Save our tigers

Aircel “Save Our Tiger” is the latest campaign where it intends to draw attention towards dwindling numbers of tigers across the planet and bring forward the seriousness of losing tigers from our planet.

Tiger, the national animal of India, has been on key target of poachers and in 2009 alone India lost 86 tigers. From around 40,000 at the turn of the last century, there are just 1411 tigers left in India. The national animal is on the verge of extinction and if serious efforts are not undertaken Tigers will only reside in our history books.

In the international market, a tiger fetches at least $10,000, but broken into body parts, the value can soar to $50,000. Every bit of a tiger is in demand—the brain as cure to pimples and laziness, its whiskers for toothaches, the nose and eyes for epilepsy and malaria, the humerus bone for ulcers, rheumatism and typhoid.

The Penalty...
If an offence is committed against the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, there is a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment or a fine which may extend to Rs. 25,000 or both.

For an offence against a Schedule I or Schedule II (part 2) animal, or for an offence committed within a sanctuary or natural park, there is a mandatory prison term of three years, which may extend to seven years. There is also a mandatory fine of at least Rs. 10,000. For a subsequent offence, the mandatory prison remains same, while the mandatory fine is at least Rs.25, 000.

For an offence committed inside the core area of a Tiger Reserve, there is a mandatory prison term of three years, extendable to seven years and a fine of Rs. 50,000 extendable to Rs. 2 lakhs. In case of a subsequent conviction, there is an imprisonment of at least seven years and a fine of Rs. 5 lakhs which may extend to Rs. 50 lakhs.

Despite these penalties, the laws are difficult to enforce and to date, in spite of hundreds of cases, only 16 people have ever been convicted of killing a tiger.
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If a person can earn upto $50K, would they even care for a fine of Rs. 25k or a jail term (bailable) and the bribe amount which would amount to nothing, but guarantee a safe passage for poachers??


What can you do?

There are various credible organizations working towards the conservations of Tigers in India. You can support them by donating the amount of your choice. Head over here to make a donation.

If you have a blog similar to this, you can write about the urgent importance that is required in this regard. If you have a social networking profile, update your statuses’ (or the likes..) to show your concern (every bit of word helps spread the message).

If you see or know any one in your village hurting Tigers, be it for any reason, educate them and if possible bring them to the law.

And finally, if your want to show your concern on tigers virtually, head over here to make
a mark.


Its time we raise awareness and force the government take steps to increase the guards and
forest rangers to reduce the ease through which poachers helped by local villagers can get to a tiger. Until we can't stop that..we can't stop the killing of wild animals- not just tigers..