Tiger in Bhutan
The tigers roaming the forests of Bhutan are more than mere wildlife. From the legends and paintings of the animal on the walls of old monasteries, it is evident that tigers were associated with Bhutan even before the world recognised the so-called wildlife.
Bhutanese quite often doesn’t refer to the tiger by its name. Perhaps because of the awe of the tiger, the predator is often referred to as chenzig or the big animal. In some regions, the big predator is even closer to people’s hearts and is referred to as Asha Tag. It was, therefore, a special significance for Bhutan when it joined the other tiger range nations in pledging to double the number of the big cat by 2022.
As far as Bhutan is concerned, most of the habitats for the wild are intact, thanks to our conservation policies, which now is strengthened by the Constitution. As a global hotspot for biodiversity, Bhutan’s conservation policy is laudable, while wildlife finds Bhutan a safe sanctuary in the face of a fast shrinking natural habitat worldwide.
A more interesting issue is that animals like the tigers, predator of the tropics, are now hunting in the high altitude forests of Bhutan. Bengal tigers of the Sundarbans are now roaming the jungles above Tango monastery in Thimphu.
It is a wonderful thought that the tigers are finding shelter in Bhutan’s pristine environment, despite the unfamiliar altitude. They should survive in the forests of a nature loving society. Saving tigers comes at a huge price, say conservationists worldwide. It is true not only from the amount of money needed, but for the loss it incurs on farmers. In an effort to save the endangered species, Bhutanese farmers are losing livestock and do not retaliate. Besides the conservation efforts, millions of ngultrums are spent on compensating farmers for the loss of livestock to tigers.
Tigers finding our forests a safe haven may be a proof of our rich flora and fauna, but conservationists are reluctant and cautious about sharing information on the tigers. This is because wildlife all over the world is rapidly losing out to poachers, the most lethal of all predators.
Experts say that the smuggling of tiger and its parts is encouraged, indirectly, by reports on its price in the international black market. This could be true because, if we say that a tiger skin is sold at USD 20,000, many would be encouraged to kill tigers. Bhutanese poachers, experts say, get their information from the media, who report the price of musk or tiger skin in the black market. In the end, it boils down to responsibility each player has in the conservation effort.
Source: kuenselonline