Tiger tourism and India

Wildlife tourism refers to the type of tourism where the motive of the tourist is to experience wildlife in its natural surroundings and admire the beauty of exotic, wild species. Wild life tourism is a debatable concept in India. It has two perceptions where one perception is about setting wildlife apart from tourism to protect the endangered species whereas the second perception is to promote wildlife tourism for the conservation of the species. With 99 national parks and more than 400 wildlife sanctuaries, India has rich population of flora and fauna. Though there are many species of flora and fauna, Tiger has emerged as the most important wildlife tourism product. The 30% percent increase in the last four years has also opened the gates for more people to come see the majestic species in the wilderness.     

Many people are under the impression that India does not have strong wildlife conservation laws. On the contrary, India has some of the most stringent legislations to protect wildlife and habitats. It is also vital to understand which institutions control land in India before any conservation interventions can be attempted in any landscape. The legal status of the land must first be ascertained so that one can engage with the correct authorities or agencies. The Wildlife (Protection) Act (WLPA), 1972 is an important statute that provides a powerful legal framework for prohibition of hunting, protection and management of wildlife habitats, establishment of protected areas, regulation and control of trade in parts and products derived from wildlife, and management of zoos. The WLPA provides for several categories of Protected Areas/Reserves such as National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves. National parks and Tiger Reserves are by law more strictly protected, allowing virtually no human activity except that which is in the interest of wildlife conservation. Grazing and private tenurial rights are disallowed in National Parks but can be allowed in sanctuaries at the discretion of the Chief Wildlife Warden. The amended WLPA does not allow for any commercial exploitation of forest produce in both national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, and local communities can collect forest produce only for their bona fide needs. Community reserves and conservation reserves are two new categories of protected areas that have been included under the WLPA. These two categories provide a greater role for local communities, stakeholders and civil society as well as the opportunity to protect many areas of conservation value that cannot be designated under strict categories such as wildlife sanctuaries or national parks.

Similarly, the National Wildlife Action Plan of 2002 which replaces the earlier plan adopted in 1983 most closely represents an actual policy on protection of wildlife. It focuses on strengthening and enhancing the protected area network, on the conservation of endangered wildlife and their habitats, on controlling trade in wildlife products and on research, education, and training. Mainly, these two laws have deal with wildlife tourism in India. These laws define areas which are open for touristic activities and any kind of touristic activities outside the designated area is punishable by law. This provides protection of the species and on the other hand enables sustainable wildlife tourism. Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, the state governments have to notify the list of core and buffer areas of tiger reserves in their territory. Core zone (critical tiger habitats) i.e. where tigers usually rest, reside, feed and breed. Therefore, Government aims at preventing any disturbance in such areas, including tourism. Buffer zones constitute the fringe areas (The outside boundary or surface of something) of tiger reserves up to 10 KMs where tourism is allowed. An important judgement taken by the Supreme Court in July 2012 was to ban tiger tourism from the core areas of tiger reserves. This was perceived negatively but it had to be done for the protection of the species. But after a few months it was lifted as the absence of tourism might lead to poaching activities.   

Tiger tourism has mainly emerged because of the Project Tiger which is central scheme started in 1973 and is currently being implemented in 41 Tiger Reserves in 17 states. Project Tiger aims at ‘in-situ’ conservation or on site conservation. Project Tiger provides for staff, equipment, and infrastructure in tiger reserves. It also provides compensation, in case a man or livestock is killed by wild animals etc. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body which coordinate, implement and monitor Project Tiger along with preparing annual reports.

There are many pros and cons associated with tiger tourism in India. The advantage from tiger tourism is that tiger tourism sector accounts as a major source of income to the domestic economy. There are towns which depend on tiger tourism such as Ranthambore in Rajasthan where tiger tourism offers direct as well as indirect livelihood opportunities to the local people. Similarly, the state of Madhya Pradesh has recorded high level of employment opportunities for the locals through tiger tourism. Tourism actually has helped in the boom of tiger population as through tourism there are more ears and eyes present on the ground level and presence of tourists does not deter tiger’s willingness to hunt or breed. Through tourism, poaching rate has actually come down and most poaching activities are reported during the off season. Touristic activities also reduce the dependence of the local communities on the forest for their livelihood.

The loopholes in tiger tourism can be noted on the recklessness of the tour operators who offer day and night tours. The amount of chaos due to the vehicles, honking, shouting and flash lights might disturb the tigers. Unsustainable constructions of resorts, guest houses, camps lead to degradation of forests. With more tourists, there will be more wastes which degrade the environment.

