Project update - April 2005

Children respond to the Tiger crisis in Ranthambhore

2000 local children march through the streets of Sawai Madhupur to help save the future of the Tigers in Ranthambhore.

When local children of the Fateh Public School in Rajasthan discovered that suddenly 18 of their remaining tigers in Ranthambhore had been killed, once again by poachers, local children gave the tiger a badly needed voice for the future of its very existence.

The grave news reported by Tiger Watch that 18 tigers were suddenly missing in less than a few months, in the spring of 2004, spurred locals into action to urge the President of India to intervene using a signed appeal and thousands of postcards urging him to save Ranthambhore, the last remaining tiger sanctuary in the whole of Rajasthan.

The children of Ranthambhore clearly do not want to see their tigers suffer the fate of those in the neighbouring Sariska National Park where all of them have been killed by ruthless poachers.

The only reason why Ranthambhore still has tigers is due to the strong presence of local non-governmental organisations like the Tiger Watch and Prakratik Society, run by father and son conservationists from the Singh family ,who receive funding from DSWF's loyal supporters.

The problem of protecting the tiger from the poachers is lack of effective enforcement of the Wildlife Protection Act by government officers who have allowed too many violations of the law. Also, the pressure of tourism and its monetary rewards for local government has diverted attention away from the main issue of poaching.

In response to the crisis, a special taskforce has been set up to investigate why officials have not prevented the decimation of the remaining tiger population and to suggest strong measures to ensure such a situation never happens again. Certainly parks cannot be left in the hands of government officials alone and the role of the independent conservation organisations are essential or tigers will disappear completely. Funding is the key to keep the poachers at bay. Testament to this is another funded initiative called 'Operation Cooperation' which arrested three poachers in as many days.

The presence of the conservation organisations generate immense goodwill amongst local people through healthcare and education programmes, the introduction of alternate energy, population control and improved cattle breeding techniques. Better educated children has meant that the younger population is more aware of its environment and the need to protect it.

By further supporting DSWF's funding of this key tiger project in Ranthambhore the conservationists can stand between the last remaining tigers in Rajasthan and those whose unchecked actions could wittingly cause its extinction.