Tigers are one of the most charismatic and beautiful animals
on earth. They are the world’s largest cat and can live across a wide range of
habitats, from mountains to coastal wetlands. Most of the world’s tigers live
in India among a number of national parks and tiger reserves but their numbers
are decreasing rapidly. Tiger tourism has become a hot button issue in India,
with the country’s recent Supreme Court decision to end a moratorium on tourism
in these reserves.
Many wildlife conservationists and respected ecotourism
operators believe that tourism can help to save this iconic predator, Panthera tigris. Many conservationists
believe that the presence of tourists helps keep away poachers from important
habitat. Some proactive tour operators such as Wildand
Adventures put some of their profits towards conservation and social
programs. Sanjay Gubbi, Tiger Program Coordinator for the well-respected
conservation organization Panthera
has said that, “India’s wildlife tourism industry benefits communities by
stimulating local economies and providing employment.” Another benefit of tiger
tourism is helping to inspire travelers to support conservation efforts (though
much more can be done in this area).
Ajay Dubey, a conservationist who works with Prayatna, believes tiger tourism as
currently practiced in India is a threat to the big cats. Panthera’s Mr. Gubbi
notes that many tourism operations practice “unethical safari practices.” In
some tiger reserves, lodges have been built in key habitat and the cats are stressed
by large numbers of jeeps crowding them. Mr. Dubey recently took the Indian
government to court to spur improvements in how tiger tourism is managed in the
country. This lawsuit has divided many people on both sides of the argument,
whether the final ruling, which came out in October, will improve the
situation.
One point that everyone on both sides of the argument agrees
to is that these animals face a serious situation. Most estimates are that
fewer than 4,000 tigers remain in the wild across Asia, with about 1,700 surviving
in India. Those numbers mean a more than 90 percent drop over the past century
and are why they are currently listed as endangered by the IUCN’s Red List. The main
reason for this drop however, is not tourism but poaching. These cats’ skins
and body parts can bring thousands of dollars on the black market.
I have spent most of the past decade working on improving
how tourism benefits the efforts to protect endangered sea turtles. While these
two animals and their conservation methods are very different, many of the same
principles apply. For tourism to work, it must be done in a way that minimizes
damage to key habitat, prevents unnecessary stress on the animals, and generates
concrete benefits to both conservation programs and nearby communities.
The recent ruling by the Indian Supreme Court on Prayatna’s
lawsuit has the potential to improve how tourism is managed in the country.
Unfortunately, people on both sides of the argument were disappointed in the
lack of strong regulations to protect tigers in the decision. Julian Matthews
of Travel
Operators for Tigers stated that, “Sadly there is nothing in these
guidelines that gives anyone… a legal ‘road map’ as to how they (the forests)
can be restored.” The primary responsibility for ending the construction of
infrastructure is now in the hands of the state governments, which have been
given six months to develop new tourism and conservation guidelines.
Tour operators have a strong responsibility to advocate not
only for regulations that will allow their businesses to grow but also to make
compromises that keep the best interests of the tigers in mind. If real changes
aren’t made to both improve tourism management and reduce poaching, tourism
businesses and local communities will suffer alongside these charismatic
animals.
Learn more:
Travelers interested in visiting India’s tiger reserves should
seek out tour operators that both minimize impacts on tigers and support
conservation efforts.
Travel Operators for
Tigers has developed a rating system for operators, lodges, and other
tourism businesses.
Read about a recent visit to
India’s National Parks to see tigers in WildHope Magazine and check out a tiger
conservation photo essay by award-winning photographer Steve Winter.
