While the nation is celebrating the increase in population of tigers, according to the latest census, four to six-year-olds from Malabar Hill, are trying to give the country a reality check.
While the nation is celebrating the increase in population of tigers, according to the latest census, four to six-year-olds from Malabar Hill, are trying to give the country a reality check. Through a signature campaign, exhibits and puppets, these toddlers have pitched in to save the tiger.
Sumer Hiremath, 6, feels that the census findings fail to paint the real picture. “Though the March 27 census says that the number of tigers has increased to 1,706, which is more than the earlier number of 1400’s, it is giving a wrong impression that the tiger population has grown. In reality, this year, the government has counted additional number of habitats than the last time. We want to spread this message so that they double their conservation efforts,” he said.
Like him several other children of Cathedral and John Connon Infant School, Malbar Hill, are out to save the big cat. On April 7, students collected nearly 500 signatures on a 23feet long petition scroll, which will be handed over to the prime minister. The length of the petition scroll was designed to match the distance covered by a wild cat in one jump. Also, the creative art done for the Save the Tiger campaigns will be used as shopping bags to get the city more involved.
Bittu Sahgal, editor, Sanctuary Asia magazine, who was the chief guest for the occasion, said, “It is nice to see that the children are analysing information at such a young age. The loss of 20,000 sq km of habitat is the real story and is more critical than any periodic ups and downs in numbers. Habitats, which we had hoped tigers would move into using corridors, are being wiped out.”
Surprised at the responsibility taken on by their young ones, parents said that the children were inspiring them to follow the conservation road. “I was stunned to see my toddler talk like an authority on the subject of tigers. The school has begun the process of environmental awareness even in such early years of the child,” said Dr Sonali Rao, a parent.
The school had provided awareness classes to students along with the Save the Tigers foundation by showcasing movies and presentations about this issue.
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