A recent Indian census cited an increase in tiger population, but local children are challenging the findings and calling for increased conservation efforts.
Six-year-old Sumer Hiremath, one of the students at Cathedral and John Connon Infant School, Malbar Hill, said, “Though the March 27 census says that the number of tigers has increased to 1,706, which is more than the earlier number of 1400’s, it is giving a wrong impression that the tiger population has grown. In reality, this year, the government has counted additional number of habitats than the last time. We want to spread this message so that they double their conservation efforts.” Yesterday Sumer and his classmates collected 500 signatures on a 23-foot long scroll. The petition’s length was intentional: it represented the length of a wild cat’s jump.
In addition to the petition, which will be handed to the prime minister, the children designed artwork to raise conservation awareness. To further draw attention to the cause, the artwork will be used to create shopping bags for the community. The students’ parents were so taken by the dedication and passion of their children, they are now inspired to join them in their efforts.
Bittu Sahgal, the editor of Sanctuary Asia magazine said, “It is nice to see that the children are analyzing information at such a young age. The loss of 20,000 sq km of habitat is the real story and is more critical than any periodic ups and downs in numbers. Habitats, which we had hoped tigers would move into using corridors, are being wiped out.”
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Great article! So happy that these children are taking an interest in conservation instead of following in their adults’ footsteps of eradication…