What impact would the year of the tiger in China have on Indian tigers?
I met traders in China and they mentioned that the demand for tiger parts is increasing in China. The Year of the Tiger will definitely fuel demand for tiger parts which is a flourishing business in China. This demand would have a detrimental effect on tiger conservation in India and could lead to more tigers being poached. It is also a wonderful opportunity to create awareness in China about the few tigers that are left in the world. The international community should build pressure on China to stop trading in tiger parts. Despite so much funding why is Project Tiger unsuccessful in curbing poaching in India? Money doesn’t buy motivation, commitment or political will. The central government has shown concern about dwindling numbers, but states don’t give much importance to tigers. The tiger is an inconvenience because it involves people who live in tiger habitats, and politicians are only bothered about vote bank politics. State governments are in a state of denial whenever the issue
