Tigers are surviving in the country because of inviolate zones or protected areas created all over...and this is an absolute must. No romantic illusions regarding the survival of this species alongside human settlements in critical tiger habitats should be entertained. 

Humans are tribal, farmers, or whatever ravages natural lands with impunity as we have seen throughout this century. The PA concept has worked with strict protection according to the species. 

But is the protection enough? 

Frequent incidences of the predators being killed is a serious matter and augur a threat perception that holds true. In order to protect our tigers greater vigilance, political will, and human consideration enhanced by creating awareness among the masses is a prerequisite. 

Translocation with alacrity is a recent phenomenon bolstered by technology that has been instrumental in moving the predators to vacant premises i.e to reserves with thin tiger density. This is a positive conservation measure. In some reserves like at Kanha National Park, orphaned cubs are being reared in natural circumstances to instill in them the wild instincts and ability to make kill themselves and thus sustain themselves in the wilderness.    

After doing so much the wildlife managers in conjunction with the administration - the latter often lacking commitment - will have to be proactive and dig down further to find out hidden issues and future conflicts threatening the existence of this animal in the country.     

The concept of a protected area with an inviolate core has proven to be a boon for the beleaguered big cat. Unhindered by human activities like the destruction of forests and hunting they are recovering grounds in the well-protected reserves. Paradoxically in most cases of endangered species regeneration macro solution plays a major role. The issues related to breeding, disease, and inbreeding will come to the fore later, especially concerns will be of the latter two. 

Macro solutions for saving endangered species require discovery and a political will to execute and complete dedication for a solution whence it emerges. A half-hearted approach vis a-vis conservation has always backfired often with abject failure. The case of Great Indian Bustard is giving troubled sleep to conservationists and nature lovers. Merely planning on paper and making a project does not end in success until unless commitment to the actions highlighted is followed.

Till the status of nature conservation efforts and projects in India emerges from that of being relegated there is little hope for many endangered species to survive including the tiger. 

Will we be able to hold our heads high as a nation if we fail these enigmatic tertiary predators that the entire world wants to see?                

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Uday Freelances as Naturalist in Central India. He is an avid birder and tiger enthusiast. He blogs on tigers, wildlife, and birds. He also writes about the environment and conservation.

Uday also provides SEO Services and Website Contents in English. He teaches Digital Marketing in Jabalpur in Summer Holidays.
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Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
09755089323 

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Fifty Years of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

I remember sighting my first-ever male tiger at Bandhavgarh in 1974. This was at Kill Khuta where bait was tied overnight to attract a tiger. Well, it was successful, but I could see the magnificent beast only at the fag end of the day.  

Tiger

The forest belts encompassing the Vindhyan Ranges near Umaria were constituted as National Park in the year 1968. This was earlier the hunting reserve of erstwhile Maharajahs of Rewa. Mohun the first and only white tiger found in the wild was discovered somewhere in these forests by HH  Martandsingh Deo. The discovery threw light on the remote and isolated kingdom of the tiger. 

Fort Wall

Temple

Look Out

The success as a conservation unit was augured whence Bandhavgarh was brought under the aegis of Project Tiger, and hence became a tiger reserve. This happened in 1993 and today the big cat population is constantly on the rise surviving in approx 1100 sq. km of Sal forests. The protection accorded to the tiger eventually helped all life forms. They benefited from the enrichment of the ecosystem as a whole and the protection accorded to the habitat niches.

Bengal Tiger

The limelight has also been brought out into the open, with remains of ancient civilizations that once thrived here. While the fort is in ruins many architectural splendors survive and enchant during the safaris.  

Ancient Stable

With the increase in tiger numbers sighting increased as well and Bandhavgarh from a sleepy little reserve became a popular destination as well. Though visited by few interested in the wilderness since its inception, the number of visitors increased substantially in the late nineties. This called for greater tourism infrastructure and as a result, a number of hotels and resorts were built. 

