Eco-existence: Bamboo and Tigers

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.

PC: Somchai Rakin

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! )