It is fair to say that we are not a completely insensitive lot. We would be mortified if we knew that groups of visitors were defecating inside the Taj Mahal. Or that private contractors were bulldozing sections of the Red Fort and selling the bricks as paperweights. Probably because we identify that as a National Treasure. Something that stands out in the land of slumdogs and a million attention seeking hogs. But then, what about the Tiger? Is it any less than a National Treasure? Does it not stand out as a symbol of power, grace, strength and beauty, especially when compared to the menagerie of political stooges that collectively represent a decaying puppet show? How are we allowing our nation's most prized asset to slip away?
For all our chest thumping about the strength of our democracy, it is clear that those in power have performed their duties with minimal care or consideration for their constituencies. If that were the case, they would do well to realize that it's not some old wives tale about Tigers being the protectors of the forests and the forests being the link to our survival. It is the truth that could not be more clear unless it came printed on the face of a currency note. Or, maybe that's why they don't get it!
We have seen more parties eager to rename States, rather than preserve their natural heritage. More jokers keen on drawing stronger ethnic divides, than working together to preserve a national treasure. And many more that are queuing up to buy stakes in IPL teams, than staking a claim for the future of this nation and humanity at large. Plain and simple, the term votebank politics is clearest to those who understand the plight of our forests and their denizens.
Ironically, the only politician that showed some balls in the issue of wildlife protection was a woman. It was under the late Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, that Tiger Conservation was practiced more than it was preached. No matter what the differing opinions on her style of functioning may have been, she leaves behind a legacy that seems to have taken the last hope for the Tiger with it. Today's conservation community is bickering and procrastinating, while the factions interested in seeing Tigers in deep freezers and on wall mounts are working with a more single minded objective.
Will a strong change in leadership really make a difference? Will the current set pay heed to what really needs to be done, or will they want to hear it in 20 different regional languages before disregarding the facts? Hope is dim as it is stubborn. It flickers with the emergence of a strong stand taken by our environment minister, and threatens to die out if we don't back him now. Else, the only time your children may see a Tiger will be when they reach for that foul smelling balm. Or perhaps on the bottle cover of aged Chinese wine.
***The writer encourages you to offer your words of support, encouragement or suggestions to the last line of defense in the fight for the Tiger. Email them and let them know you care for this beautiful animal onhttp://moef.nic.in/modules/contact-ministry/contact-ministry/ |
