India, being a host of 70% of global tiger’s population is all set to celebrate international tiger’s day, at this moment it is crucial to reflect upon the past, present and future possibilities regarding tigers in India.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Tigers, nature’s most charismatic and majestic beasts have enjoyed privilege of being at the center of attention. From their pictographs on paleolithic rocks across India to etched representation on Harappan Pashupati seal, their religious association with goddess Durga symbolizing strength and feminine power to several other political implications ranging from Chola rulers using tigers mascots in flags and emblem suggesting their sovereignty; Sher-e-Mysore-Tipu Sultan’s weird obsession with tigers to make them pose on his royal throne and through colonial period’s popular hunting and slaughtering cases where such killings were considered legitimate, tigers skins adorned local ruler’s abode and even were presented as gifts. The grave shift of revering and honoring tigers to almost killing them to extinction is thus apparent.
SYMBOLISM
Tigers are symbolic of power, strength and most importantly resilience. As the nation’s national animal, tigers symbolizes India’s sovereignty, resilience and might. India is home to the great royal Bengal tigers- the largest pecies amongst wild cats, proudly flaunting its heritage affluence. Tiger is thus a symbol of India’s wildlife wealth.
FROM THRIVING TO PERISHING AND TOWARDS REJUVENATION
Post independence era show rapid decline in the population of tigers owing to yet another sadist hobby of hunting. Poaching for teeth, skin, bones was a norm and the tiger remains were smuggled across Asia. Rapid industrialization and deforestation added to tigers’ plight leading to their habitat loss. The dire need to protect this precious wildlife was soon felt. With Indian Board for Wildlife banning killings and exporting of skins and International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) labelling them-endangered species. With the project tiger(1973), tigers zones were exclusively reserved under special protection. Under wildlife protection act amendment(2006), National Tigers Conservation Authority was established to oversee conservation project. India has signed MoUs with Cambodia and Bangladesh to cooperate on protection of this wildlife . Today, there are 58 tiger reserves in India, aimed at preserving exclusive tiger zones and ensuring their survival. Recently, PM Narendra Modi announced ‘International Big Cats Alliance’, conservation campaign for 7 big cats, under which tigers are top most priority.
THE WAY AHEAD
All the campaigns and acts will be rendered futile if common awareness about tiger conservation is not valued. Its crucial to understand their ecological contributions as an apex predator in maintaining population balance and consider not to harm them. Negative human-wildlife interactions needs to get mitigated. Tiger tourism might be pleasing but unnecessary human encroachment is definitely not. Material and logical support is needed to ensure
sustainable livelihood for roaming tigers and their marked territories. International tigers day celebration is a reminder to required collective efforts, commitment and contribution towards tiger conservation from going extinct. If not, nature eventually has its own course.
Myself Hasti Limani. I am a SAMPURN Programme student, which is being taught for UPSC and GPSC preparation at Pramukh Academy. I am a proud student of the most affordable coaching institute for UPSC and GPSC preparation in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. I am also overwhelmed by my experience at Pramukh Academy, which offers top-quality education at the lowest fees with a positive environment. My dream is to become an IAS officer.
