State alone cannot save wildlife……..Supriya Shelar
Sukhdev Singh Notey has been serving as a Range Forest Officer (RFO) in the Maharashtra Forest Service (MFS) for the last 25 years. He had been associated with the wildlife branch for 16 years, out of which six years he had worked exclusively on Tiger Project and managed to put a check on tiger trade. A recipient of Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Service Award and WWF-PATA Tiger Conservation Award, Notey tells Supriya Shelar some facts about the endangered wild cat
Can you highlight the life cycle of a tiger for laymans understanding?
The scientific name of this magnificent creature is Panthera tigris. Tiger is a solitary and territorial animal requiring large area. A tigress gives birth to 10-15 cubs in her life. A female cub, she keeps with her for 24 months and a male cub for 18-20 months. During this period, she doesnt allow a male tiger to roam around. The average life span of a tiger is 12-15 years in wild and more in captivity. Out of eight species of tiger, three already have gone extinct and India is the home to the Royal Bengal tiger, one of the remaining species. Tiger poaching directly impacts on the other animals in the jungle by disrupting the food chain.
The scientific name of this magnificent creature is Panthera tigris. Tiger is a solitary and territorial animal requiring large area. A tigress gives birth to 10-15 cubs in her life. A female cub, she keeps with her for 24 months and a male cub for 18-20 months. During this period, she doesnt allow a male tiger to roam around. The average life span of a tiger is 12-15 years in wild and more in captivity. Out of eight species of tiger, three already have gone extinct and India is the home to the Royal Bengal tiger, one of the remaining species. Tiger poaching directly impacts on the other animals in the jungle by disrupting the food chain.
Is poaching the only reason behind decline in the number of tigers?
Poaching, whether its for local consumption or for international trade, is the biggest cause of decline in the number of big cats. Particularly, in traditional Chinese medicines, body parts of tiger including its bones, eyes, claws and skin are used widely, for which they have legalised the tiger trade. Although curbed in open market, the tiger trade is still high in black market in Asia. Not only tigers, but wildlife creatures, right from panthers to butterflies are being smuggled. To your surprise, cocoons of butterflies are supplied to European countries, which after developing into a butterfly, they display as the show peace. The price ranges between 1000-2000 Dollars. The price of tiger skin in the black market ranges from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. However, as far as tigers are concerned, inbreeding is another cause of declining.
Poaching, whether its for local consumption or for international trade, is the biggest cause of decline in the number of big cats. Particularly, in traditional Chinese medicines, body parts of tiger including its bones, eyes, claws and skin are used widely, for which they have legalised the tiger trade. Although curbed in open market, the tiger trade is still high in black market in Asia. Not only tigers, but wildlife creatures, right from panthers to butterflies are being smuggled. To your surprise, cocoons of butterflies are supplied to European countries, which after developing into a butterfly, they display as the show peace. The price ranges between 1000-2000 Dollars. The price of tiger skin in the black market ranges from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. However, as far as tigers are concerned, inbreeding is another cause of declining.
How does inbreeding cause death of the animal?
Every forest has its own genetic pool. As mentioned earlier, tiger, requiring large area, can easily cover 200 km distance at a time. If the animal is kept in captivity, chances of inbreeding are more than that in natural habitat. Genetic variation is healthier sign for propagation of species. If tigers are kept within boundaries, the genetic mutation occurs and animal dies, as happened in Nandankanan, where 13 white tigers were found dead due to genetic mutation. If boundaries are not built, the animal can travel the corridors (the path connecting two neighbouring wildlife sanctuaries or national parks, for example, Kanha and Pench in Madhya Pradesh). Thus gene transfer takes place and chances of survival of the species increases.
Every forest has its own genetic pool. As mentioned earlier, tiger, requiring large area, can easily cover 200 km distance at a time. If the animal is kept in captivity, chances of inbreeding are more than that in natural habitat. Genetic variation is healthier sign for propagation of species. If tigers are kept within boundaries, the genetic mutation occurs and animal dies, as happened in Nandankanan, where 13 white tigers were found dead due to genetic mutation. If boundaries are not built, the animal can travel the corridors (the path connecting two neighbouring wildlife sanctuaries or national parks, for example, Kanha and Pench in Madhya Pradesh). Thus gene transfer takes place and chances of survival of the species increases.
What is the current scenario of tigers in the country?
