When National Tiger Conservation Authority of India published their landmark report in 2008, the shocks of its results were felt throughout the country.

1411. Yes this number turned out to be the total strength of our national symbol. They were now endangered species. The likes of blue whales were no longer the only concern now for the wildlife enthusiasts.

From 1411 to 1702, a journey that was made possible by the efforts of “Save our Tigers”campaign is seeing some heartwarming results now.

Save Our Tigers Team at Dudhwa for the two-day program

Digging deep into the Aircel’s initiative, one gets happily surprised to realise that the campaign is more about bringing man closer to understanding animals and the natural by product is conservation of wildlife. It is a well researched, adequately supported campaign by the likes of Wildlife Trust Of India.

Dr Ashraf from WTI in conversation with me explained that the real reason behind fast depletion of tigers around is the elusive man-animal conflicts on the rise. He went on to detail out the steps being taken by the “Save Our Tigers” campaign in mitigating those conflicts.

• Runs a fully staffed and equipped mobile veterinary serive unit
• In depth research to understand human-carnivore conflict patterns
• in depth research to gauge effect of prey densities on tiger populations along with tiger prey selection and movement patterns
• Capacity building of forest staff for conflict mitigation, emergence rescue and monitoring tiger
• Awareness workshops for communities
• Developing a comprehensive long term, landscape level conflict mitigation strategy 

Presently for the campaign, Dudhwa national park besides having the forest reserve team also has a resident sociologist and biologist who help achieve the salient point of the campaign. An in-house doctor is always around who serves not only injured tigers but also other animals.

“Tigers can not be the only point of understanding in this campaign. It is right at the top of food chain pyramid. Hence you need to consider every single animal in the jungle for the success of this journey,” Brinda, Head CSR at Aircel, explained to me. 

Brinda is also the person who back in 2009 brought this campaign to the table as a part of the CSR initiatives at Aircel. Her understanding of the wildlife conservation and also the ongoings of the initiative across the country is what keeps this going successfully on and on.

“What is it that you think Aircel brings to this campaign that perhaps governments have not been able to?” I asked this question to the panel.

And surprisingly it was not someone from Aircel but deputy director of Dudhwa himself who answered this,

“Any activity or task is as successful as the efficiency or involvement of the grass root worker for the same. And Aircel’s regular meetings, campaigns and initiatives provide the much needed motivation to our employees. They feel proud of the fact that a conglomerate such as Aircel understands them and also appreciates their work. Also they bring in their infectious enthusiasm to the forest reserve. We all feel so much belonged and in sync with the motive of saving our national tigers.”

At this someone questioned him, “Perhaps this benefits them too. In a way of mutual marketing?”

He smiled and replied,” What voters or brand loyalists will you gain by catering to the needs of these mute spectators? They have no one to praise you to. No vote to give no sim card to buy.”

And this left us thinking for long. Perhaps this is why today we are always looking for ulterior motives, benefits profits. And it is such a heartwarming moment to realise that yes there are people campaigning only because they think it is the rightful thing to do.

There will be more things I will hop along for you in coming few days. I can assure you at the end of it you will be inducted into the madness of saving our tigers in the name of pride and joy.

For more photos click here.
If you need details on the campaign then do visit: Save Our Tigers

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