Extinction is Forever - Tiger backs Tiger

Whole country and cricket fans around the globe rejoiced when master blaster Sachin hit another test ton against New Zealand in this series. I was also looking forward for his TON and his each shot was just feast for eyes. Strange thing is today I felt more proud about when I read news about Sachin supporting Tiger conservation in India. In fact when he dedicated this hundred for tigers, he just raised his ranks in millions of hearts. He is leader, path maker, guide and friend to Indian team and there are plenty other reasons that whole Team India joined for the cause. When asked to him about this initiative he commented that this was decided by whole team before coming for this tour and hence you can see banner of ‘Extinction is Forever’ at Team India’s marquee.

You might get bit amused but I read news column ‘Earth’ in TOI which keeps me close to happenings in environment zone in India. Survey says at least 1 tiger per month is killed (or dies) and according to Wildlife Protection society of India just in 11 weeks of 2009, 17 tigers are found dead. If strict measures are not taken right away tiger extension is not far from today. For the figures the count of tigers in India at the start of this century (year 2000) was 40,000 which fall down to mere 1700 today at an alarming rate. I feel no odd if our coming generation will see another Steven Spielberg’s (or his successor’s) movie like Jurassic park where dinosaurs will be replaced by extinct tigers.

Here is tiger toll for 2009:
Mar 20: Bhadrawati, Maharashtra: Forest officials nab three persons with tiger claws and bones Mar 17: Corbett, UP: Infighting claims one tiger at Dhela Range

Mar 10: Corbett, UP: An aged 14-year-old male tiger found dead at Dhela Range

Mar 4: Kanha, MP: One tiger found dead near Daman village

Feb 26: Tadoba Andhari, Maharashtra: One tigress found dead

Feb 24: Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh: Man-eater tigress shot dead

Feb 16: Chandel, Manipur: Army seizes 16 kg tiger bones, two skulls and two paws during vehicle checks near Myanmar border.

Feb 13: Kaziranga, Assam: One tiger killed in infighting

Feb 8: Pilibhit, UP: One tiger found dead near Sharda canal

Jan 31: Kanha, MP: One tiger found dead near Auraicamp

Jan 21: Kaziranga: One tigress dead of suspected poisoning

Jan 19: Katni, MP: One fresh tiger skin seized

Jan 18: Kanha, MP: One tiger found dead

Jan 10: Kaziranga, Assam: One tiger found dead

Jan 5: Kaziranga, Assam: One tigress found dead

Jan 3: Kanha, MP: Two tiger cubs found dead

Jan 3: Kaziranga, Assam: One tiger found dead

Jan 2: Bhandara, Maharashtra: One tiger found dead

(Source: Wildlife Protection Society of India)

Rise for the cause. Support the wildlife. Help to save this forest beauty.