Going to continue reading about environment issues. But for now I need to shift focus on the few issues EcoServe plans to cover in the coming months.
Two such projects areas would be the Tiger conservation/ Afforestation initiative with the Bombay Natural History Society and Watershed Development.
Tadoba-andhari Tiger Reserve is the pristine and unique eco-system situated in the Chandrapur district of the Maharashtra State of India. With an area of 116.55 sq. km. the Reserve contains some of the best of forest tracks and endowed with rich biodiversity. Tadoba-andhari Tiger Reserve is the largest Tiger Reserve in the State and a part of the 41 Tiger Reserve projects in the country.
The fate of tigers on this planet hangs on a balance. With a current population from around 3500 (1700 of which are in India alone), the tigers are fighting with their life to avoid extinction.
The fate of tigers on this planet hangs on a balance. With a current population from around 3500 (1700 of which are in India alone), the tigers are fighting with their life to avoid extinction.
It’s not just the tigers that need protection. The forests which they inhabit are essential water sheds. Over 300 rivers and innumerable streams originate from India’s 6 major tiger habitats providing water to millions of people downstream, thus contributing to India’s long term water security.
The importance of forests for carbon sequestration, which is critical to mitigating climate change, needs no further emphasis.
The 25,000 km2 of contiguous forests in the Satpuda highlands of this reserve are amongst the world’s most important tiger habitats. If the tigers are to survive, it is at Satpuda, where they have their best chance.
Most of Indian tiger reserves – and Satpuda is no exception – are surrounded by communities whose existence is dependent on the natural resources from the forests. This often gives rise to human-tiger conflicts, which puts additional pressures on the tiger population.
To save the tigers, we need to address the needs of communities that live close to tigers, on an urgent basis.
Tadoba is a prime tiger project within the Satpuda highlands. It has proved to be a breeding ground for tigers. It is here that the tiger-human conflicts are on the rise.
Maximize forests and tiger conservation:
One of the ways to maximize forests and tiger conservation is to create independent resources and livelihood to the communities in the buffer zone so as to reduce their dependence on forests. This can be achieved in a number of ways;
· Developing plantations in the villages and adjoining regions which meet the basic needs of the communities to a large extent.
· Creating additional employment opportunities as a spin off from the plantations,
· Providing support for watershed development, rural water purification and other such ancillary requirements.
Bamboo is the preferred plantation as it not only thrives in these areas but also provides a means for housing, biomass and creates employment opportunities through its multiple uses. The challenge lies in not just planting the saplings but ensuring their survival for at least four years by which time they can thrive on their own.
This like many examples in Racheal Carson’s Silent spring shows that most often to solve a particular problem, it is important to address the associated issues. In this case it is supporting the communities living in symbiosis.
A lot of noise is made about the saving the tiger, but to these tribals they are nothing a nuisance yellow and black that kills their family members. They somehow do not share the concern that a lot of the ecological balance depends on the survival of these predators. Hence highlighting the immediate effects of Tiger conservation to their life in terms of availability of water and maintenance of forest cover can help tap the sympathy and empathy required for Tiger protection. Also in undertaking Bamboo plantation, the tribal’s are primary beneficiaries.
0 comments:
Post a Comment