Tourism Gate Bandhavgarh

Tourists flocked from all over the globe to see the legendary tigers as well as amazing birds that thrived in the National Park. Big cats like Banka, Barka, Sita, Charger, and B2 to name a few became legendary and attracted lots of tourists, wildlife photographers, and filmmakers alike. The reserve also contains training and research centers. Animal translocation and disease management are crucial elements of conservation and the techniques are being applied here.  

Leopard

Apart from conservation, the park benefited immensely from the thriving tourism industry. Jobs and small businesses fulfilling the needs of tourists increased fourfold and the empowerment of local communities took place rapidly.                

Reclining Vishnu 

Today the park is one of the fifty tiger reserves set up in India. But the name and fame of Bandhavgarh continue to climb higher and higher. With greater efforts, the tiger population in the reserve is going to increase thus helping in fetching the animal species out of danger of extinction. 

Sambar deer

Hotels

Image Courtesy Tirath Singh

The Vanishing Leopard in India

One Starry Night in The Forest

The female must have been waiting to cross over the road whence my jeep intruded on the serene ambiance of the starry night. Thwarted by the strong headlights the disturbed leopard stood still peering into the ghostly darkness at the bizarre animal in the metal contraption. 

My staff had whispered as we were negotiating the bend on the highway near Jabalpur my hometown. 

"Shining Eyes Sir!"  

It was eleven pm, and I was returning after a busy day purchasing tendu leaf from the Government godown at Kundam about forty km from Jabalpur in the hinterland. There are few places in urban India endowed with forests as good as Jabalpur...albeit losing ground fast due to intruding urbanization.

The reserve forests are losing crown cover here and hold a scarce prey base that supports few remaining leopards desperately surviving. I was also able to come across tigers mating here in the denuded confines of Baghraji Forests perhaps trying to revive their population coming to a definite end in this vanishing wilderness.       

Upon notice by the staff, I brought my jeep to a halt and then reversed. "Point out where exactly you see the eyes reflecting." I switched out the headlights and waited for some time before moving towards the bush where the reflecting eyes were noticed. Pointing my jeep towards the bush I switched on my torch.    

Not one but four pairs of eyes shone as I threw my torch around the bush. It was a female with three cubs about seven feet from us staring at the spectacle of humans in an open jeep. A few decades back this would have been a normal sighting but in these beleaguered times, this was a rare instance. 

"She will get us!"

I was too engrossed in the spectacle to be cautious about the proximity. I could hear her warning coughs as I put the jeep in forward motion. The story had a sad ending, one of the cubs was poisoned a year after and another ended at a police station platform in broad daylight. The fate of the animals was not known thereafter.   

Leopard Cub

Leopard Female

The Status

The status of leopards in India is on a steep decline. The drastic loss of habitat and the ensuing man-animal conflict is resulting in the endangerment of this beleaguered feline species.  As per the recent news, more than a hundred leopards have been found dead in a spate of two months all over India. This is an alarming figure and the rot does not in any manner seems to stem.  

The rapid decline of feline species speaks of our callous attitude towards wildlife and their habitats in general. The situation is further compounded by the colonial legacy which labeled wild animals as vermin especially the predators in India. Unfortunately, wildlife conservation finds only lip service in the country and no major policy decision takes into consideration the preservation of our heritage wilderness wealth. 

The phenomenal diversity is fast disappearing now limited to protected areas and that too the ones receiving dedicated inputs. In vast countries a minuscule portion of land is subject to preservation, the rest is being exploited without any concern.

We live in an era that takes into account the well-being of one species only...that is us. Other life forms are shamefully neglected. Our news and political speak are only concerned with economic growth figures, welfare schemes, and rabid industrialization at cost of crucial natural resources and of course our health. Society has become so human-centered that we consider other life forms as unimportant and often a big nuisance.  

The attitude will certainly result in warming, water scarcity, pollution, lack of productivity that sustains us, and chaos. Name it and you have it. Beware!              

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The image of predators as bloodthirsty rogues is permanently etched in our minds and that shapes our attitude. Albeit hunting is banned by the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, mass-scale lynching by humans on intruding leopards is a frequently occurring event. Poaching by electrification finds no solution and rising prices of wildlife products are an ever-looming threat the country faces.  

