Monday, May 24, 2010

Jhurjura tigress tragic loss

I read in papers and on FaceBook the ghastly incident that occurred in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve few days a go. Following the incident keenly I realized that what is a National tragedy will soon be forgotten. The loss would get mired in administrative unaccountability and legal loop holes which will play their part if some substantiated findings are reached.

Jhurjura tigress is one of the many big cats that have died unnaturally before their prime. This is not only the loss of an endangered species it is indicative of care and regards that we have for other life forms.

What exactly happened?

The facts are yet to come out was it arrogant reckless driving, which I have been experiencing often since number of years?

Was it deliberate murder?

Or accident?

Let us hope that we are soon enlightened of the facts. But what next? Will the incident fall in the same vein as Panna and Sariska and forgotten or setting up of a new order pacify us.? Will few heads rise and see that the incident is not forgotten till suitable corrective action ensues in order to prevent repeat?

This is the best chance to see how we regard our National Pride. This country as whole should react to this incident.

Any way whatever happened could have been prevented. The death is a testimony to the fact that more needs to be done in order to make tourism safer and fruitful in our tiger reserves.

Reckless driving is one issue that needs to be permanently checked. The rush to reach the tiger is what increases speed. There are few parameters that can effectively check speeding vehicles. One good suggestion is to build as many speed breakers as possible. The second is for the staff to check and take necessary action. The latter is what that will be done. Ironically we demand that the staff act as sentinels to check wildlife crimes but here they will be checking us. A waste of crucial man power. 

It is not responsible tourism alone that will work it is responsible tourist that is the order of the day. How we behave as National entity is suggestive of our character and strength.