The Hindu : New Delhi News : On a mission to save the tiger

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Monday, Jun 08, 2009
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On a mission to save the tiger

‘Concerned’: Bittu Sahgal

Without the tiger, India would not just lose its spirit but also its hope of survival in an era of climate change, says environmentalist Bittu Sahgal in a chat with Madhur Tankha

He is on a mission to save the majestic tiger from the brink of extinction. Mumbai-based environmentalist Bittu Sahgal says the alarming increase in tiger poaching incidents in our depleting forests has resulted in serious ecological changes.

Spearheading national campaigns to save the tiger from annihilation for decades, Bittu is worried about the diminishing tiger population in the country.

“I am fighting to protect the tiger because I know that without them India will lose not just its spirit but also its hope of survival in an era of climate change. Paradoxically, the tiger has vanished from more than half of our country’s former habitat within five decades due to human land use patterns that have pillaged forested India. Connecting forest corridors that are vital for wildlife movement and genetic exchange have fallen prey to agricultural fields, canals, mines, power projects and dams.”

‘Denotify protected areas’

Pointing out that deforestation and depleting prey base were the main reasons behind the rapidly declining tiger population in the country, Bittu says tigers need food, shelter and the absence of human disturbance.

“It is not lack of protected areas that is affecting tiger populations but rather the willingness of the government to denotify protected areas and dilute wildlife and forest laws.”

Stating that if the tiger and the people of the sub-continent were to survive, both the Centre and State Governments must accept the logic of protecting wildlife habitats, particularly the critical tiger habitats, Bittu says: “For establishing and maintaining high density source populations of tigers, it is essential to set aside inviolate areas devoid of human presence within each landscape. These source populations should be connected through multiple use forests (buffers and corridors). There are no easy solutions but it is not impossible.”

‘Tiger estimation exercise’

Shedding light on the works presently going on under Project Tiger, the environmentalist says: “Project Tiger seeks to protect critical tiger habitats as a way to protect the tiger and all other species that reside therein. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, was amended in 2006 to incorporate the creation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority to serve as a multi-faceted apex body for formulating policies and guidelines for conservation in tiger reserves. The NTCA, working with the Wildlife Institute of India, has embarked on a rigorous ‘tiger-estimation’ exercise. However, it still needs to work more closely with the States to push for tiger conservation and develop site-specific plans to reduce human-wildlife conflict and provide livelihood options for locals and voluntary relocation of people as well.”

‘Under pressure’

Expressing concern that most States have not recruited forest guards for several years, Bittu says the existing workforce is aging. “Apart from this, the forest departments of almost all States are under-funded and under-supported. Forest departments are under tremendous pressure. They do not have modern navigation or combat equipment and no facilities or amenities are extended to them or their families. The whole functioning of the forest department needs a massive overhaul so that they can work without interference from political high-ups. Staff must be properly trained and motivated and only the truly committed individuals employed,” adds the environmentalist, who has also produced over 30 conservation-related documentaries.

Born in Shimla in 1947, Bittu says he grew up believing that forests were always going to be a part of his life.

“When I discovered how ruthlessly forests everywhere were being cut, I began to defend, first one, then the other. In the process I fell in love with all things natural. I edit Sanctuary magazine, which is a sort of junction for all kinds of wildlife news and where people who love and are concerned about wildlife interact. I was there when Project Tiger was born and Kailash Sankhala, its first Director, was an inspiration for me.”

Pointing out that 25 per cent of India’s greenhouse gas emissions were due to deforestation, Bittu says the climate change will impact the country’s food, water and economic security. “When forests are logged or burnt, carbon is released into the atmosphere, thereby increasing the amount of greenhouse gases and thus accelerating climate change.”

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