It's time to act: An open letter to PM Modi and Prakash Javadekar from tigers of India

Inspired by the open letters from film-makers, actors, historians and other two-legged Indians, more than 2,600 tigers of the country decided to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and environment minister Prakash Javadekar with an impassioned plea: Save Forests, Save Tigers Dear Prime Minister ji and Environment Minister ji Warm greetings on Global Tiger Day from all of us.

We understand that today, when our census numbers will be announced, India is set to cement its proud legacy of being the biggest tiger-bearing country in the world. There is palpable excitement that in our classless society, our numbers have grown significantly.

We are sure the country will rejoice. It is certainly an achievement to tom-tom about. But we are very perturbed by the way we are being treated by your fellow humans. Frankly, it's inhuman.

Only last week, we got terrible news from two parts of the country. In Pilibhit, one of us was ruthlessly caned to death. In Bandipur, another veteran was killed in a hit-and-run. Just a couple of weeks earlier, a youngster mustered the courage to run across the national highway near Pench in Central India - and survived to tell his tale.

Just because we can only converse in a language not known to humans, we are being treated with contempt. Yes, there are the notorious ones among us, and we are trying to mend their wicked ways. However, there is a growing sense that these incidents are symptomatic of the 'classy' society you live in.

Believe us when we say that none of us has ill-feelings towards humans. We have coexisted for centuries; my ancestors were even worshipped by yours, thanks to our being the 'vaahan' of Lord Ayyappa and Goddess Durga. Today, we are forced to pray with folded hands to you. We are at your mercy.

We growl a quiet prayer: While crossing the roads that scythe through our habitats, some of our siblings have been painfully separated. We venture out of the forests for water or food only because we are forced to; we come within even 3km of a human settlement with no intention of causing any harm; we walk past a farm fence with the fear of being electrocuted, when we are only migrating to greener pastures. And, many more.

It is in our nature to procreate easily. Our kids are born three months after you know-what, usually as twins, triplets and sometimes even more. We are worried about their future. As humans are illegally setting up Aadhaar-residence proofs in our dwindling areas, our dispersing youngsters are the ones who are extremely vulnerable. Tigers have always formed nuclear families and perforce have to separate from their parents as soon as we turn two.

At our recent conclave, there was a suggestion from a matriarch that it's time we brought in family planning measures. The proposal was shot down by most as we do not have the confidence to entrust humans with this simple task. Again, you will agree, that this can't be the solution.

We are also not enthused by the various greening programmes that are mundanely undertaken prior to the always-delayed monsoon. We know that our areas are restricted. What we beg of you with folded hands is to at least not destroy the existing forests. We have survived so far, and will find a way to do so in the future too. But, needless to say, we need your unbiased help.

We can see a water war looming in the not-too-distant future. Humans as well as animals will be affected. Your only solution is to save us. In doing so, you will unwittingly increase the forest areas, which has a direct bearing on water resources. The time to think has long gone, it's time to act. Now!

Yours in good faith, (Letter typed and signed by Sunil Warrier on behalf of Maya, Kankatta, Bittu, T1, T12, T3, T16, Choti Tara, Matkasur, Chota Matkasur and more than 2,600 tigers).