CEO Insights Hall of Fame: 8 Legends Who Keep India Evergreen
Kailash Sankhala: The Tiger Man of India
Most of us are familiar with the famous tiger reserve in Uttrakhand bearing Jim Corbett's name, and the role he played in tiger conservation in India. But only a few know about Kailash Sankhala, who went by the title "Tiger Man of India." He was instrumental in changing the course of animal conservation in India, especially with regard to tigers.
The Tiger Man of India, Kailash Sankhala, was a pioneering conservationist who made a lasting impact on India's attempts to protect its wildlife. Project Tiger was founded as a result of his unwavering commitment to tiger protection. After 50 years of Project Tiger, India is home to about 75 percent of the world's wild tiger population, demonstrating the initiative's success. A new generation of conservationists is continually motivated by Sankhala's teaching programs and unshakable dedication to preserving tigers and their habitat. His legacy is proof of the ability of one person's fervor and tenacity to have a profound effect on the field of wildlife conservation.
Kailash Sankhala joined the Indian Forest Service in 1957 after earning a postgraduate diploma in forestry from Indian Forest College in Dehra Dun in 1953 and a master's degree in botany from Jaswant College in Jodhpur in 1950. His illustrious career started as the Executive Conservator of Forests. Known as the best "zoo-man" in India, he was the Director of the Delhi Zoological Park from 1965 to 1970.
Saved Endangered Bengal Tigers
Project Tiger, a ground-breaking effort to save the endangered Bengal tiger and its natural habitat, was founded in 1973 thanks in large part to Kailash Sankhala. This project was started by the Indian government, and Sankhala was named as its first director.
Project Tiger's main objective was to stop the tiger population's sharp decline, which had reached dangerous proportions as a result of habitat degradation and poaching. Remarkably, Jim Corbett National Park in Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand), one of the most well-known locations for tigers in India, served as the launchpad for Project Tiger on April 1, 1973.
Took Various Steps to Protect Tiger Habitat
Project Tiger put in place a number of steps to protect the tiger's habitat and stop poaching under Sankhala's direction. This involved establishing tiger reserves, educating forest guards, and enforcing strict anti-poaching legislation. The early achievements of this effort were greatly aided by Sankhala's unrelenting dedication to and enthusiasm for tiger conservation.
He Believed Protecting Tigers is Also the Public’s Duty
According to Kailash, people should actively participate in tiger conservation; it is not solely the government's duty. He put in a lot of effort to bring attention to the predicament of tigers in India.
To raise awareness of the value of tiger protection, Kailash started a number of educational initiatives, including publications and videos.
His work promoted a feeling of pride in India's vast biodiversity and the importance of preserving it.
Earned Acclaim for Saving India’s Biodiversity and Bengal Tigers
Kailash received a great deal of praise and acclaim for his outstanding efforts to save India's biodiversity and Bengal tigers. He was recognized for his exceptional work in animal conservation in 1982 with the coveted Padma Shri award, one of India's highest civilian distinctions. His legacy endures thanks to Project Tiger's ongoing success, which has greatly aided in India's tiger population's resurgence.