The basic issue is apathy, which has led to the neglect of our forests and wildlife. India is perhaps the only nation where there is no active green party. Politically, ecology has just not been a matter of concern. Some politicians have cared for the environment, especially Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi, but overall, there has been apathy and even when the government has intervened, it has been in the form of knee-jerk reactions. Wildlife tourism has created havoc in the hitherto protected environs. Illegal logging and poaching continues because of complicity at the local level, and the natural habitats are being encroached upon for fodder, mining and human habitation.

Not only are there far less tigers today than they were in the 1990s, they are also living on unsafe and insecure existence, to an extent that more big cats are turning into man-eaters than earlier. The Indian Forest Service has some bright people on its rolls, but it is a top-heavy organisation with the ill-trained and ill-equipped ground staff being the weakest link. There are 4,000 vacancies of forest guard. The Prime Minister has taken the initiative, but much more needs to be done to protect the tiger and other wild animals.