New lease of life for Royal Bengal Tigers
Monday, 6 December 2010
Mohammad Shahidul Islam
Thousand-year old proud legacy, the legendary Royal Bengal tigers will pretty soon say good-bye to us, if we do not do something right now to stop their extinction from the face of the earth. Time is brutal and let us beg pardon of the majestic tigers-please don't leave us alone Excellency! How naive we are? We murder and plan to murder tigers (!) What a shame! Have we done anything for their survival? Who has given us the right to endanger these majestic inhabitants of the Sundarbans? In the present day context, the government should play a vital role in restoring tigers and reviving the flora and fauna of Bangladesh.
Biologically tigers are indispensable for an overall healthy ecosystem. As a top predator in the food chain, tigers help keep prey populations in check. Tigers also have cultural importance. Tigers have symbolised beauty, power, and fierceness for over 5,000 years. It is our pride that we own tigers even if as a nation we are small.
In Asia, tigers have been identified with gods and considered conquerors of evil. Ironically, the belief that tigers hold great power, even in their bones, pathetically is leading to their decline.
Dwindling species of animals such as the tigers are often facilitators of funds and action for habitat preservation. The loss of these big cats could lead to a decline in support for maintaining their ecosystems, and consequently, all of the other plants and animal species that share it.
We thank Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin a million times for hosting the "Tiger Summit" otherwise, we would never have talked or thought at all to understand these majestic animals. The summit has garnered fresh pledges of support to help an iconic species that faces extinction in the wild. The summit also had a Hollywood touch-Actor Leonardo DiCaprio donated US$1 million to the cause, which earned him praise from Mr Putin. This is another lesson for our wealthy, educated and cultural-minded people.
The tiger summit aimed at supporting national efforts to conserve tiger populations, estimated to be less than 3,500. The surviving tigers are at risk of poaching, loss of habitat, and genetic disorders from interbreeding. Russia is among 13 nations classified as range countries for tigers, which include the Siberian subspecies in Russia's Far East and the more common Bengal tiger.
But wildlife groups in Southeast Asia warn that conservation efforts will fall flat unless the governments in question tackle the rampant illegal market in tiger skins and body parts that are driving the poaching business. Of particular concern are lawless border towns in Myanmar that attract buyers from neighbouring China and Thailand. Researchers say that endangered species such as tigers and 'clouded' leopards are sold openly in shops and markets.
Conservationists argue that until China curbs its demand for such products, the underground trade will continue to thrive. China's premier Wen Jiabao attended the St Petersburg summit and said that all countries should enforce laws against poaching. China has banned the sale of tigers and tiger body parts, but allows tiger farms that critics say stoke up demand for wild tigers.
Ms Majumder, senior programmes officer for Freeland Foundation in Bangkok, is sceptical that the summit can fix anything, but insists that saving the species is not a lost cause. "Tigers are really, really resilient. Given half the chance, they'll come back. What we really have to focus on is protecting their areas and going after poachers," she says.
According to Asian superstition, eating the brains of a tiger will cure a person of pimples and laziness. A tiger's penis is nature's Viagra, its testicles can cure tuberculosis and its nose can put an end to epilepsy and convulsions.
When you add up all the parts of a tiger that can be consumed as different remedies for different ailments, a dead tiger is worth about US$50,000, not counting its skin and skull when they are made into a rug.
These largely mythical health obsessions are the main reason why tigers are an endangered species today. The problem is, what actions can one take? Tigers are solitary creatures and a single Siberian tiger, for example, needs a roaming space of about 325 square miles. Other tigers have similar instincts, so providing natural reserves for tigers requires a lot of protected territory, which requires a lot of wildlife officers to protect the animals against poachers, which in turn requires a lot of money that almost no government that has indigenous tigers is prepared to spend. The will to save the tiger is there, but the nations where these magnificent beasts still roam freely mostly do not have the wherewithal to do it. Saving the tiger will require a larger international effort than we saw in St. Petersburg in November.
Whatever the tiger summit-2010 tried to fix, we have to find our own cup of tea. We have to work to save our tigers right now. The government has to prioritise the following measures and must declare crusade to protect tigers and the year 2011 save the tiger year. Through the yearlong programme, we have to implement and monitor the followings:
l Educating local people on the need and benefits of conservation, and making them part of the management process for saving tigers and its habitat. For instance, villagers and government officials in the Sundarbans are working together to build a safe and protected zone as the home of tigers.
l In areas of the Sundarbans, villagers' livelihood should exclude the natural habitat of the tigers. They must be told why we need the tigers. Villagers need to be educated on the importance of soil and water conservation, too.
l Providing practical alternatives to local agricultural practices can improve living conditions and help preserve wild life habitat.
l Properly managed wildlife tourism promotes both education and conservation opportunities. Tours through reserves help to educate locals and tourists. Tourism also generates revenue for the reserves and jobs for the locals.
l Research on tigers in the wild and in captivity enables regulators to make informed, rational decisions regarding species' conservation and management plans.
l Worldwide education can promote the general public awareness of and sensitivity to the plight of the tigers.
l Above all law awarding capital punishment for killing tigers needs to be enacted.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said in the tiger summit that Bangladesh is home to about 400 out of the 32,00 tiger population in the world today. The Bengal Tigers are a majestic animal that forms a very important part of the biodiversity of the Sundarbans. The prime minister has also categorically pointed out that the tigers need to be saved for the continued existence of the Sundarbans-the world's largest mangrove forests and UNESCO world heritage site. And the Sundarbans has to be protected for the survival of the country itself. Her keen observation makes it unambiguous that we need to protect our flora and fauna for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance.
