Vitality Of Earth’s Diversity

Once I was on a school trip to Jim Corbett. Jim Corbett is the most renowned tiger reserve in our nation. I was thinking in India we have worlds 75 % of the tiger’s population so, we would be surely able to spot one. Unfortunately, during the safari, I could not spot a single tiger. I was so frustrated because even in a tiger reserve we could not spot a tiger. On the way back home all my schoolmates were discussing how our safari went. Most of us were not able to catch a glimpse of those gigantic beasts. After a few months on my family trip to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, I got sight of a tigress named Sultana. It was a few meters away from our jeep. It was colossal as compared to tigers which we see in the zoos. After I inquired more about her from our tour guide, he told me that she is the tigress who dominates more areas than the average. After reaching home I researched a bit I got to know that in India PROJECT TIGER was initiated in 1973 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climatic Change of the Government of India. 

 PROJECT TIGER was initiated to protect the Bengal Tiger and its habitats and to establish dedicated tiger reserves for sustaining tiger populations. Tiger Conservation Plan which includes planning and management of notified areas and maintaining the requisite competent staff to ensure the protection of the tiger reserve and providing inputs for maintaining a viable population of tigers, co-predators and prey animals. Tiger reserves consist of a core area which includes parts of protected areas such as a national park or a wildlife sanctuary and a buffer zone which is a mix of forested and non-forested land. In 1973, nine protected areas were initially designated as tiger reserves. By the late 1980s, the initial nine reserves had been increased to 15 reserves; by 1997, 23 tiger reserves and as of March 2024, there are 55 protected areas that have been designated as tiger reserves while on the other hand with the same pace, the number of tigers also increased. According to the latest tiger census, the tiger count recorded is a 6.1% annual increase. 

According to me the purpose of initiating PROJECT TIGER was to conserve earth’s vitality and development which is a principle of sustainable development. If PROJECT TIGER would not have been introduced the species of Bengal tiger might have become extinct and the ecosystem would have been disrupted. Including tigers, there are numerous species for whom a lot of effort has been made since the first day. Initially, If there were any intervention in the ecosystem, the whole ecosystem would have to change creating a mess for our planet. Whatever deeds we have done there is always a way back to return to square one. Progress may be slow, but its outcomes are sweet. Thus, the wording  “The seed you sow is the seed you reap” is true for the development of mankind along with nature.