World Wildlife Fund Launches Texting For Tigers

Sounds unique but its true!

The World Wildlife Fund, fondly called as WWF has recently launches a new technique for worldwide promotion of Tigers. Following the footprints of various television reality shows, WWF has also decided to use texting technique via phone to promote conservation of Tigers all across the globe.

The main goal behind this promotional scheme launched by WWF is to double the global Tiger population by 2022. In the entire world, Tigers are on the threshold of extinction. At present only 3, 200 Tigers are available in the wild, which is really shocking.

These magnificent big cats of deep canopies are fighting for their existence because of their habitat loss and poaching. Tigers are mainly killed for their skins, bones and other body parts. These things of Tigers are used in making traditional Chinese medicines, talismans, status symbols and clothing.

But, to help these endangered species WWF for the first time is using mobile fund raising. A mere donation of $ 10 would be received by WWF, whenever a mobile user send a text massage “Tiger” to 20222. Not only this WWF is encouraging people on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to spread awareness about the current plight of Tigers.

So, just type “Tigers” and send it to 20222 from your cell phone and help Tigers to see the light of day.

New Threats For Tiger Reveal

Shocked! shocked! shocked....

I was dumbed when I first read the news of farming captive-bred Tigers for their body parts. It is really pathetic that after knowing the status of Tigers in worldwide, still we are unable to help these magnificent big cats of jungle.

According to a special report published in BBC Wildlife Magazine which reveals that China, a super power of Third World country is creating new threat for wild Tigers. This report talks about China's intention to start farming captive -bred Tigers to meet the global demand for skins and other Tiger body parts.

Chinese government instead of changing their decision, is giving baseless logic to prove their point. Chinese officials believes that this step of theirs will be beneficial for Tiger conservation, which is really ridiculous.

I think this decision of Chinese government will worsen the situation more for wild Tigers and wildlife conservationists. If ‘legal’ tiger parts appear on the market, it will become almost impossible to conduct effective enforcement, and will create incentives to poach.

Not only China, even poachers in India are also brutally killing the Tigers for their skin and other body parts. Organized poaching gangs has emerged in core Tiger terrains like Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna and Pench tiger reserves of Madhya Pradesh. A group of at least 260 people from 13 villages in the area are engaged in the crime of slaughtering of Tigers.

So, its the high time that we should raise our voice against the issue of Tiger poaching on a global platform and pressurize various governments to strictly enforce wildlife laws in their respective countries.

Wildlife Act Likely To Get More Teeth

Great news! for all nature's lovers. Thanks to the Ministry of Environment, India a ray of hope for all endangered species of India who are fighting for their existence.

Keeping in view the excessive rise in the instances of wildlife crimes, recently, the Ministry of Environment in the leadership of Mr. Jairam Ramesh, (Minister of Environment) has outlined the some important amendments in the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.I must confess these proposed amendments will surely bring a change in the wildlife scenario in India.

The major emphasis of the proposed amendments is on the organized illicit wildlife trade. According to the statement of Ministry, “There is no strong financial disincentive that prevents poachers and smugglers from engaging in illicit wildlife trade, which in terms of value ranks only below illegal trade in arms and narcotics,”. So, to curb the illicit wildlife trade, the ministry has tried to increase the economic cost and risk of undertaking such trade.

Environment Ministry has decided to increase financial penalties and conviction rates. Financial penalties have been proposed for offences, particularly which deals in unlawful trade of wildlife products. Even fines under various categories have been raised to hefty amount of Rs 2 to 5 lakhs based on the nature of crime. Beside these financial penalties, the ministry has also introduced clause on leg -hold traps and planned to ban sale, manufacture and use of leg - hold traps and regulate their possession.

I believe these amendments will definitely increase the efficiency of prosecuting procedures and empowering officials for better results. Also the proposed amendments seek to promote independent scientific research and imposes obligations upon the central government to frame comprehensive rules and procedures governing the research.

Hunters Continue to Hanker After Royal Bengal Tigers

Is my plea going well or falling on deaf ears? Is it necessary to enjoy days at the expense of other's life? I was shocked to hear that friends of mine are feeding their breadbasket with meats of innocent Big Cat, who can't speak nor express their pain. With knowing the fact, that this precious animal is a part of our heritage, few people in the core part of Indian sub-continent are still continuing to commit crime.

A news confirmed that, few months back a full-grown Royal Bengal Tiger was killed by some village folks of Numuk in Arunachal Pradesh, North-East India. Villagers hunted the prey with great enthusiasm, cooked the meat and gathered together for merriment. Also, the skin of victim was allegedly sold for 1.5 lakh rupees.

I was surprised to hear that, in last one year, it was the third incident of tiger hunting in the same area. Local people says that, the season was favorable for hunting deers and villagers approached the jungle for the purpose. By chance, the tiger came across their way and hunters left no chance to kill this carnivore. I'd like to ask a few questions to the forest department of the particular area. Were they aware about the season dedicated to hunting deers? If so, what protective measures was taken by the authority to help save the tiger population?

I strongly feel that educational awareness programme should be organized in villages, located in close proximity to jungles. The burning issue must get widespread in every nook and corner, such that no such individual is left without knowing the importance of this flagship animal.

While collecting a snippet about the present population of Indian tiger, I found that, last year(2009), 85 tigers were victim of mortality, poaching & seizures. As of now, 19 incidents of death has been reported since the first half of 2010. The whole year is yet to get complete and if the death rate goes on in such a speed, then, days are not far way when we all will have nothing to do, instead shed tears of sorrow.

Say No-No To Traditional Medicines

Some works worth more than anything else. Tigers are precious species on the Earth and I can't resist myself from collecting updates about them. Last week, I came across a news “ Traditional Chinese Medicine Societies reject the use of tiger bones”. The decision was taken at a symposium on March 12 in Beijing.

