Tiger, Tribe & Tourism, it looks like that they are
dependent on each other. Since ages Tigers & Tribes both are living with
each other in forest areas with respect for each other. Tribal people worship
Tiger as God as they consider him as a representative of God who will save them
from evil and negative energies. Since ages Tribal people are dependent on
tigers, wildlife and forest for their food and fodder so Tribes take care of
Wildlife and forest areas by saving it from hunters. Tigers and Tribal people
are the best example of co-existence of man and animal without causing harm to
each other. Tribes were wholly dependent of forest in the past as well as in
the present era for their livelihood and livestock. In the past they kill
animals for their food, use wood as a fuel and grasslands for grazing of
animals but with the change of time they are dependent on the forest in other
form by working as component of Tourism Sector. Tourism is playing a great role
in providing good standard of living to the tribal people.
Till few previous years tribal people were
not updated with the technological changes, living standards. They were living
their lives on the basis of their traditional custom. But tourism has changes
their lives drastically. Tourism activities and welfare policies have made the
tribal literate and confident. They are living a good life and their children
are getting good education, families are getting good health facilities and
they are getting good income as well as respect only due to forest areas. In
forest areas many activities are conducted in which help of tribal people is
taken and they are given preferences for the wildlife related activities. They
provide their services in the form of Drivers, Guide, forest guards, helpers,
staff member in any hotel or restaurant and many other forms. While discharging
their duties they take care that forest and mainly tiger is not negatively
impacted. They make many things from the material they collect from forest
areas. They are the one who along with forest department are working for the
conservation of tigers, wildlife and forest.
Tourism
also helps in educating people and making them aware about the importance of
wildlife, forest, eco-system which in turn helps in motivating them to take
steps on individual level to make more people aware about importance of forest
and green cover. Tourism also helps in bringing people of different areas that
may result in performing certain activities in more effective manner
So it
can be said that Tigers, Tribe and Tourism are associated with each other as
well as interdependent on each other. Tourism may be promoted in such a way that
it may increase the standard of living of tribal people and make them that much
efficient that they can compete with a non-tribal person.
Sanidhya Pastore
