‘Reintroduction efforts have mostly failed': Karanth questions Cambodia's readiness
n Tigers in Cambodia went extinct from lack of prey and direct poaching 25 years ago.
I was involved in advising the Wildlife Conservation Society's camera trap surveys there. As I expected, tigers soon went extinct.
If large protected areas with abundant wild prey are not available—which is my worry—any reintroduced tigers will also meet with the same fate.
You have expressed skepticism about Cambodia's ability to support a thriving tiger population. What specific ecological or management factors make the project risky?
n Although extensive suitable deciduous forests are there in the northern plains and Mondulkiri and other provinces of Cambodia, the prey base has been hunted out.
Mere presence of prey species is not a useful yardstick. Prey densities of at least 10–15 large ungulates over extensive areas are needed to support even a handful of tigers, let alone a viable tiger population.
Second, Cambodia has a deep-rooted hunting culture, like we have in the northeastern hill states. Wild animals are snared, trapped, or shot and then eaten or sold all over the country. Strong anti-poaching efforts exist in at least some areas of India and Thailand, which has led to tiger recovery.
These are not typical of Cambodia. These are the risks.
The Cambodian government claims to have restored prey populations and secured habitats for the reintroduced tigers. Do you think these efforts are adequate?
n I have not been to the forests of Cambodia in decades. I am skeptical of such claims based on history. My former colleague Colin Poole will have better knowledge of the current status of prey animals and conservation there.
What lessons can be drawn from previous tiger reintroduction efforts in India, such as those in Sariska and Panna, and how do they apply to Cambodia?
n Tiger reintroduction efforts have mostly failed and caused serious human–tiger conflicts in India if you look at the overall track record. Undoubtedly, the Panna effort worked because a large protected area with wild prey (and domestic prey left at site by relocated villagers) existed even after all tigers had been selectively hunted and gone extinct by 2009.
Protection was improved, and tigers which were already experienced in hunting (and I think a pregnant tigress too) were introduced and reestablished the population in Panna successfully.
The Sariska experiment is an ego trip driven by local tourism interests. Crores have been spent in establishing a small unviable population amidst a sea of humanity. That is hardly the model for Cambodia. Hyping a few successes while hushing up far more failed reintroductions is not a scientific approach to the issue.
Are there alternative strategies you would recommend to Cambodia to rebuild its tiger population, rather than relying on translocation from India?
n Thailand has a large 20,000 sq km forest in the Western Forest Complex, which had lost most of its tigers by 1990. After 2000 they set up effective patrols as well as rigorous scientific monitoring of prey and tigers under my guidance, and today after two decades tigers have recovered.
These include tigers moving in to recolonize the better-protected areas. Cambodia should patiently restore prey in extensive habitats in a scientifically provable manner first.
Once that is done, tigers can naturally move in from Thailand or even be brought in carefully controlled experiments.
Some conservationists argue that such international projects enhance global collaboration and bring funding for habitat protection. Do you see any positive aspects in India's decision to export tigers?
n Karanth: No, only grandstanding by officials on both sides.
Cambodians have to do the hard work first.
What safeguards should be in place—in terms of habitat management, prey base, and protection against poaching—before a single tiger is released in Cambodia?
n I have covered all this above.
Finally, what message would you like to give policymakers in India and Cambodia regarding this ambitious reintroduction plan?
n Who cares about my messages? Indian policymakers should focus on the problems that they face at home first before trying to preach to other countries about tigers.
They should start by totally revamping the current non-transparent tiger-prey monitoring system that is poorly designed and unscientific.