Great to know, that we are on the process of saving this group of carnivore. Over whelmed with joy, I thought it might be the best step ever taken in saving our wild lives. But, soon I came across the clause, made way back in 1993. According to law, the traditional medicines made of tiger body-parts were banned. Despite, the action taken, many illegal trade has been encountered till date. The most recent case took place in July, 2009, when Hanoi's Environmental Police caught a frozen tiger and a rough estimate of 11 kg of tiger bones smuggled by taxi in Vietnam. Are we human, so selfish that we can push innocents on the verge of extinction?


Like me, you'll be surprised to know that, in Taiwan, a bowl of tiger penis soup cost $320. It is consumed to increase virility of an individual. Also, some prefer powders made of tiger's eyes and bones to cure themselves against epilepsy, ulcers, typhoid and malaria.

It is no wonder, that the use of animal body parts has been prevailing in the societies since centuries, when people used to outline their lives with cultural myths. But, I wonder as how can people enjoy cultural values at the expense of other lives. This 21^st century, where the whole world speaks about fake ideologies and scientifically proved beliefs, some groups take pleasure to have a sip of wine made of tiger bones.


I was shocked to hear that, where wildlife lovers are taking initiative to save this Big Cat, in this Tiger Year'2010; some fun-lovers were busy partying with tiger bone tonic wine. Friends of my confirmed that only only 20 tigers are left in the wild den of China. Companies seems busy with producing illegal medicines and buyers are still eager to get them. We and our demand are the root cause of this rising problem. Lets take an owe to say' No- No To Traditional Medicine'.

Will There Be Tigers By The Next Tiger Year?

“Tiger Tiger Burning Bright, In the Forest Of The Night”- the quote from William Blake's famous poem-'The Tiger', still echoes in my ear drums. I have memorized these lines, when I was studying in primary school. I used to stare at the pictures of this magnificent animal and think of, as how amazing it would be if I can touch its golden-brown skin. My Mom says that, I used to talk all alone with the bookish photographs and at times, used to make sound like Tiger- 'ROAR'.

The poem has left an ever-lasting impression in my mind. This morning, when I was on the way to my office, I came across a number of street-side banners for the campaign-'Save Our Tigers'. I guess, the Tiger Year 2010, may create a feeling of emotion towards our national animal, which is on the verge of extinction. Being a wildlife lover, I engage my pass-time in reading daily updates on animal species. An article on 'Tiger' confirmed that, only 3, 200 wild tigers are surviving all over the globe and of which 1411 tigers inhabit in the jungles of India. I was wondering, if the situation goes on like this, then we might loss this incredible animal, long before the next Tiger Year to come in 2022.

The decrease in the population of Tigers is due to major threats like habitat loss, illegal trade and climate change. I must say that, knowingly-unknowingly, we human are responsible for the present plight. Increase in human-population are creating havoc in the wild habitats. This largest cat of all are losing their home at an alarming rate. Add to this you will be shocked to hear that countries in South-East Asian region are counted as the prime area for illegal trafficking in tiger skin, body-parts and bones

Despite the hardcore discussion, I believe, every dark night ends up with a new bright morning. A feel-good factor came, when I found Governments and Wildlife Organizations are taking active participation to help save our tigers. A recent news confirmed that, in September 2010, the World Bank will arrange meeting in Russia and will plan best possible action for saving the species.

Before the get together is organized, lets not simply wait and watch. Donate some amount of penny from your pocket and step towards better conservation of this charismatic species. I'm participating in it. Will you be the next one?

Royal Bengal Tigers in Sunderban National Park

The new year celebration in China Town came to an end. Though I've enjoyed tons of happy moments, my soul was asking for an unplanned task. The moment, I saw the tiger tattoos on my hand, an idea click my mind. In no time, I prepared myself for a wildlife tour to Sunderban National Park. It is situated at the southern tip of West Bengal and is quite far away from Angela's home.

On the very night, I decided to express the travel idea before my friend and her family members. It was great to find a positive gesture on their face. The next morning, i.e on 18^th February, all of us went for a long drive to the National Park. It took hours to enter the premises of this largest Project Tiger Reserve. You won't believe that the park covers about 4264 sq km in the country alone. And, my eyes were waiting to have of glimpse of my favorite beast- The Tiger.

Sunderban National Park encompass vast area and its quite impossible for a tourist to grab all without any guidance. Thanks to Angela's father, Mr. Robert, who helped us to hire a travel guide- Bholu. You can compare his knowledge with a wildlife travel book. Through out the way, he entertained us by cracking jokes and some interesting tales.

Our jeep entered the stretch of mangrove forest and we were captivated to hear the chirps of rare bird species, like Masked Finfoot, Mangrove Pita, Mangrove Whistlers etc. My handy cam helped me to capture some excellent pictures of the multi-hued feathered creatures.

Bholu guide then directed our way to the bank of Sunderban delta. It is formed by the fusion of mighty Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. Interestingly, its the world's largest estuarine forest, which provides shade to Royal Bengal Tigers. My sole motive was to discover the den of Royal Bengal Tigers and I convinced my co-travelers to go with the same theme.

With receiving an exclusive scene of a Tiger swimming at the delta, I came to know that this groups of big cats have the ability to adapt themselves to the saline and aqua environment. But, soon my excitement turned to fear when Bholu guide told me that only 200 Tigers are left till date. This beautiful carnivore is on the verge of extinction. I was about to ask more about them, then, suddenly, uncle Robert asked us to move back home.

Wish, I could spent more time in the jungle. As of now, I have jotted down a number of wildlife destinations in India and for sure I'll leave none without complete research on Tigers.