Ranthambore: a model conservation
A leading naturalist wants the Government to give all attention to the forested areas as it carries out massive infrastructure across the country.
Dr Raghu Chundawat, founder of the Bagh Aap aur Van, a wildlife research and conservation trust from Madhya Pradesh to take into consideration the needs of wildlife and its eco-system.
“It would cost a little bit more money, but it would ensure the freedom of movements for wild animals in forested areas,” said Dr Chundawat, citing examples of flyovers and bypass roads planned in urban development to protect and manage heritage assets.
He also sees strong links between the economy at large and the rural folk income especially those working and living close to wildlife in forested areas.
Twenty of about 50 tiger protected areas in the country has become successful models, one of which is Ranthambore National Park, a leading tourist drawing area for viewing tigers, according to Subaraj Rajathurai, a Singapore-based wildlife consultant who takes tourists on ‘seeing tiger tours’ to India.
India is ranked “very high on tiger conservation” globally, compared to both developed and developing countries, he said at the opening of Tiger Week 13-21 July 2019 in Singapore.
India has about 2,200 tigers out of the estimated 3,900 in protected areas around the world. Indian can easily have 5,000-6,000 and the potential should be 10,000 tigers, he said. fiinews.com