The Vedas preached conservation in an ecosystem known as Hinduism in many thoughts originated and survives till today irrespective of extreme divergence. Why are we not following the sound principles preached by our ancestors as regards nature?      

In the bygone era, wild animals including tigers and leopards lived in close proximity to human populations. The conflict was limited to one odd instance of a man killing in urban scapes... not anymore. Man-eating was due to advancing settlements and reducing prey base. All this good was due to ample forests/habitats prevailing before the denudation took place. Our greed for rabid urbanization, uncontrolled agriculture, and illicit wealth generation has taken a heavy toll on natural places all over and the disastrous practices continue. Human beings in any shape, size, and type have repeatedly shown extreme neglect of their surroundings affecting the health of the habitats and ecosystems prevailing they are in. There is hardly any inviolate space left for other life forms in our country.

The decline of wild animal populations started with bounty hunters and elite sport during the Raj, and the large-scale conversion of forests into agriculture fields not forgetting the ever-increasing settlements. Another age-old activity that has had far-reaching consequences was and is commercial forestry and wood logging.     

Poaching has a substantial role in the large number of leopard deaths that take place every year. This sounds like a death knell for the feline species as the population is estimated below ten thousand all over the country. 

Poaching and denudation is the major threat to our wilderness and strong protective mechanism and conservation practices are the need of the hour. The onus is on the Indian administration and politicians who shape our policies. But this does not keep the general population out of the loop. People's participation and awareness will go a long way to preserving or we will certainly lose our heritage.

Images By Suttons UK.        

Conservation Ethos in India - Impact of Vedas

With the passing away of Mr. Anil Dave a seasoned politician and river conservation enthusiast, a great loss has occurred. The loss is not of a political party alone, it is a serious setback for the conservation in India.     

Albeit the scope of river conservation (NCRD) under the Ministry of Environment and Forests is greater with the inclusion of lakes and other water bodies. It nevertheless points out the value system we uphold in this country. 

Most rivers in India have always had a holy status with the usual connotation of "mother." The connotation does not point out the belief as being illogical it should be seen from a wider perspective. This is a shrewd way of according importance to an element of ecological importance. The credit goes to the Vedic system which originated about five thousand years back during the peak of the Indus Valley Civilization in India.

As Indians, we should believe in the system as Vedas have had an indelible impact on our lives since time immemorial. Likewise, the connotation specifying things as motherly or holy is used in many instances, especially elements that are of ecological importance like trees, animals, reptiles, birds, and others. 

Hence the status Mother or Holy is applicable to Ganges or Narmada since they played a significant role in the upbringing of ancient civilizations in the country...they still do. Such connotations just act as a subtle means of adding value. The Vedic civilization has been instrumental in creating such a value system during its prevalence all over India. The value system is a logical address to the creation of cultural values rather than being religious in nature.          

Whatever may be the causes of the degradation of the environment in India. An impressive shred of environmental degradation is the history of imperialism, the impact has also been brought about by our greed, ill-planned land use, and rapid industrialization. 

The negative impact has been mitigated by this value system to a good extent. By this I mean there is still hope for saving the tiger and other species, cleaning the polluted rivers, regenerating niche ecosystems, and bringing about responsible change in how we govern the country and our society.  

The ethos of the Vedic System is ingrained in our psyche consciously or otherwise, It is perpetually instrumental in auguring us towards a more conservation-oriented approach vis a vis nature. The results of impact are obvious whence we take into consideration the efforts being made towards the conservation of animals, birds, rivers, habitats, and the environment as a whole in the country.      

The ancient Vedic civilizations in India were fully cognizant of the impact of environmental degradation on our lives. It was well known for ages that human activities could cause disruptions in weather patterns, temperature, rainfall, and agriculture. The ancient scriptures contain references to aspects of ecological importance and how to prevent damage and augur forth a positive impact.

