TRAFFIC India Head interview in Times of India

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*Q & A *

*‘Research should complement management efforts’ *

*TRAFFIC INDIA’S LATEST HANDBOOK ON WILDLIFE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN INDIA WAS

RECENTLY LAUNCHED.ITS AUTHOR,SAMIR SINHA,HEAD-TRAFFIC INDIA, THE WILDLIFE

TRADE MONITORING NETWORK TALKS TO TIRNA RAY *

*

How important is the issue of tiger conservation today? *

The tiger is not only India’s national animal but it is at the apex of the

ecological pyramid. Besides, it is an evaluator of the ecological health of

our forests. It is reported that over 300 rivers either emerge from or pass

through tiger habitats in India today. So by protecting the tiger we protect

our ecosystems and the various other species that share space with the

tiger. *

What is the role of researchers in regard to tiger conservation? *

Research can play a significant role in planning, implementing, monitoring

and evaluation of management efforts in tiger conservation. Quality research

can also serve as a warning system that works in advance in case things

start going wrong. Knowledge of tiger ecology, population dynamics,

prey-predator, copredator relationships, habitat ecology and poaching and

trade dynamics is central to efficient management of tiger conservation.

Research should be an integral part of — and should synergistically

complement — management efforts. *

What are the contemporary areas of research in wildlife conservation? *

We need to consistently and continuously research on issues such as habitat

ecology, habitat restoration, population dynamics and ecology of flagship

species. However, the focus of research interest should also extend to

lesser known species. Not enough attention seems to be paid to less

glamourous species such as amphibians or reptiles. But they may play a key

role as indicator species for the special habitats that they occupy.

Wildlife trade issues should also be actively studied and analysed. *

What kind of impact are these research works likely to have in the near

future? *

They will not only provide an insight into various species and their

ecological needs and roles, but also a strong scientific basis for their

future conservation. *

Considering the dismal number of existing tigers in India, what is the best

way to tackle illegal wildlife trade? *

There is no single or simple answer to this challenge. To strengthen

field-level protection, we should enable and empower the foot soldiers

(forest guards, rangers, etc) to conserve India’s biodiversity more

effectively. We must acknowledge their adverse work conditions and do

something about it. In addition, we need to work with local communities,

especially the youth, to generate ground support and awareness. Also,

intelligence driven enforcement must support such field conservation

efforts. Collaboration, co-operation and capacity building among various

enforcement agencies are crucial to a sustainable approach to tiger

conservation.

Also, we must engage with our neighbouring countries as well as the

consumer countries to take collective steps because most markets for such

wildlife products lie outside our geographical boundaries.

 

Regards

 

Programme Officer

TRAFFIC India

WWF India Secretariat

172-B, Lodi Estate, N.Delhi 110003, India

Tel: +91-11-41504786, Fax: +91-11-43516200

Visit us at

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emp/notesFFF692/www.traffic.org> "

 

 

TRAFFIC- the wildlife trade monitoring network- is a joint programme of WWF

and IUCN-The World Conservation Union. It works to ensure that trade in wild

plants and animals is not a threat to conservation of nature.

 

 

 

 

 

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