Mensch und Natur

Tiger Conservation and Wildlife Tourism in India
– A Perspective

South Asian Journal of Tourism and Heritage (2010), Vol. 3, No. 1

© 2010 South Asian Journal of Tourism and Heritage

by Subhasish Chakraborty, Travel Writer & Consultant Tourism, Nadia, West Bengal, India

ABSTRACT
The loss of Tiger habitat has significant implications for millions of people on the Indian subcontinent,
even though they may not realize it. But a symbolic link between Tigers and the forests
where they live may be a tool conservationists can use. Ironically, many such people may themselves
be contributing to the despoilation of Tiger and wildlife habitats, not realizing that in the process they
are placing themselves in jeopardy. Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly evident that the longterm
survival of forests and high grasslands in the Indian subcontinent will depend largely on the
establishment of protected areas. The key to increasing the scope of protection is the Tiger. The
importance of biodiversity and the vital role of forests in the ecosystem are vague concepts in the
minds of ordinary people, but the Tiger is something real, something with which they can identify. The
symbolism is important and in time may help people to realize that their own survival is inextricably
linked with that of the Tiger and the Forest. In this Research Paper, the pivotal role that a Sustainable
Wildlife Tourism policy can play in the conservation of wildlife in India’s National Parks & Sanctuaries
have been highlighted.
This is where things stood in 1994, when a Time magazine cover shouted that the Tiger
was “Doomed”, and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbit warned–“There may not be
another chance to save Tigers”. This new crisis galvanized the conservation community. It
became clear that saving the tiger was not a battle to be won once and forever, but a
continual process of holding old threats in check and preventing new ones from emerging as
conditions change. India addressed this crisis with the 1994 formation of the Global Tiger
Forum, an attempt to engage the international community in Tiger conservation. The U.S.
Congress passed “The Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994” to assist conservation
programs in nations with Rhino and Tiger populations. Conservation organizations, such as
the World Wildlife Fund and the Wildlife Conservation Society, launched new programs and
re-energized existing efforts devoted to Tigers. And new conservation organizations
emerged, here and in Tiger range states, to help. Perhaps most important, in the last few
years all of these various players have recognized the need for co-operation among
themselves. Where a century ago more than 80,000 Tigers roamed Asia, because of trophy
hunting and habitat loss fewer than 4,500 exist today. The newest threat is poaching; since
the rise of economic success and prosperity in Asia, the demand for traditional oriental
“tonics” and “remedies” using the body parts of endangered species has skyrocketed. A live
Tiger is precious and priceless, but a dead Tiger is worth $100,000. The Chinese revere the
strength and power of the Tiger, but are “revering” the Tiger to death. According to the Fall
1997 Western Canada Wilderness Committee newsletter, “China has hunted the South China
Tiger from an estimated population of 4,000 in the 1960’s down to the pitiful 20 today”.
Pressure has switched to the Bengal Tiger, whose numbers have dropped from 30,000 after
World War II to less than 3,000 today. It is estimated that China is importing 300-400
poached Bengal Tigers a year from India and Korea another 200-300 from India and
elsewhere. The situation is indeed alarming and the sooner remedial measures are found the
better it is.

 In a new set of directives, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has instructed tiger reserves across the country to put a stop to all “disturbances” in critical tiger areas. To keep tourism at bay — the ultimate aim being to stop it for good in core areas — there is now a ban on signboards, foundation stones and other landmarks meant for the human eyes in these sensitive zones.

“Since the core areas are meant to be kept inviolate for tigers, artifacts like foundation stones, commemorative exhibits, signages, should not be installed at any cost,” the directives say, also calling for a ban on the entry of tourist jeeps, trucks and lorries in these areas. ‘Core’ areas in this context are defined as critical zones in tiger reserves where no human population is permitted as per a 2006 Amendment in the Wildlife Protection Act.

  "The lodge is producing income…. Don’t you see? We’re milking wildlife just like a cow! And drought kills cattle, while elephants and lions survive."

—James Ole Kinyaga, Senior Host of Il Ngwesi Lodge, Kenya 

MILKING THE RHINO examines the deepening conflict between rural Africans and animals in the ever-shrinking African wilderness.

"The Maasai of Kenya and Namibia’s Himba—two of the oldest cattle cultures on earth—are emerging from a century of 'white man’s conservation,' which turned their lands into off-limits game reserves. Now, with a new model of conservation, wildlife is back in their hands and the tribes are vying for a piece of the ecotourism pie. But can poachers become protectors?"

On April 7, the Emmy Award-winning PBS series INDEPENDENT LENS presents David Simpson's MILKING THE RHINO, which examines the deepening conflict between humans and animals in an ever-shrinking world. It is the first major documentary to explore wildlife conservation from the perspective of people who live with wild animals. 

Cultural and Eco-tourism in the Mountainous Regions of Central Asia and in the Himalayas

Tourism is coming to the previously isolated mountainous regions of Central and South Asia. The challenge is to ensure that it is well-managed and that its benefits are shared by all.  

The spectacular mountainous regions of Central Asia, the Hindu Kush and the Himalayas, closed for many years to visitors from abroad, now attract growing numbers of foreign tourists attracted by the unique cultures and natural beauty of these hitherto isolated areas.

Als ein Leopard in ein Dorf eindrang und Menschen angriff, beschlossen einige Männer die Gegenwehr. Mit Stöcken schlugen sie solange auf das geschützte Tier ein, bis dieses tot war.

? TV-Teams sind präsent, die Polizei, Naturschutzkräfte etc. offenbar nicht. Es gab Informanten, denen Medienpräsens wichtiger war, als die Anwesenheit von Gesetzeshütern.

? Die Tötung von geschützten Tieren ist strafbar. Es gibt Aufnahmen der Täter. Welche Maßnahmen sind zu erwarten?

? Wieso ist in der Dorfbevölkerung nicht genug Bewusstsein für das geschützte Tier vorhanden?

? Wie würde sich die Situation des Dorfes ändern, wenn regelmäßig Besucher kämen, um "das Leopardendorf" der Leoparden wegen zu besuchen?