Bamboo as we all know has thousands of application for societal purpose, but it has also got a deeper connection with the apex predator and keystone species of the Indian wildlife. You must be wondering, but how can there be a relation between bamboo and tiger? These two have an age old relation to co-exist. Though it is not documented enough, but very well-established it is!
Few days back, I came across an
article in local newspaper about the stagnant population of tigers in
Navegaon-Nagzira tiger reserve. Interestingly, one of the prime reasons for the
stagnant tiger population was the lack of bamboo groves.
The celebrity of Indian wildlife,
Royal Bengal Tiger, roams in a wide range of habitats including high altitudes,
tropical and subtropical rainforests, mangroves, and grasslands. But one thing
it prefers across such diverse landscapes is the presence of thick and dense
bamboo groves.
The national tiger census was
completed recently according to which the country has 2967 tigers. Out of which
the Maharashtra state has 312, Tadoba has 83 while the Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger
reserve has 6-7 tigers. A comparative study of the Nagzira and Tadoba tiger
reserve reveals an interesting scenario. Back in 1980's, both Nagzira and
Tadoba had about 6-8 tigers. But as of today, the tigers in Tadoba have crossed
100 plus mark, yet the tiger count in Nagzira is limited to only six.
Experts point to a fact that Tadoba
has always been the hotspot for tigers owing to the presence of grasslands and
thick bamboo groves. Tadoba has more area under bamboo which makes it conducive
for the tigers to hide and attack. They are more active in dense bamboo clumps
and thick bamboo groves, and prefer mating in such areas.
Despite of Navegaon-Nagzira being
an important wildlife corridor connecting Kanha, Pench and Tadoba reserve, tigers
do not prefer to stay here. Like other tourists, tigers come and visit Navegaon
but do not stay there for long. While
there could be many other factors attributable to it, but depletion of bamboo
resources is one of the prime concern. Comparatively, Navegao-Nagzira has much
lesser area under bamboo and the presence of monoculture teak plantations in
the area has also affected the tiger populations.
Forests are not just about the
trees, herbs and shrubs, it’s also about the small and tall grasses like bamboo.
The grasses on which the entire herbivores feed and the flagship carnivores
like tigers survive. Everything in nature is interdependent and if the tiger
has to thrive, bamboo has to survive. This wildlife week, let us pledge to
protect and preserve the infinite potential in the inter-connectedness of
nature!
(PS: I am not a wildlife expert, but as a learner and
explorer, I have tried to connect the dots between the bamboo and tiger. Hope
you enjoyed reading the post. Your comments are most welcome! )