Wildlife tourism sector has made India prominent in the world map and in recent years the boom of this sector has also seen the decrease in poaching activities which is one of the reasons for the increase in tiger population. But the problem lies in the fact that other important species are not as lucky as the tiger. The status of the Asian Rhino, Gibbon etc. is reaching the endangered mark and they are still being poached recklessly. No particular scheme is there for such species. The plight of smaller species is also not in good shape. For having a successful wildlife tourism sector, India needs to broaden its horizon and implement schemes like Project Tiger for other species as well.

References:

·         http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/oct/18/india-lifts-ban-tiger-tourism

·         http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/magazines/cover-story/6827-wildlife-tourism-can-india-turn-it-into-a-conservation-tool.html

·         http://www.conservationindia.org/topics/wildlife-tourism

http://www.thewildlifeofindia.com/blog/increase-in-wildlife-tourism-a-positive-step-towards-conservation.html

Human-wildlife conflict: why India need to handle it better

Since evolution of human beings, we have emerged as the biggest predators of all time. The industrial revolution triggered modernity and development across the globe which has both been a boon (economically) and a bane (environmentally) for humanity. The hunger for development has led to the loss of precious wildlife. According to a report released in September 2014 by World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), between 1970 and 2010 the world has lost 52% of wildlife species. With such a huge loss of wildlife species, there is a direct acceleration of climate change. The reason being, wildlife is a key component of the existing bio-diversity and such a huge loss is disrupting the ecological balance eventually changing the environment.

There are key cases which show that re-introduction of wildlife species can change and sustain the ecosystem. The perfect example is the re-introduction of wolves in the Yellowstone National Park in the United States of America.     

Though India only represents 2.4 percent of the world area but the faunal population accounts for 7.3 percent of the world. This faunal population boasts of the famous Royal Bengal Tiger, one-horned Rhinoceros, Asiatic Lion, and Leopard etc. The Western Ghat is the hotspot of biodiversity in the country. New species of reptiles and amphibians are still being discovered. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 has also helped in the cause of protecting and supporting the faunal population.

But times are changing. Incessant poaching and frequent human-wildlife conflict is affecting the population of some of the prime species. In Assam, the one horned Rhino has been poached for its horn which according to voodoo belief is supposed to have medicinal qualities. Similarly, the story of Tiger and Leopard and the tusks of Elephants is another instance of the illegal trafficking of animal parts for profitable ventures.

In a developing country like India, the frequency of human-animal conflict is really high. Some of the classic examples can be of leopards in Guwahati, Assam; Mumbai, Maharashtra; Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. The story of leopards is just an instance regarding the situation in primary urban cities of the country. The popular belief is that the wild animals are encroaching upon the human settlements but the truth is that we have been encroaching upon the animal’s territories. The instance of leopard is also important because for animals like Tigers and Elephants which have dedicated protection movements and schemes the leopard has to protect and sustain itself.

Similarly, not all tigers are safe either. The tigers who roam in the periphery of the national parks are regularly involved in such conflicts. The documentary by Krishnendu Bose titled the Forgotten Tigers shows the plight of such tigers. Uncontrolled development is ripping up the habitats of the wildlife species which is a huge factor in the acceleration of climate change. Destruction of habitats also has affected the migratory birds nesting habits.

Development has only helped the humans but in return has forced some major wildlife species in the endangered list. Just blaming the policy makers is not the right approach either since we crave for better roads, better water supply and better infrastructure. With urbanization already taking a toll in the human occupied areas, the only remaining areas are the ones that belong to the faunal population.  

Though it is true that human-wildlife conflict is a global phenomenon but what matters is how one country handles the situation. For instance, in the case of most human wildlife interactions there are chaos with people crowding all over the place which only worsens the situation. It is quite surprising that in a country with billions of people there are so less such conflicts. More understanding and awareness is required especially for the people living near the wildlife sanctuaries and parks. A perfect example of managing human-wildlife conflict can be seen in this particular case in Sonitpur, Assam where a team of WWF with the local community didn’t let the situation go out of control. The forest officials have to do more than collaring the animals. Most importantly the community has to be involved so that there are no negative sentiments against the animals. Strengthening the Indian Forest Act can be a good beginning.

The existence of human beings is directly proportional to the existence of the flora and the fauna. The sooner we realize it, the longer we will exist.