Mysuru:  “Globally, the population of the ‘great cat’ tiger including the sub-species is 3,890 in the wilderness. Of these, 2,967 are in India. US alone accounts for 5,000 tigers in captivity,” said M. Mohan Kumar, Chief Naturalist, Kanha National Park, also Field Director, Tiger Adventure Foundation, Mysuru. 

He spoke at a workshop on ‘Conservation of Flora and Fauna’ organised by the Department of Environmental Studies and IQAC (Internal Quality Assessment Cell) of SBRR Mahajana First Grade College, at its premises here recently. 

Speaking on the topic ‘Tigers in Peril,’ he said that India has seen a significant rise in the tiger population — 33 percent in the last four years. While the increase in number is good keeping in mind it is an endangered species, the swelling number could also spell disaster for them.

“Tigers are highly territorial; they fight for it. Lack of territorial space is a threat faced in the conservation. With an average lifespan of 14 year in wilderness, the male tiger lives in a territory of 30-40 sq.km, while the female tiger lives in an area 15-20 sq.km. They can live in all climate and weather conditions except the desert,” said Mohan Kumar and added, “the threats to their existence is habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, poaching etc. Methods of conservation are protection management research, tourism, education and filming.”

Dr. Shankar Bhat, Professor of Microbiology, University of Mysore (UoM), who spoke on the topic ‘Plant Microbes and Environment,’ said about the threats to plants by microbes and emphasised on the importance of field study to protect them.

Mahajana Education Society (MES) Hon. Secretary Dr. Vijayalakshmi Muralidhar, SBRR Mahajana First Grade College CEO and Academic Advisor Dr. S.R. Ramesh, Principal Dr. S. Venkataramu and HoD of Environmental Studies M.H. Sunitha were present on the occasion. Students of 1st year B.Com attended the programme.