Tiger - Tiger - Enough!
And why should it be so? Is a wildlife tour only about tigers? What about the leopard, the bison, the deer, the birds, butterflies, insects, trees, fungi…..? Is tigers all that a forest environment supposed to contain?
I remember sitting in a jeep, watching a peacock dance some 100 feet away. As I watched, enthralled with its beauty, the way it moved its body, the patterns in the raising, spreading and lowering of its feathers, I felt that I knew the peacock a little before than before. This seemed to be the trigger for someone in a nearby waiting jeep to comment (loudly enough for me to hear), "Ok, I've got the picture. Let's move on, we haven't seen a tiger yet." The other jeep just reversed and moved away from this glorious creature.
On another trip, where no tiger sighting happened at all, a participant called home and when asked about the trip, said it had been a "failure". There had been a virtual parade of a wide variety of creatures all through this tour. In fact, we probably saw most of the fauna, including two leopards. Yet, without that tiger, the trip was a "failure"!
When there is a tiger sighting in a sanctuary, the word spreads like wildfire. Every jeep in the area heads to the location. Elephants mint money taking tourists into the bush and still closer to their beloved "destination". All the animals of the forest are forgotten, as the tourists metaphorically fall over each other to catch the elusive glimpse, and carry home the most amazing photograph.
Noise levels heighten (strictly prohibited), people try to inch closer and closer, and the tour is a success!
A tiger is a beautiful creature. Majestic and powerful, a tiger sighting is indeed a memorable occasion, but at what cost?
My heart weeps for the tiger. Hounded endlessly by intrusive presences in its "sanctuary". No peace of mind in the operating hours of the sanctuary by day, and endangered by poachers at night. So much for the majestic beast.
My heart weeps for the thousands of creatures we refuse to acknowledge, observe and find interesting in this crazy quest.
My heart weeps for the thousands of plants, standing immobile - despised obstructions to the precious "sighting". Many of these plants are very interesting to know about for their medicinal, environmental and ecological value.
Rare species of creatures great and small, some declared endangered species even, are on the list of "extra cast" in this "film" of the tiger.
My heart weeps for the forest itself, unloved and unappreciated beyond its star potential. The peaceful home to unimaginable creatures, the solace of a true wanderer, the lungs of a planet threatened by "human development" infestation.
But the most, my heart weeps for the blind tourist, who leaves a wealth of experience in blind pursuit of an idol.
"What is this life so full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?"
Related Tags: india, wildlife, tiger, sanctuary, reserve
Vidyut Kale is a mountaineer turned outbound facilitator and does extensive work with children through experiential learning programmes as well. Her site Wide Aware provides a great deal of information and support for the outdoor adventure scenario in India.
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