Raw data generated are hidden from public view and tiger numbers appear to be changed according to political needs. It all started with setting the absurdly low number of 1,400 tigers in 2006, down from 3,600 in 2002, to serve political needs after extinctions in Sariska. India can have at least 10,000 tigers spread more evenly over 400,000 sq km of potential habitats we have in the country.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fibre2Fashion
2 days ago
- Fibre2Fashion
Cambodia expects to attract over 500 projects with reduced US tariff
Cambodia expects to attract over 500 investment projects, potentially generating over 300,000 jobs annually, with the United States recently reducing the reciprocal tariff rate on the country's exports from 49 per cent to 19 per cent. 'The new 19-per cent import duty allows Cambodian products to compete fairly with regional countries. It is also expected to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI), helping the Kingdom advance its economic growth ambitions,' Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and first vice chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), told a press conference. Cambodia expects to attract over 500 investment projects, potentially generating over 300,000 jobs annually, with the United States recently reducing the reciprocal tariff rate on the country's exports from 49 per cent to 19 per cent. Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol urged all migrant workers to return home and contribute to national economic development. He urged all migrant workers to return home and contribute to national economic development. Working abroad offers limited benefit to Cambodia's economy, while domestic employment plays a vital role in driving growth, reducing poverty and strengthening the Kingdom's long-term development trajectory, he was cited as saying by domestic media outlets. The US decision followed phone calls between Prime Minister Hun Manet and President Donald Trump on July 26 and 28, during which he requested tariff relief to improve the living standards of the Cambodian people. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 days ago
- First Post
Cambodia, Thailand discuss ceasefire monitoring, POW issues in Malaysia meeting
Thai and Cambodian officials kicked off high-stakes border talks in Malaysia on Monday, aiming to cement the fragile ceasefire that followed five days of deadly clashes. read more Military attaches from various countries visit a hospital that was damaged after Cambodia fired artillery shells in Sisaket province, Thailand. File image/ AP Thai and Cambodian officials gathered in Malaysia on Monday for the first round of cross-border committee negotiations since a tense truce was agreed upon last week following five days of deadly armed border battles that killed dozens and displaced over 260,000 people. The four-day General Border Committee meetings were originally scheduled to be held by Cambodia, but both parties eventually agreed on a neutral site in Malaysia, the annual chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which negotiated the cease-fire last month. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The truce on July 28 came in response to economic pressure from US President Donald Trump, who had told the warring nations that if the conflict continued, the US would not sign trade deals with them. Following the ceasefire, Washington reduced duties on imports from both nations from 36% to 19% on August 1. Monday's discussions centred on smoothing out specifics to avoid more clashes. Discussions of the decades-long rival territorial claims over the patches of territory near the common boundary are not on the agenda. A history of hostility Thailand and Cambodia have been feuding neighbors for centuries, since both were mighty empires. In modern times, a 1962 ruling by the International Court of Justice awarding Cambodia the land on which the ancient Preah Vihear temple stands marked a new low point in relations, and other border territory remained claimed by both countries. Fighting erupted in 2011 at Preah Vihaer, after which the ICJ in 2013 reaffirmed its earlier ruling, rankling Thailand. Relations deteriorated again sharply in May this year, when a Cambodian soldier was shot dead in a brief fracas in one of the disputed border zones, setting off diplomatic and trade sanctions, one against the other. Soon after two incidents last month in which Thai soldiers were wounded by land mines in disputed territory — for which Thailand blamed Cambodia — the two sides downgraded diplomatic relations and fighting broke out, each side blaming the other for starting the armed clashes. The talks this week will include finalizing details and scope of reference for an ASEAN monitoring team, Malaysian Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Mohamad Nizam Jaffar said Monday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite some reports of attacks after the ceasefire came into effect, Nizam said such incidents were typical spillover violence and both sides showed strong commitment during Monday's talks to uphold the ceasefire. The main session of the General Border Committee on Thursday will be led by Thai Deputy Defense Minister Gen. Natthaphon Nakpanit and Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seih, who also serves as deputy prime minister, and include observers from Malaysia, the United States and China, officials said. Despite the truce, tensions have persisted as both countries organized tours of the former battle areas for foreign diplomats and other observers to highlight damage allegedly caused by the other side. The two countries also continue to accuse each other of having violated international humanitarian laws with attacks on civilians and the use of illegal