Tourists and Tigermania

Being a frequent tiger tourist myself, I know I don't really have the right to criticize others infected with "Tigermania." If you've ever visited a tiger reserve, you'll know what this is. It's a kind of insane desperation to see a tiger, to get at least one "sighting" of our magnificent jungle king before we leave the forest. It makes us drive madly around the paths, chasing pug marks and alarm calls of prey animals. Every time another vehicle passes by, we anxiously scan the passengers' faces: you can tell from their smug smirks or dejected looks whether they've seen one or not.



Tigermania doesn't affect only the wildlife enthusiast or the animal lover or the cat-worshipper (I am all three). Everybody gawks stupidly when the stripes finally appear, and even the noisy picnickers actually shut up. Whether it's the powerful muscles - something you'll never see in a zoo - or the expression of cold ferocity, somehow this animal holds one spellbound. Just for that brief span of time, I think we realize who is really at the top of the food chain...much as we insolent apes may have tried to usurp that position.

The unfortunate tiger has always been the victim of his own charisma, hasn't he? While our ancestors wanted to hang his pelt on their walls, today we obsessively want to witness a bit of his life at any cost, ignoring the fact that he is a cat and therefore rather fond of privacy and solitude. We want to see him crossing a road, taking a nap, having a bath, hunting, mating, yawning, anything.



There is even this obsession some people have with wanting to cuddle tigers, something I don't understand at all, but it sends hordes of tourists to the famous, or perhaps infamous tiger temple in Thailand, to pose cheek-to-cheek with an animal which in its natural state would be ripping their heads off (my personal opinion here, so please don't attribute this to Satpuda Foundation!)

Some wild tigers seem to have got used to the attention and perhaps they dismiss us as harmless pests, something in the background like crows. But I have seen many others who are clearly distrustful of us, as any sensible animal should be, and though they make brief appearances, they keep a wary green eye on us at all times.





I am torn between a strong urge to stare as long as possible, and an equally strong one to leave them in peace.

And when it's time for us tourists to leave, I feel secretly relieved. Because for some hours at least, the forest will belong to the real animals again.

Photos: taken by me in Kanha National Park, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Pench Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)

Let's not be tiger pests!

These are a few rules I follow when I visit wildlife areas.
They're simple - we can all follow them.

• First and foremost, we should KEEP QUIET. No talking, no calling out, no making funny noises to attract the animals' attention, and for god's sake, no car horns! Yes, people actually do that, and some have reverse horns too. I wish private vehicles were banned in all wildlife sanctuaries but unfortunately they are not, and all too often one hears the racket of diesel engines in the wilderness. I haven't yet heard music being played but obviously that is something to avoid too. And do turn your cellphone off! Nowadays some areas in reserves have network coverage.
• Wear forest colours: shades of green, grey, brown. Avoid yellow, white, red, pink, purple, orange, blue, and anything too light or too bright. The same rules should apply to vehicles too.
• Don't make sudden movements, or wave your arms about. Sit/stand as still as possible.
  
• Try to have nothing strong-smelling on you: avoid using cologne, perfume, and I also think there is no need to carry food...surely we can survive without stuffing ourselves for those few hours.
  
• Do not litter! Probably the most nauseating sight in the world is a plastic bag lying beside a forest path. Or perhaps a thermocol glass.
  
• Do NOT use a flash. I'll never forget the sight of a little spotted owlet on a tree in Kanha, blinking confusedly at the flashes of a dozen cameras. I wouldn't be surprised if they seriously impaired his vision - which means his hunting abilities, which means his chances of survival. At best, the flash is frightening and at worst, it could cause optical damage.
  
• Follow the Park rules. If certain areas are forbidden (such as fire lines) don't urge your driver to go there. Don't try to stay in the Park beyond the stipulated time. Don't get out of your vehicle if the rules forbid it - most tiger reserves don't allow tourists to go around on foot, for obvious reasons.