Environment Education

Seige of Corbett Tiger Reserve Bittu Sahgal With an estimated 600 educational institutions located in and around Dehra Dun, this administrative capital of the state of Uttaranchal, should rightly be called the education capital of India. Working with teachers such as Arvind Chelasani of the Doon School and with NGOs such as the Friends of Doon, I have been trying to ensure that the great forests of this Himalayan region are preserved for future generations. On my side are over 75,000 students who lend their strength to our Kids for Tigers campaign that advocates protection of tigers, el ephants and forests in Uttaranchal. Even as these children pursue their formal education, a group of dedicated individuals including Bikram Grewal, author and ornithologist, have made it their mission to introduce young people to the joys of birdwatching and trekking. Through these activities we hope to instill an innate respect for nature in future citizens. Our allies in this mission are scores of naturalists, teachers and even government officials who feel that the only real chance we have to protect India‚s rich natural heritage is to change the attitude of the next generation. I have always loved the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttaranchal. In preparation for a series of meetings to commemorate three decades of Project Tiger, I recently visited Uttaranchal to meet with conservationists like Brijendra Singh, one of Corbett‚s greatest champions. Over the years Brij has exemplified a very basic truth pertaining to wildlife conser-vation: “One determined person can sometimes help even the most threatened forests to survive in the face of all odds.”Fateh Singh Rathore, for instance, was the man who saved Ranthambhore. Billy Arjun Singh continues to battle for Dudhwa. The late S.R. Choudhury protected Simlipal until the day he died. The same was true of S.Deb Roy who managed to save the Manas Tiger Reserve from serious threat. It‚s verily an educational experience to tour a forest with Brij, a quintessential wildlifer if ever I saw one. He is more alive watching gharials and elephants than when negotiating the hustle and bustle of urban life in Delhi, where he has a home. Using every means at his disposal, over the years he has lobbied, fought and slaved to protect Kumaon‚s “land of roar and trumpet”. I spoke to Brij about the possibility of environment studies becoming part and parcel of school curriculums. While both of us felt this was a step forward, he is worried that the wrong people might be placed in charge of formulating syllabuses and curriculums. There is for instance, the possibility that children will be taught that nuclear power generation is in the national interest. Or that natural forests should be cleared and replaced by man-made plantations. Unfortunately this is the prevailing wisdom in the corridors of power. And it‚s exemplified by what is happening around Corbett Tiger Reserve. “I wonder how much longer the tiger has to live,” Brij said somewhat morosely to me as we drove along the course of the…