The writer is a National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute faculty, and can be reached at e-mail: shahidbpc@gmail.com
Thousand-year old proud legacy, the legendary Royal Bengal tigers will pretty soon say good-bye to us, if we do not do something right now to stop their extinction from the face of the earth. Time is brutal and let us beg pardon of the majestic tigers-please don't leave us alone Excellency! How naive we are? We murder and plan to murder tigers (!) What a shame! Have we done anything for their survival? Who has given us the right to endanger these majestic inhabitants of the Sundarbans? In the present day context, the government should play a vital role in restoring tigers and reviving the flora and fauna of Bangladesh.
Biologically tigers are indispensable for an overall healthy ecosystem. As a top predator in the food chain, tigers help keep prey populations in check. Tigers also have cultural importance. Tigers have symbolised beauty, power, and fierceness for over 5,000 years. It is our pride that we own tigers even if as a nation we are small.
In Asia, tigers have been identified with gods and considered conquerors of evil. Ironically, the belief that tigers hold great power, even in their bones, pathetically is leading to their decline.
Dwindling species of animals such as the tigers are often facilitators of funds and action for habitat preservation. The loss of these big cats could lead to a decline in support for maintaining their ecosystems, and consequently, all of the other plants and animal species that share it.
We thank Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin a million times for hosting the "Tiger Summit" otherwise, we would never have talked or thought at all to understand these majestic animals. The summit has garnered fresh pledges of support to help an iconic species that faces extinction in the wild. The summit also had a Hollywood touch-Actor Leonardo DiCaprio donated US$1 million to the cause, which earned him praise from Mr Putin. This is another lesson for our wealthy, educated and cultural-minded people.
The tiger summit aimed at supporting national efforts to conserve tiger populations, estimated to be less than 3,500. The surviving tigers are at risk of poaching, loss of habitat, and genetic disorders from interbreeding. Russia is among 13 nations classified as range countries for tigers, which include the Siberian subspecies in Russia's Far East and the more common Bengal tiger.
But wildlife groups in Southeast Asia warn that conservation efforts will fall flat unless the governments in question tackle the rampant illegal market in tiger skins and body parts that are driving the poaching business. Of particular concern are lawless border towns in Myanmar that attract buyers from neighbouring China and Thailand. Researchers say that endangered species such as tigers and 'clouded' leopards are sold openly in shops and markets.
Conservationists argue that until China curbs its demand for such products, the underground trade will continue to thrive. China's premier Wen Jiabao attended the St Petersburg summit and said that all countries should enforce laws against poaching. China has banned the sale of tigers and tiger body parts, but allows tiger farms that critics say stoke up demand for wild tigers.
Ms Majumder, senior programmes officer for Freeland Foundation in Bangkok, is sceptical that the summit can fix anything, but insists that saving the species is not a lost cause. "Tigers are really, really resilient. Given half the chance, they'll come back. What we really have to focus on is protecting their areas and going after poachers," she says.
According to Asian superstition, eating the brains of a tiger will cure a person of pimples and laziness. A tiger's penis is nature's Viagra, its testicles can cure tuberculosis and its nose can put an end to epilepsy and convulsions.
When you add up all the parts of a tiger that can be consumed as different remedies for different ailments, a dead tiger is worth about US$50,000, not counting its skin and skull when they are made into a rug.
These largely mythical health obsessions are the main reason why tigers are an endangered species today. The problem is, what actions can one take? Tigers are solitary creatures and a single Siberian tiger, for example, needs a roaming space of about 325 square miles. Other tigers have similar instincts, so providing natural reserves for tigers requires a lot of protected territory, which requires a lot of wildlife officers to protect the animals against poachers, which in turn requires a lot of money that almost no government that has indigenous tigers is prepared to spend. The will to save the tiger is there, but the nations where these magnificent beasts still roam freely mostly do not have the wherewithal to do it. Saving the tiger will require a larger international effort than we saw in St. Petersburg in November.
Whatever the tiger summit-2010 tried to fix, we have to find our own cup of tea. We have to work to save our tigers right now. The government has to prioritise the following measures and must declare crusade to protect tigers and the year 2011 save the tiger year. Through the yearlong programme, we have to implement and monitor the followings:
l Educating local people on the need and benefits of conservation, and making them part of the management process for saving tigers and its habitat. For instance, villagers and government officials in the Sundarbans are working together to build a safe and protected zone as the home of tigers.
l In areas of the Sundarbans, villagers' livelihood should exclude the natural habitat of the tigers. They must be told why we need the tigers. Villagers need to be educated on the importance of soil and water conservation, too.
l Providing practical alternatives to local agricultural practices can improve living conditions and help preserve wild life habitat.
l Properly managed wildlife tourism promotes both education and conservation opportunities. Tours through reserves help to educate locals and tourists. Tourism also generates revenue for the reserves and jobs for the locals.
l Research on tigers in the wild and in captivity enables regulators to make informed, rational decisions regarding species' conservation and management plans.
l Worldwide education can promote the general public awareness of and sensitivity to the plight of the tigers.
l Above all law awarding capital punishment for killing tigers needs to be enacted.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said in the tiger summit that Bangladesh is home to about 400 out of the 32,00 tiger population in the world today. The Bengal Tigers are a majestic animal that forms a very important part of the biodiversity of the Sundarbans. The prime minister has also categorically pointed out that the tigers need to be saved for the continued existence of the Sundarbans-the world's largest mangrove forests and UNESCO world heritage site. And the Sundarbans has to be protected for the survival of the country itself. Her keen observation makes it unambiguous that we need to protect our flora and fauna for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance.
The writer is a National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute faculty, and can be reached at e-mail: shahidbpc@gmail.com