The Science of Saving the Tigers
With the global interest in the long-term viability of tiger populations in the wilds of Asia, especially in India, it was a treat for tiger lovers as they gathered in big numbers to witness the Annual Kailash Sankhla Memorial Lecture – 2012.
Tiger Trust and WWF India jointly organised the Kailash Sankhala Memorial lecture every year since 1996. Themed as ‘The Science of Saving the Tigers’, the lecture was delivered by Padamshri Dr. K. Ullas Karanth, a well-known biologist and scientist who has contributed immensely to the world of conservation. Karanth believes a collaboration of global and local interests can secure a future for tigers in the wild.
Concerned about the state of Tiger Tourism in the country, Karanth laments, “High-end tourism unfortunately has become the trend
The present generation of students are the watchdog for the future of tiger survival Tiger Trust is a national organisation working towards conservation of wildlife
nowadays. This targets spectacular animals such as tigers, lions, rhinos and elephants that attract top dollars. Consequently, in most of the good wildlife reserves, the prices charged for entry, vehicle rides and accommodation have all skyrocketed beyond the reach of average citizens. However, as the size of these reserves or their carrying capacity has not expanded, richer tourists are steadily squeezing out budget tourists.”
Exclusion of the budget tourists is far more likely to undermine long-term public support for wildlife conservation in India than the court’s suspension of tourism in a few high-profile tiger
reserves. To ignore this reality and to portray all Wildlife Tourism as one homogeneous, benevolent entity is highly misleading, he adds.
Going forward, the key to success would be the publicly-owned wildlife reserves that should be accessible to budget travellers at reasonable costs, even as commercial tourism expands outwards in ever widening circles. Suggesting on a new model for the future, the conservationist points out, “I have proposed a model that is closer to the South African model of Wildlife Tourism, which industry advocates now demand in India. This model includes well-run, properly zoned national parks like Kruger that benefit large numbers of less- affluent tourists. These are surrounded and buffered by an expanding network of private reserves catering to visitors with deeper pockets.”
Highlighting the importance of the Tiger Trust, Anjana Gosain, Honorary Secretary, Tiger Trust says, “Tiger Trust is a national organisation working
To portray Wildlife Tourism as one homogeneous entity is highly misleading
towards conservation of wildlife and its habitat with special emphasis on saving wild tigers.” Pinning hopes on the future of tiger and Tiger Tourism in the country, Amit Sankhala, Managing Director, Jungle Lodges feels, “The present generation of students are the watchdog for the future of tiger survival.”.