Download Open Text Material Class VI Subject – Social Science Theme 2

Open Text Material
Class VI
Subject – Social Science
Theme 2: What Threats the Big Cats?
ABSTRACT
Tigers are a conservation dependent species. By virtue of being the top predator, the tiger functions as an
umbrella species for the conservation of biodiversity, ecosystem functions, goods, and services in forest
systems of Asia.“Connecting Tiger Populations for Long-Term Conservation" — is a first-of-its-kind report
identifying India's vanishing forest corridors.
Mihika had visited Sundarban Tiger Reserve along with her family members during winter vacation. She was
very disheartened not having been able to see any tiger in the forest. She expressed her disappointment to her
social science teacher. The teacher gave the class a very interesting piece of information.
Where is the path for the Big Cats?
Indian tigers have come roaring back to life from the crisis of 2006, when just 1,411 were found to be left in the
wild.
Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar's announcement that the 2014 tiger census showed a 30%
increase in the big cat's numbers in four years has been greeted as a success of India's conservation efforts.
The turn around, indeed, is impressive. But in the flush of excitement over the tiger numbers, another important
report released by the minister that day went largely unnoticed. That study — "Connecting Tiger Populations
for Long-Term Conservation" — is a first-of-its-kind report identifying India's vanishing forest corridors.
Forest corridors are green spaces, with some or no official protection, that link one protected forest with
another. They are channels allowing movement of tigers between forests which ensures genetic diversity and
health of the big cat population. The corridors are vanishing under the demands of development, population
growth and short-sighted project designs.
In the Terai region of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh for instance, growing cities are cutting off forest links. The
HaridwarRishikesh complex has virtually cleaved the Rajaji National Park.
Officials say no tiger movement has taken place in this corridor for years. As a result, the tiger population of
western Rajaji is dying, with just two aging females.
In Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, road projects on NH-6 and NH-7 are threatening to cut off tiger habitats.
"The highway is needed. But it has to be built with mitigation measures. Else, we would lose the tiger
population of Pench because it's too small a forest to sustain the animal," said an activist.
Road projects in the northeast — one threatening the link between Kaziranga and Karbi-Anglong and another
between Kaziranga and Pakke Nameri on the Assam Arunachal Pradesh border — have thrown up similar
issues.
Forests in and around the Western Ghats, which hold the largest contiguous tiger population in the world are
under pressure as well.
Across central India, constant battles are being fought over coal mines. For instance, the corridor between
Satpura National Park and Pench passes through several mines covering around 1,000 sq km. When the issue
of opening up this area for mining was referred to WII, it recommended that a 100 sq km be left alone. "There
was huge pressure to allow mining on an 80-hectare patch belonging to a politician that falls bang in the middle
of the corridor," says a source.
"It's not just about the tigers," says a tiger activist . "These corridors are indicators of the health of our ecosystems that provide also livelihoods, life support system, goods and services. “
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
1. Why do you think it is necessary to maintain the forest corridors in India?
2. Analyze the graph given in the text and write your observations.
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