The Tiger Project began in 1972, and the tiger census was around 800-900. The current census figure is 1,411 and could be even more than that. Currently, the condition of Sariska National Park in Rajasthan is worst due to mining around the tiger reserve, while Karnatakas tiger reserves in Bandipur and Periyar wildlife sanctuary in Kerala are well managed due to the governments intervention. In Maharashtra, Melghat Tiger Reserve was the first tiger reserve, followed by Tadoba. The Pench Tiger Reserve was established in 1999, in the silver jubilee year of the project, which is Indias 25th Tiger reserve. It is the only tiger reserve, which is connected with the other reserve having same name in Madhya Pradesh. I must say that the forest department alone cannot save wildlife. Awareness among citizens and assistance of NGOs is needed for the task.
The Tiger Project began in 1972, and the tiger census was around 800-900. The current census figure is 1,411 and could be even more than that. Currently, the condition of Sariska National Park in Rajasthan is worst due to mining around the tiger reserve, while Karnatakas tiger reserves in Bandipur and Periyar wildlife sanctuary in Kerala are well managed due to the governments intervention. In Maharashtra, Melghat Tiger Reserve was the first tiger reserve, followed by Tadoba. The Pench Tiger Reserve was established in 1999, in the silver jubilee year of the project, which is Indias 25th Tiger reserve. It is the only tiger reserve, which is connected with the other reserve having same name in Madhya Pradesh. I must say that the forest department alone cannot save wildlife. Awareness among citizens and assistance of NGOs is needed for the task.
Does the pug-mark technique is adequate and scientific to estimate tiger population?
Till the recent past, the pug-mark technique was used to count tigers, which had its own limitations. The new advanced method for estimating tiger population is camera trap method, a laser operated technique. The stripe pattern in every animal in cat family is varied from animal to animal, like the finger prints. The new method is very authentic and scientific, as it takes photographs of the animals, ensuring not repeating the same animal and records the daily data. As tiger uses the same path throughout the life, its easy to place the cameras.
Till the recent past, the pug-mark technique was used to count tigers, which had its own limitations. The new advanced method for estimating tiger population is camera trap method, a laser operated technique. The stripe pattern in every animal in cat family is varied from animal to animal, like the finger prints. The new method is very authentic and scientific, as it takes photographs of the animals, ensuring not repeating the same animal and records the daily data. As tiger uses the same path throughout the life, its easy to place the cameras.
What are the frequently-used methods of poaching?
Use of dogs, poison, arms, electrification, explosives, dynamite, crude bombs and traps are common practices for poaching. Bahelia community- a nomadic tribe is highly skilled in poaching. They dont carry equipment with them, but hide them in the forest covered with leaves and twigs. They have thorough knowledge of tiger territory and closely monitor the route of tiger.
Use of dogs, poison, arms, electrification, explosives, dynamite, crude bombs and traps are common practices for poaching. Bahelia community- a nomadic tribe is highly skilled in poaching. They dont carry equipment with them, but hide them in the forest covered with leaves and twigs. They have thorough knowledge of tiger territory and closely monitor the route of tiger.
Where does the forest department lag in preserving the wildlife?
The department does not have forest armoury and forensic lab with controlled samples. Even though highly modern techniques are provided, there is staff crunch. Non-availability of experienced and trained staff is the lacuna of the department. There is no welfare officer in the department to take care of employees. The field officers and security guards, while serving in remote areas, do not get medical aid and tour bills.
The department does not have forest armoury and forensic lab with controlled samples. Even though highly modern techniques are provided, there is staff crunch. Non-availability of experienced and trained staff is the lacuna of the department. There is no welfare officer in the department to take care of employees. The field officers and security guards, while serving in remote areas, do not get medical aid and tour bills.
Can you tell us the experiences of raids you conducted?
There are many to share, but the one I still remember, wherein I fired in the air to protect 9 forest employees including myself, forest guards and vanmajur. Suddenly a group of 50-52 people attacked us and it was the first incident in Maharashtra Forest Department, where I fired for self protection. In another incident, we seized a panther skin from Amdi Phata, near Manchar in Nagpur district with the help of local NGO. I then posed as a trader. In naxalite area, my team faced tough situations.
There are many to share, but the one I still remember, wherein I fired in the air to protect 9 forest employees including myself, forest guards and vanmajur. Suddenly a group of 50-52 people attacked us and it was the first incident in Maharashtra Forest Department, where I fired for self protection. In another incident, we seized a panther skin from Amdi Phata, near Manchar in Nagpur district with the help of local NGO. I then posed as a trader. In naxalite area, my team faced tough situations.