The Tiger Vs Man Conflict:
For some reason or the other, a part of mankind has always been in conflict with the tiger. He has blamed tigers for all kinds of atrocities that the beasts have made them endure. To some extent this is true but what they don't realize is that unless it is forced to, the tiger would prefer to never leave its beloved jungle.
1. A lot of spite against the tiger is born in the hearts of villagers when an area, which they roamed freely in with their cattle, is taken away from them.
2. The planning and governing bodies of the wildlife department and other related organizations have realized the mistake made by them in the past and are now thankfully rectifying this. The villages now neighboring wildlife reserves are not being treated as enemies of the animals and the forest but are instead being involved in their protection and caring.
3. The villagers earlier were left helpless when cutting of wood in their areas was banned by the authorities once it was declared a national park or a sanctuary. The jungle used to provide them with wood, which used to be their only source of heat in the winters and fuel for cooking.
4. It also provided them with fire that was at times their only means of protection from the animals around. This plight of the villagers, which created so much hatred in them towards the animals, has been finally understood and alternative provisions of fuel are being made available to them.
5. Alternative grazing grounds for their cattle are also being looked at. Hopefully, there will be sufficient practical implementation of the solutions to go with the eventual realisation of the problems.
6. When man encroaches on the land in which the tiger roams and hunts for his own survival, the latter is forced to trespass on the land "belonging" to man. Encroachment of the forest automatically results in the depletion of the tiger's prey species.
7. This in turn forces the tiger into hunting the livestock belonging to man. This once again creates tension between the two and often results in the death of the tiger due to the poisoning, by man, of its kill.
8. The thought of a tiger creates a very violent image in the minds of most people. It is this image that needs to be changed. The tiger is as much a mother, a son, a daughter and a father, as humans are. They kill to feed themselves or their hungry children.
9. The only exception being tigers that have turned "man-eaters". If we can make people see the importance of the tiger's survival and also realize that it isn't a mindless killing machine, we would have won half the battle.
10. The other half of the battle can only be won with guns and patrolling to counter the constant threat to the tiger's survival from poachers. To some extent this threat can be lessened by getting the locals to withdraw any kind of support to these gangs. On the other hand, only well equipped guards and patrols can deliver the telling blow that will make the actual difference.
11. Hopefully, those with the power to make a difference will realize in time and do what ever is required to end the conflict between man and tiger before it results in the extinction of arguably the most awesome being on this planet. The tiger.
CONSERVATION:
There are very few people who understand the true importance of protecting the tiger. Most people feel it is only a matter of saving an animal that makes a beautiful sight to see. This reason only makes up a fraction of why we need to save this incredible animal. The tiger is at the top of the food chain in the jungles that it roams.
1. The following is a very basic description of the chaos that would ensue if the tiger became extinct. If this was to happen, the populations of prey species like spotted deer and Sambhar would burst at the seams.
2. This excessive population would then totally ravage it's food source - vegetation. If the vegetation in the jungles was devastated, where and how would the insects survive? They may even shift to the crops in farmlands.
3. If the plants in the jungles would be finished, what would refurbish the soil? If the soil was no longer fertile, new plants would not sprout. Over the years, this would probably mean the end of the jungles.
5. It isn't necessary for every one of us to take world-awakening steps. All we have to really do is influence those that are a part of our own lives. Obviously, anyone wanting to do more than that is another breath of fresh air for a dying tiger.
6. There are many NGOs and other organizations that are totally dedicated to protecting the tiger. We will try and, as soon as possible, give you a list on this site of such organizations, which you can contact and lend a hand in tiger conservation.
7. It is important to realize at the outset, if you are intending to help in this line that protecting the tiger does not necessarily mean working in operations dealing directly with the tiger.
8. It could easily mean working on assignments dealing completely with villages in Park buffer zones, other animal species, welfare of staff working in reserves, villagers, issues dealing with cattle grazing, etc.
9. The one thing that is common with all these assignments is that they are all directly or indirectly aimed at protecting the jungle and its inhabitants, which obviously includes the tiger.
10. The main thing that requires a mention here is that if you care for the tiger and want to do something about it - the time is NOW. Act - before it's too late.
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