With all the knowledge stored in the ancient treatises, we should be at the forefront of conservation and hence climate change in the World. 

Dryland Forests

The scarcity of trees defines these water-scarce forests. Most of these in India are heavily populated or have a number of settlements which have contributed to their mistaken classification as urban land. The relatively low density of trees makes it difficult to classify them as forests. But nevertheless, they contribute to ecosystems with carbon absorption capacity. 

The dryland forests are generally classified as arid or hyper-arid and contain a varying degree of water and floral elements. These types of forests are widespread and due to weak tree cover are often usurped by settlers, urban colonizers, and by industries. 

Water scarcity in these biomes does not mean a complete absence of water rather the crucial element is present on the surface. Biodiversity does support millions of people. 

Ironically most arid tropical forests have turned into dryland after severe deforestation in countries like India.  Most agriculture takes place by using stored surface water during a suitable period.

It would be interesting to study wildlife prevailing in arid conditions. Most of the open country mammals and birds should be present in the dryland forests.

Interesting Reading on Dryland Agro Forestry 

Tiger Conservation: Tigress Electrocuted

Another One Down. 

This time near the Sidhi Tiger Reserve in Central India. The tigress met with a torturous end after being electrocuted by electric lines. She was in care of three cubs which may as well die. This is absolute tragedy.

The Deadly Lines

The eleven KVA lines work across the whole nation, but they are misused near the tiger reserves. Even humans, and poachers (sic) have died, the latter entrapped in their own evil mechanism. The menace poses a serious threat and should be curtailed by all means.

The related incidences have occurred at Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and now Sidhi. They might be occurring elsewhere without fail.  The incidences have occurred with a degree of regularity. I believe a solution was provided by an NGO...covered wires to be used near the reserve, but they are rotting in the store.    

Until unless we do not consider all elements of tiger conservation seriously,saving the critically endangered species will be an arduous task. The these incidence continue to happen, and are miserable. They speak of  volumes of how seriously we take conservation of carnivores in India. 

This is not end since we lose predators, wild elephants and other animals to railway tracks and highways as well. This is also a regular occurrence.

These death raise serious questions especially whence these have been occurring since decades in India. Surprisingly no solutions have been found or are we not bothered at all?

We do not wish to see the back of this one. IC Teerath Singh

Why do we not impose speed limits to an extent the accidents are avoided?

Do these issue appear to be non glamorous to our wildlife managers and policy makers?

Is there a serious thought accorded to these issues? Well it does not seem so!    

At present juncture we cannot afford to lose a single tiger or a leopard. Same applies to all life forms without prejudice. A comprehensive policy should be framed for conserving critically endangered species, taking into consideration all elements that pose a threat to their survival.

More Tiger Deaths By Electrocution

Tiger Conservation - Successful Breeding - Bandhavgarh

Success has come but is it too late. Recently a major newspaper reported the birth of forty-six tiger cubs in Bandhavgarh National Park. This is heartening news but there is more to it. The survival rate of cubs is equally important. 

Tigeress with 4 cubs

In a well-managed protected area, tiger breeding has been at its apex. Thanks to constant protective and related conservation practices tigers in parks like Bandhavgarh have increased. 

Tigress With Cubs

Left on their own the tigress are very protected and zealous mothers. She leaves no stone unturned in order to protect her progeny.  But survival in the wild is tough the babies may be killed by other predators whence in infancy. They die often killed by a male tiger who has not sired them. Albeit there is no shortage of prey sometimes injury to the mother may result in the cubs dying of hunger. This often takes place in a territorial fight with another female or an intruding male. Last but not least is the threat of poachers.   

Tiger

The threats to the survival of young tigers are increasing every day as fiction surrounding humanity has increased with expanding populations. 

Young tigers

Nevertheless birth of tigers is a moment of celebration and extreme joy. Every birth augurs hope that the majestic carnivore the largest among big cats will survive for eternity. 

Here are some pictures of tigress and cubs photographed at Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The Indian Reserve is one of the finest habitats for big cats and other mammals. There are more than forty tigers surviving in the park.   

