Voices from Tamil Nadu, are firmly opposing move of replacing the tiger with the lion
Tamil Nadu has been consistently roaring with its tiger population and the Nilgiri biosphere spread across TN, Kerala and Karnataka is now the top habitat in the country having close to 770 big cats
Chennai: There has been a roar of disapproval from conservationists, wildlife filmmakers and foresters based in Tamil Nadu and Kerala on the suggestion to replace the tiger with the lion as India’s national animal. A day after reports that a few members of the National Board for Wildlife from Gujarat were keen on lions for the coveted status, former member of the board Shekar Dattatri and other biologists shot down the idea as irrational and strange. Voices from TN, which has seen a 300 per cent growth in tiger population in last decade, are firmly opposing any such move.
“When there are so many problems facing the country’s wildlife, an unnecessary debate about making the lion the national animal instead of the tiger is the last thing we need. Given its pan-India presence, there is no better animal to represent our country better than the tiger, which has also proved to be an excellent umbrella species covering 17 states,” said Chennai-based Dattatri, who is also a wildlife and conservation filmmaker.
“The forests that have been protected in the name of the tiger have also helped save thousands of other species that share the tiger’s habitat and hundreds of streams that feed our rivers. Instead of a needless controversy, it would be great if the government can commit itself to creating a second or even third home for the endangered lions of India,” Dattatri noted.
His sentiment is echoed by wildlife biologist Dr A. Kumaraguru, who is also member of Satymangalam Tiger Conservation Foundation. “Politicos should know what exactly they are doing and for the problems that our country, forests and tribes are facing, replacing lion as the national animal is no way going to help conservation,” he said.
“Both lion and tigers are India’s wildlife icons exposing our rich diversity, but pushing an animal for the national status is unnecessary politics and this will adversely effects the status of our protected tiger reserves, that are already facing habitat destruction,” added wildlife filmmaker Alphonse Roy. Reacting to Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand Parimal Nathwani's proposal that was then put before the National Board for Wildlife, animal welfare officer F M Jerold of Animal Welfare Board of India said , “If the government is so keen in safeguarding the lion population, first it should listen to the expert committee recommendation submitted in the Supreme Court that directs to relocate a small population of Gujarat lions with its neighbouring states and then take up research projects that would help to fight any feline epidemic outbreaks.”
Moreover, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka have now become a conducive home for tigers and foreigners see India as a country of tigers and elephants, said an IFS officer who has served at Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Kerala.
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