On International Tiger Day, three wildlife enthusiasts reminisce about their most memorable sightings, and suggest how India can offer a safer abode for its national animal
A tigress at Ranthambore National Park. Pic Courtesy/K Gore
A moment with Munna
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Munna at Kanha National Park. Pic Courtesy/S Lodhi
In 2007, wildlife photographer Sarosh Lodhi, the founder-member of wildlife group CLaW, came across a tiger at Kanha National Park. With no other vehicles in the vicinity, the photographer went all out clicking the big cat on his old film-based SLR camera. “I developed the images and posted them online. After seeing the pictures, a friend asked me if I had noticed the markings on the tiger’s face,” shares Lodhi. When he looked back at the pictures, he found that the markings were shaped like the letters C, A and T. “These were natural markings. Back then, nobody had noticed them. Later, the tiger went on to become one of the most celebrated tigers of Kanha,” recalls Lodhi who has photographed the tiger, Munna, for over a decade.
Conservation tip: According to CLaW data, tiger mortality has seen an unprecedented rise in 2021 with the total deaths pegged at 92 till July, as compared to 98 in all of 2020. Lodhi points out that as a developing country, India is bound to have development projects. “But all these have to be done with a strong resolution to first, find an alternate alignment. And secondly, if the project has to be carried out on or around forest land, then, it must be done with a lot of mitigation measures,” says Lodhi, pointing to how the construction of NH7 on Kanha-Pench Corridor, despite mitigation measures, leads to road kills.
Sister act
Earlier this year in February, conservationist Kedar Gore, director, The Corbett Foundation, visited Ranthambore National Park. “There are two siblings, Riddhi and Siddhi, daughters of a famous tigress, Arrowhead. I spotted one of the sisters near a talao for a drink, after she had just made a kill. It was an absolute beauty; she walked right next to our vehicle. The sighting lasted for 20 to 25 minutes,” recalls Gore. Conservation tip: India has around 72 to 75 per cent of the world’s wild tigers — the success of Project Tiger, claims Gore. “Now there are around 51 tiger reserves. But tigers also exist outside tiger reserves. TThe areas around reserves or connecting to them don’t always come under the purview of the forest department; it could be privately owned. There, the priority might not be the welfare of tigers. Such areas, too, should also be taken care of and monitored, or they are exposed to perils like poaching,” he cautions.
Big cat, close up
A cub sleeps in the thicket at Tadoba National Park. Pic Courtesy/Darshan Khatau
In 1993, conservationist Darshan Khatau was researching with renowned tiger expert Dr Ullas Karanth at Nagarhole National Park. He was walking along with an assistant on the field, when a tigress, Mara, crossed their path. “Seeing a tiger from a gypsy and up close, standing a few feet away from you, are two different experiences. She looked at me, and then passed by. I’ve seen tigers up-close, but this stands out as it was my first sighting on foot,” he says.
His other memorable sightings include tigers mating in Ranthambore, and a recent visit to Tadoba, where he found a tiger cub sleeping in the undergrowth. “He was lying in the thicket, and only his face was visible. It’s one of my favourite pictures,” he says. Conservation tip: Tourists have to be disciplined, says Khatau. “When you have tourist vehicles surrounding the big cat, it gets nervous. So, tourists must behave themselves, wear appropriate clothing, and cell phones shouldn’t be allowed as this craze for selfies disturbs the environment. It can be dangerous,” he suggests.
On the tiger trail
>> Test your GK by taking part in an online quiz conducted by the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in Visakhapatnam.
On: Today, 10 am
Log on to: @vizagzoo on Instagram
>> The Parambikulam Tiger Reserve in Kerala is giving people an opportunity to submit videos on nature and wildlife conservation on International Tiger Day with a chance to win goodies.
Last Date: August 10
Log on to: @parambikulam_tiger_reserve on Instagram
>> Learn about the majestic animal at this fun session.
On: Today, 4 pm onwards
Log on to: @wwfindia on Instagram
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