Stories on Wildlife – A Tiger for Lucknow

It was hardly a five-line report buried discreetly inside page 7 of a national everyday, however it caught my eye. That was early January this year. A tiger, the report specified, had emerged at a place hardly 19 kilometres from Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh and undoubtedly one of the most populated places in India. “Hey, exactly what is this tiger doing so near Lucknow, and how did it reach here,” I questioned myself which brushing the paper aside. A freak phenomenon, I concluded.Little did I understand then that
the problem would quickly turn into one of the most discussed topics among environmentalists and wildlife enthusiasts alike … And would trigger a big tiger-chase which, in spite of the efforts of lots of forest officials, remains a chase: for the tiger still remains complimentary. Exactly what is more, the crafty huge cat now shares spotlight with top political leaders of the country, and it exploits appear on page one of a number of newspapers almost on a daily basis!But very first thing initially. The day I read about the tiger, our press reporter and cameraman Piyush Sharma was sent to the area … And what an area it was! A town which goes by the name of Rehman Kheda. Situated on the outskirts of Lucknow, you will need to squint your eyes to find the village on the map of Uttar Pradesh. We ultimately found it to be a small, sleepy place. Of course there is this substantial complex of Central Institute For Sub-Tropical Cultivation nearby, which gives some semblance of identity to Rehman Kheda … However suddenly, one fine morning in the January of 2012, Rehman Kheda and the Central Institute shot to spotlight. For, a wild tiger decided to show up and make itself comfortable in the area!It’s not every day that a tiger walks into habitation and begins living there … Which too so close to the political jungle of India’s most populated state! To be reasonable to the tiger

, it has actually acted precisely like the way the famous hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett envisioned it years ago: An ideal gentleman … So far, this particular tiger has actually not damaged a single human being, or produced scare of any kind … In fact, individuals of Rehman Kheda and some dozen odd villages in the area seem to be of similar personality. They do incline the tiger in their midst!Initially, there were doubts about the existence of tiger. However on the early morning of January 18, it was finally spotted by the people of Rehman Kheda.The night prior to, they heard it roaring outside the town. On January 19, our reporter Piyush photographed the pug marks- showing without a shadow of doubt the existence of a tiger.The tiger, it was discovered consequently, would spend the day in the Central Institute complex. Numerous mango trees, bushes and a large patch of grass-land within the complex provide ample hiding area to the tiger, and this is where it would invest bulk of the day.

In the evening, nevertheless, the tiger would come out of the complex and see Rehman Kheda and other villagers … Its pugmarks, spread all over the fields, unmistakably revealed its lonely journeys.Meanwhile, the forest authorities of Uttar Pradesh started efforts to snatch the wayward tiger. It holds true that the big feline has not harmed a human up until now, but it would be prudent not to take a chance.The first thing the forest authorities did was established traps at three places inside the central institute complex. To tempt it near the devices, they even set up goats as baits. Furthermore, a number of trap-cameras were positioned in and around the school to monitor the activities of elusive tiger.Subsequent photographs gathered by trap cameras showed the tiger was hugely delighting in the hospitality being provided to it. It eliminated and ate all the goats, however chose to remain away from the traps… Now who says tigers are not smart?The huge question is- where did this tiger originated from? Dudhwa National Park or the forests of Pilibhit area come naturally to mind. However exactly what is unclear is why did it choose Rehman Kheda? According to some officials, the tiger could have lost its area to a challenger- and hence was forced to move out and find a new territory. At finest, nevertheless, this stays a hypothesis.Whatever the reasons for the tiger’s unexpected appearance and its obvious reluctance to leave the location, the forest department has installed efforts to nab it. A group from Dehradun based Wildlife Institute of India is assisting the UP forest Department. It even got this tranquilising weapon for the forest personnel. However the tiger chose not to come within its range … When neither the traps nor the tranquilising weapons work, what does one do? Generate the elephant, of course! A trained elephant has actually been
brought specially from Dudhwa National Park to keep an eye on the tiger’s movement.So far, the tiger has actually outsmarted its pursuers. Life, too, goes on usually in Rehman Kheda. The amusing thing is, no one in the town appears to be too worked up about the tiger. My heart craves for a tryst with this brand-new nawab of Lucknow, but my official engagements as CMD of Raheja Developers keeps me from going there immediately. And being in my New Delhi workplace, I frequently question what the tiger’s next relocation could be. I can not assist but think about William Blake’s never-ceasing lines:” When the stars threw down their spears, And water ‘d paradise with their tears, Did He smile His work to see?Did He who made the lamb make thee?Tiger, tiger, burning intense In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Dare frame thy fearful balance?” For more info see:- http://www.navinraheja.com Navin Raheja a wildlife enthusiast and an enthusiastic photographer. Navin Raheja Chairman, Wildlife Preservation Society of India. Raheja Productions a subsidiary business of Raheja Developers. 100

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