Kids Nature Trail - Pariyat Lake Jabalpur

Catch Them Young

These are photographs of School Children Nature Trail  a program for conservation education and initiation into conservation by DFO Jabalpur Mr.H.S.Mohanta. Avidly involved with the programs Mr. Mohanta regularly organized nature trails for many schools. His efforts brought awareness of environment among many many school children and the teachers.      

I was part of many such nature trails and loved interacting with the children of all ages. This was my contribution if not much to create nature awareness among the children. This event took place in 2013 March. 

Bird watching was the main activity to initiate them into admiring nature and hence love and respect it. The DFO Office kindly provided the children with good quality binoculars. Refreshments were served at the end of the event.

Picturesque Pariyat Lake near Jabalpur is famous picnic spot harboring marsh crocodiles, wetland birds and wildlife in the surrounding forests.

Lecture

Lecture

Starting The Trail

Pariyat Lake

Bird Watching and Understanding Nature

 

Bandhavgarh - Tiger Safari in the Buffer Zone

The buffer zones in the tiger reserves have been created for the protection of critical tiger habitats inside the core zone. Well, they do just that but for how long. The sordid state of affairs in most of the reserves in India is denuding the remaining forests in the buffer zones. All natural lands are being consumed by burgeoning humanity and rapid urbanization. Perhaps tourism in the buffer area would protect and result in preventing further denudation. I think all tracts of natural lands should be developed for tourism or some such purpose that would justify their existence.     

The biggest reason for the sad plight of tigers in India has been the bounty killings during British Rule. This was followed by the rapid conversion of natural lands into agricultural fields. The third big reason was large-scale culling (hunting) by the dignified lot during British Rule and equally vehemently in the post-British Era.

Most of the butchers are now dead not having contributed to India in any manner whatsoever and many have been the satraps of the British Empire making them rule this country with a handful of sahibs.  

*Mention of British Rule has historical connotation and just that.  

Tiger By Teerath Singh

The Legacy 

The destruction of the amount of natural land especially the forests has been appalling in the country. All that is left are small pockets with limited capabilities they are just larger than zoos.  The harbinger of rights is going to be the next big cause of the demise of the striped hunter if idiotic legislation is passed transacting our protected areas. I believe the forest rights bill could be it albeit I have not gone through it. The status is so depleted that there is no room even for rectifying historical injustice as portrayed.      

Populist measures are an interplay of democracy... its the vote bank... we will have to teach tigers to vote.  Or let's vote on behalf of tigers for those who actually care for our environment holistically and preserve it in practice.  

The Chinese threat looms large... I mean the medicine mongers here. Will we be able to save our tigers? Well, the rise in numbers is encouraging but then euphoria dies down as it did during the Project Tiger period. The number of big cats is critically low and they need larger protected areas devoid of human settlements and totally inviolate. All the sanctuaries should be vacated with full compensation, well protected and ecosystems regenerated. This should happen in the field and not just on paper.      

Anyway, opening up of buffer zone for tourism in Bandhavgarh and Kanha will open up this area. More people will be able to go on tiger safari. This will also mean greater attention to this neglected ecosystem   

Leopards in Trouble

The worst news for nature lovers is the death of the big cats. Critically poised on brink of extinction the big cats are entirely at the mercy of the poachers, greedy and the developers. Habitat destruction and systemic hunting have been the major factors behind the endangerment of this species.   

The leopards survive in wider habitats as compared to the tiger. They are more likely to be found near human habitations even those devoid of forests. The enormous ability to survive should auger a good future but this is not so leopards are being killed at rapid pace in India. They are the greater victim of man animal conflict than the elder cousin.

Leopard Dharmagiri

Recently two leopard were found in the vicinity of Barhi Forests near Bandhavgarh National Park. The dead bodies were found in a spate of few days. This does not augur well since the pattern is suggestive of organized poaching. Though the post mortem reports and viscera analysis drown in the length of the time this repeated tragedy is suggestive of poaching gangs operating in and around the verdant forests of Bandhavgarh National Park.  

