The tiger is a unique animal which plays a pivotal role in the health and diversity of an ecosystem. It is a top predator which is at the apex of the food chain and keeps the population of wild ungulates in check, thereby maintaining the balance between herbivores and the vegetation upon which they feed.
Tigers and forests are deeply rooted together. They live, breed, and hunt in groves, and as apex predators, these majestic species are a sign of a healthy ecosystem. Protecting tigers also helps safeguard a range of critically important habitats and ecosystems.
Save Tiger Project:
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi initiated a conservation program called 'Project Tiger' in 1973 in Jim Corbett Park, Uttarakhand to save the tigers from becoming endangered. The aim of this project was to create a safe and ideal environmental condition for the survival and growth of tigers and their prey.
What is the significance of tigers in India? Tigers occupy an important place in Indian culture. For ages, it has been a symbol of magnificence, power, beauty and fierceness and has been associated with bravery and valour. The tiger also has a significant place in Hindu mythology as the vehicle of Goddess Durga.
Why do we need tigers?
As a large predator, the tiger plays a key role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. These ecosystems supply both nature and people with fresh water, food, and health. Securing tiger landscapes could help protect at least nine major watersheds, which regulate and provide freshwater for over 800 million people in Asia.
The magnificent tiger, Panthera tigris is a striped animal. It has a thick yellow coat of fur with dark stripes. The combination of grace, strength, agility and enormous power has earned the tiger its pride of place as the national animal of India.
As per the survey conducted in 2018, India's Tiger population stands at a total of 2967 which is 70 per cent of the global tiger population.
Why are tigers killed?
Tigers are poached for two main reasons: their threat or perceived threat to wildlife and/or people and monetary gain. Historically tigers were poached for furs. While there are still some sold illegally, increased public awareness campaigns and international trade controls have reduced this demand.
How can we save Earth by saving tigers?
Saving the tiger means indirectly saving the forests and in turn saving the environment that is reeling under global warming due to massive deforestation. Felling trees take away the precious soil, leaving behind a wasteland. The soil jams up our lakes and dams, reducing their ability to store water.
The tiger is not just a charismatic species. It’s not just a wild animal living in some forest either. The tiger is a unique animal which plays a pivotal role in the health and diversity of an ecosystem. It is a top predator and is at the apex of the food chain and keeps the population of wild ungulates in check, thereby maintaining the balance between prey herbivores and the vegetation upon which they feed. Therefore the presence of tigers in the forest is an indicator of the well-being of the ecosystem. The extinction of this top predator is an indication that its ecosystem is not sufficiently protected, and neither would it exist for long thereafter.
If the tigers go extinct, the entire system would collapse. For e.g. when the Dodos went extinct in Mauritius, one species of Acacia tree stopped regenerating completely. So when a species goes extinct, it leaves behind a scar, which affects the entire ecosystem. Another reason why we need to save the tiger is that our forests are water catchment areas.
When we protect one tiger, we protect about 100 sq. km of area and thus save other species living in its habitat. Therefore, it’s not just about saving a beautiful animal. It is about making sure that we live a little longer as the forests are known to provide ecological services like clean air, water, pollination, temperature regulation etc. This way, our planet can still be home to our children.
Written by: Jeevanantham G.
.jpeg)
0 Comments