Did you know India's tiger population has been declining rapidly since the early 20th century?
"A better future for humanity is only possible when our environments are protected and our biodiversity continues to expand." - Narendra Modi
India is home to over half of the world's total tiger population. While it sounds good, the scenario is actually quite alarming if we dig deeper. The big cats once used to roam freely all across the jungles in India, with the numbers being as high as 1,00,000 at the beginning of the 20th century. It started declining drastically with time, and by 1950, the population came to a low of around 40,000. And now it stands somewhere between 3500-4000!
Joy Adamson, naturalist and author, put it perfectly, "Wildlife is something that man cannot construct. Once it is gone, it is gone forever." And we definitely cannot escape the fact that this declining tiger population is a result of our own actions. If we want a balanced biodiversity, it's high time we take the necessary steps to protect those majestic creatures.
Here comes the idea of the International Tiger Day, July 29, that celebrates these endangered species, and raises awareness about the same. Today, on this occasion, let's discuss the key factors behind the issue. Because recognizing these is the first step in the process.
According to experts, the biggest threat to the tigers in India is habitat loss. Thanks to constant urbanization over the past hundred years, forests have been cleared rapidly, making way for highways, industries, and more. Recent data has shown that around 95% habitat for tigers in our country has been lost over the years.
Tigers require large areas to breed properly. And the habitat loss is leaving them isolated, leading to a significant decrease in their numbers.
The ongoing climate change affects every species on the planet, and tigers are no exception at all. Due to the rapid changes in weather patterns, there's a significant reduction in the availability of water and prey for these animals. Particularly in the Sundarbans, the rise of sea levels (a result of climate change) is destroying the forests, making it difficult for the Royal Bengal Tigers to thrive. On the other hand, it has a negative impact on the overall structure of forests, which is another threat to tigers.
There's a high demand for tigers' bones, teeth, and claws in the black market. Several parts of the tiger body are believed to contain medicinal properties for humans, while their skin is considered a status symbol in various cultures. And hence, despite the strict laws and all, tiger poaching is a huge issue in India.
The Indian Forest and Wildlife departments have taken some steps to control it, however, there's no significant reduction in poaching yet. And this is inarguably one of the major threats to the tiger population.
It's our (the humans') dominion over the planet. But what we must understand is the planet belongs to every single creature, no matter how big or small. The declining tiger population is a major threat to our biodiversity and may wreak havoc on our future generations. Hence, this International Tiger Day, let's address the issue and take steps to prevent it from worsening.
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