I have been visiting the Barhi Forests as a naturalist at Muchmucha Lodge since some time. The wildlife is impressive by all means though the forest face denudation near the villages in this area. 

Leopard Dharmagiri

Most of the tragedies are taking place due to callous attitude of those in charge, while some may be involved in the nexus. There have been cases of electrocution of animals including the tiger in Central Indian Tiger Reserves. These have been happening since a number of years but no substantial solution is in the place. All this points to total disregard  for our wild denizens and their habitats. Conserving wilderness in protected areas is not enough there should be concerted efforts to protect it irrespective of the status of land. 

         

Endangered species in India

There are plentiful species in India that are threatened or near threatened. The threat level is based upon population statistics, habitat destruction, poaching or hunting by tribal, disease prevalence, and changing land use patterns - expansion of villages around the ecosystem. Weather and climate play a role as well but most of the species are highly adaptable to withstand such changes unless drastic.

Some species may be less in nature or survive only in niche ecosystems by nature's design. Nevertheless, they are always threatened due to the limited population or few remaining niches. One example is Hard Ground Barasingha which survives in the grasslands of Kanha National Park. Birds like Siberian Crane have not become extinct but the stock that used to migrate to India in winter has.   

Species facing extinction or near extinction are:

• Tiger
• Wild Dog
• Indian Wolf
• Asiatic Lion
• Leopard
• Asiatic Black Bear
• Fishing Cat
• Desert Cat
• One Horned Indian Rhino
• Indian Wild Elephant 
• Capped Leaf Monkey
• Ganges River Dolphin
• Swamp Deer
• Hispid Hare
• Indus River Dolphin
• Hoolock Gibbon
• Red Panda
• Snow Leopard
• Banteng
• Brown Bear
• Clouded Leopard
• Ganges River Dolphin
• Himalayan Musk Dear
• Asiatic Golden Cat
• Nilgiri Tahr
• Nilgiri Langur
• Lion Tailed Macaque
• Golden Langur
• Wild Goat
• Wild Yak 
• Jenkin's Shrew
• Mouse Deer
• Malabar Large Spotted Civet
• India Gazelle
• Namdapha Flying Squirrel
• Sarus Crane
• Black Necked Crane
• Pygmy Hog
• Black Necked Stork
• Salim Ali's Fruit Bat
• Green Avadavat
• White Rumped Vulture
• Sumatran Rhinoceros
• Long Billed Vulture
• Wroughton's Free-Tailed Bat

Fragmented habitats are imposing a serious threat of inbreeding among many species especially the tigers in India. Due rampant destruction of trees and grasslands for fuel wood and fodder is another cause of habitat loss. In the case of insects and birds apart from habitat loss, chemicals used by humans are reducing their breeding capacity.    

In the case of many species especially birds the status is unknown due to difficulty in gauging the numbers and migratory behavior. Research is crucial to uncover hidden facts behind decreasing number of species. 

Prevention

The common man can play a crucial role in preventing species extinction and habitat conservation in the country. 

The only solution to prevent extinction is habitat conservation and its expansion. This could be done by allocating abandoned land for habitat regeneration near the ecosystem. Relocation of villages inside wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks in India. 

Conservation of crucial natural resources, encouraging usage of renewable energy. A discouraging industry that depends heavily on wood - use less paper and recycle it. Discourage urbanization and industrial development near fragile ecosystems. 

Preventing wildlife crimes like poaching and illegal logging.  Responsible tourism with profit sharing by the hospitality industry. Fighting for pro-active policies for nature conservation.

Living in an eco-friendly manner in order to conserve natural resources. Love all life forms and throw away any myths and fears that encourage the vermin attitude. 

The diversity that exists in the wildlife of India is amazing and mind-boggling. Indian wildlife is our inheritance, it is crucial for our survival since we are very much dependent on nature. 

Every citizen of India should be concerned about nature and the environment. All life forms are interlinked hence their survival is crucial to us all. As our culture speaks we must respect all life forms on Earth. 

