Saving big cats: Can farmers be next eco-warriors?

ECOSYSTEM FARMERS? Experts say, involving farmers could be the most innovative idea to save tigers.

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New Delhi: In a historic meet, conservationists and government agencies brainstormed on ways to use the economic benefits of the carbon market, by involving local communities which could be one of the most innovative ideas to save tigers.

"We are thinking basket of benefits such as NREG, voluntary carbon offsets and tourism benefits. But can a farmer instead of growing wheat and bajra become an ecosystem farmer?" questions Sanctuary Asia editor, Bittu Sahgal.

Twenty eight per cent of India's villages are either inside or around the forest putting pressure on the tiger habitat. And deforestation further contributes to climate change by releasing carbon.

Experts say, if the incentives be given to villagers for not lopping the forests, they might turn into next eco-warriors.

"Currently the dwellers are using firewood which is the alternative is the solar cooker, bio-gas which means alternative renewable sources of cooking," says Nature First, cheif executive, Samir Menon.

Conservationists are also stressing on to secure tiger corridors, most of which lies outside the protected areas.

"People who live in corridors must be given the preferred treatment. If they were to find a financial viability in not farming but instead allowing the forest to come back, I will believe then the corridors will be connected," says Sahgal.

The message is clear - local communities need to be involved in tiger conservation. Conservationists believe this will not only save the forests but might also put the man-animal conflict to an end.