Tiger awareness in India’s tiger range states

For those of you lucky enough to live in a space shared by tigers in India, these guidance notes from the NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) are worth noting.

Tiger conservation / protection is a collective responsibility between the Centre, tiger States and citizens.  Every citizen can contribute to the conservation and protection of wild tigers and some suggestions in this regard are:

(a)  Learn as much as you can about wild tigers

(b)  In case information on poaching is available, inform the local Wildlife Warden / forest department without delay

(c)  In case of forest fire, inform the local forest office

(d) Foster awareness about tiger conservation by participating in discussions, exhibitions and local campaigns

(e) Focus on rural areas close to tiger reserves for motivating local people to desist from sudden changes in cropping patterns, land uses, polluting wetlands and rivers

(f)  In collaboration with like minded people, participate in veterinary camps for vaccinating domestic dogs and livestock against diseases which may spread to wild animals (or vice-versa)

(g) Interact with local schools for mainstreaming conservation as an important curricular/ extra curricular activity

(h) Collaborate with the nearest Wildlife Warden in conservation events during the wildlife week

(i)  Learn about the human-wildlife interface in your area and suggest innovative safeguards

(j)  Help the wildlife authorities during capture of wild animals by persuading local people not to crowd near the capture area

(k) In case butchery garbage is not disposed of, inform the local authorities

(l)  Volunteer to assist tiger reserve management in addressing problems relating to floods / fire / drought

(m) Become the eyes and ears of tiger reserve management on issues like poaching, encroachment and habitat destruction
(n) Stay informed about tiger issues (TigerTime’s Facebook and website blogs are perfect for this!)