A roar for saving the tigers

If illegal activities are not checked, the animal will race towards extinction

We are striving to colonise space, take life to the moon. But we may just be destroying a beautiful part of it here on Earth. The big cats that grace our planet are becoming small in number.

Rampant poaching of tigers, smuggling of their body parts for medicinal purposes, corrupt forestry staff and inadequate security are causing India's national animal to disappear even from its so-called protected forests.

Though the country spends Rs230 million (Dh19.8 million) on project Protect Tiger, money is siphoned off by officials who complain that enough funds have not been provided for the animal's protection.

Tough punishments for poachers and corrupt officials have to be enforced if the Asian tiger is to be saved. No offender should be above the law. Trading of tiger products should also be controlled.

Tiger monitoring and protection programmes need to be adopted, aimed not just at preserving the species but also at creating public awareness of the tiger's endangered status and wildlife conservation.