With the relentless surge of humanity, forests that are home to India’s big cats increasingly appear as shrinking, embattled islands when viewed from a high vantage point. Fuelwood collection, man-made fires, grazing and encroachments are the key drivers of forest degradation and shrinkage, forcing these big cats uncomfortably close to humans, escalating conflict, and eventually leading to their persecution.
In honour of Wildlife Week, let’s renew our pledge to conserve India’s big cats in their natural habitats. For in doing so, we will have conserved all the wonderful life forms that call these forests, scrublands, grasslands and mangrove swamps home.
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