Machhali, 12, & Sundar, 14, bag first lifetime achievement award.
Machhali is among the most photographed members of her tribe. Sundar, a grand old member of his clan, is also no stranger to fame. Together, they have probably earned hundreds of crores.
While no amount of money can reward their fight for survival in a hostile region full of poachers, the 12-year-old tigress and 14-year-old tiger were on Friday night jointly conferred the first Travel Operators for Tigers (Toft) Lifetime Achievement Award by the British High Commission in India.
Established in 2004, Toft is a non-profit organisation representing the wildlife tourism community.
Machhali and Sunder are symbols of hope for tigers, whose population has been dwindling steadily in the country, primarily due to poaching. While Machhali, a dominant resident of Rajasthan’s Ranthambore tourism zone since 1997, has brought up 11 cubs, Sundar has sired more than 35 tigers in the Tala tourism range in Madhya Pradesh. Two of Machhali’s cubs are now in the Sariska National Park in Rajasthan.
The tigress, with a Facebook page dedicated to her, has been seen by over 1,50,000 visitors. She has featured in several documentaries, including BBC’s Danger in Tiger’s Paradise.
“Machhali earns as much as a top cricketer or Bollywood actress — she literally provides livelihood to thousands of people from forest guards to wildlife guides, drivers to hoteliers,” said Julian Matthews, founder, Toft.
Sundar, also known as B2, has earned nearly $30 million for the Tala tourism range over seven years.
“The idea [behind the award] is to highlight the work of all those involved in the wildlife tourism industry,” said Abhishek Behl, Toft India director.
For obvious reasons, the two tigers couldn’t accept the honour personally. The award — a replica of a sambhar, and a citation — was collected by Ranthambore field director Shafaat Hussain on Machhali’s behalf and Gopa Pandey, CEO, Madhya Pradesh Eco-tourism Development Board, for Sundar.
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