Indian Wildlife

Documentation of Indian Natural history goes back to the Vedas. The growth of Indian natural history in the modern era is due to the keen interest shown by the British rulers. India with its diverse landscape, fauna, and flora caught the eye of the British naturalists many of whom were in administrative service while serving in India.

The Vedas are the earliest record that lists the names of 250 species of birds besides notes on various fauna and flora. The Vedas mention brood parasitism in Koel. The method of capture, taming and eventual training of wild elephants in India was documented in a text dated 2000 years back.

The fauna and flora of ancient India are represented in clay potteries and tablets excavated from ancient civilizations. The protection of animals and forest conservation was first recorded in the Mauryan period, especially during the period when Ashoka became a Buddhist and relinquished royal hunting.

Among Moghul rulers hunting and falconry were regularly practiced and the kings took a keen interest in the documentation of nature Jehangir and Babur being the foremost. The notes from hired scribes during the Moghul rule indicate the wide range of many animals which are now locally extinct in those areas.

During the British Raj, Indian Civil Services employed British naturalists many of whom studied Indian natural history out of curiosity while other collected wild species for naturalists and museums in Europe and Great Britain. Unfortunately, the destruction of forests and hunting went on a large scale by Indian princes and British royalties. As a result, the lion was reduced to a small pocket in Gujarat and the India Cheetah became extinct. The precarious state of the Indian tiger is a result of indiscriminate poaching and habitat destruction.

During the British rule and post-independence period Bombay Natural History Society has done commendable work on Indian natural history by studying and recording nature and wild animals in India. Society is engaged in productive activities and nature conservation as well.

India records around 1300 species of birds including sub-species while there are more than 300 mammalian species. The list of reptiles and insects including butterflies is also very impressive. Due to the influence of various zoo geographical zones Indian wildlife is unique.

Many wild species in India are threatened with extinction and wildlife itself survives in badly fragmented pockets. The tiger is one such case where the population has decreased to a few thousand from estimated forty thousand during the British Raj.

Most of the flora and fauna in India now survive in tiger reserves, Indian National Parks and sanctuaries scattered all over the country, and contiguous forest belts are rare and diminishing. For tourists wildlife safaris at the conservation areas, NPs, and tiger reserves are the best way to see the tiger and other Indian wild animals.

Most of the National Parks and wildlife resorts have tourism zones for tiger safaris and bird watching. These are popular for tiger sightings, wildlife photography, and watching wild animals like deer and lesser carnivores. The most popular reserves in India are Corbett National Park, Ranthambhore, Kaziranga, Manas, Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh also Pench in Central India.

End of the season

With the start of the monsoon, the park closes to tourists. Every year the park closes down on 3oth June and re-opens on 16th October this year. This gives much rest and privacy to the wild animals of the park.

But one negative aspect of the absence of tourists is that the park becomes more susceptible to poaching another reason for this is the turbulent rains which make traversing many areas of the park difficult even for the elephant patrol. The whole staff including the guides are involved in safeguarding the park and protecting the animals from marauding poachers. It is hard work for the park staff to look after the wild animals and forests. This is a true conservation effort and the staff should be rewarded by tourists and all for this if nothing more.

The activities in hotels in Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, and other Indian tiger reserves comes to an end. It is time for rest for the hotel staff and the managers much needed. Servicing the guests is a difficult task what with most of the resources being fetched from major towns.

The timings for the staff are very tough during the season. They have to get up as early as 3.3 am in the bitter cold after having gone to sleep around 11pm. The immediate task is to prepare breakfast and tea which is offered as a packed brunch too. The visitors are woken up for the park safari after this so that they leave for the gate in time. The whole day is spent doing numerous chores and serving the guests. Most of the staff goes to sleep late and gets up very early with limited rest.

It is very disappointing when some ungrateful guests do not tip them.

Eco-tourism is not only fun and excitement watching rare and endangered species like the tiger. It is responsible tourism as well so all activities that encourage the locals and those involved will go long way in saving our precious natural inheritance.