weapons. The battles are now fought on the propaganda front The propaganda war continues with accusations, denials, and cries of 'fake news,' while supporters of each side also tangle on social media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Each side has blamed the other for starting the fighting and for indiscriminately targeting civilian sites with long-range weapons such as artillery and rockets, and using prohibited weapons. The hottest issue is Cambodia's allegations that Thailand has mistreated and tortured a squad of captured Cambodian soldiers. Two wounded members of the 20-man Cambodian group were repatriated on Friday. However, Thai officials said Monday that the soldiers 'qualify as prisoners of war' and 'will be released and repatriated only when the armed conflict ends,' which it considers a separate matter from last week's ceasefire. Thai military spokesperson Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri said at a news briefing Monday that Thailand has invited representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, and the U.N.'s Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, OHCHR, 'to visit the detained Cambodian soldiers on site.' Cambodia had called for such access. Neither the ICRC nor the OHCHR responded to a query from The Associated Press asking about any communications with the two governments. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Cambodia's king formalizes former leader Hun Sen's military role A surprise statement on Monday night in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh announced that Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni issued a Royal Decree authorizing the country's influential former leader Hun Sen to work together with his son, Prime Minister Hun Manet, in guiding military and national defense affairs. The king's decree said he was acting because the nation 'is suffering from serious violations and threats to its territorial integrity by the Thai soldiers, and in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution of Cambodia.' King Sihamoni generally keeps a low profile and exercises no political power or influence, taking no initiative in any state or government work. The 72-year-old Hun Sen, who is very active on social media, maintained a high profile during the fighting, urging his country's soldiers and hurling invective at Thailand and its leaders. He was once a guerrilla fighter with the Communist Khmer Rouge. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It was not clear why Hun Sen would need or want authorization from King Sihamoni, since there has been no open dissent inside the country criticizing his actions during the conflict. The decree appeared to be a response to foreign news stories suggesting Hun Sen was usurping his son's authority. Hun Sen seemed to confirm this, saying on Facebook that he was exercising his rights as a five-star general with experience 'to fight the thieves who invaded my country,' after noting criticism from Thai media.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
Thai, Cambodian officials meet in Malaysia to finalise ceasefire terms
Thai and Cambodian officials met in Malaysia on Monday for the first round of cross-border committee talks since a tense ceasefire was brokered last week after five days of deadly armed border clashes that killed dozens and displaced over 260,000 people. The four-day General Border Committee meetings were initially due to be hosted by Cambodia, but both sides later agreed to a neutral venue in Malaysia, the annual chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which has mediated the halt in hostilities last month. The July 28 ceasefire followed economic pressure from President Donald Trump, who had warned the two warring nations that the US would not conclude trade deals with them if the fighting persisted. Washington lowered tariffs on goods from the two countries from 36 per cent to 19 per cent on Aug 1 following the truce. Monday's talks focused on ironing out details to avoid further clashes. Discussions of the decades-long competing territorial claims over the pockets of land near the shared border are not on the agenda. Thailand and Cambodia have been feuding neighbours for centuries, since both were mighty empires. In modern times, a 1962 ruling by the International Court of Justice awarding Cambodia the land on which the ancient Preah Vihear temple stands marked a new low point in relations, and other border territory remained claimed by both countries. Fighting erupted in 2011 at Preah Vihaer, after which the International Court of Justice in 2013 reaffirmed its earlier ruling, rankling Thailand. Relations deteriorated again sharply in May this year, when a Cambodian soldier was shot dead in a brief fracas in one of the disputed border zones, setting off diplomatic and trade sanctions, one against the other. Soon after two incidents last month in which Thai soldiers were wounded by land mines in disputed territory, for which Thailand blamed Cambodia, the two sides downgraded diplomatic relations and fighting broke out, each side blaming the other for starting the armed clashes. Thai Deputy Defence Minister Gen Natthaphon Nakpanit is leading a delegation that includes representatives of all branches of the military, in addition to the police force and the ministries of foreign affairs, interior and defence, as well as the National Security Council. Thai military spokesperson Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri in Bangkok said the main session of the General Border Committee on Thursday would include observers from Malaysia, the United States and China. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Seiha is leading Cambodia's delegation, accompanied by armed forces commander Gen Vong Pisen. Despite the truce, tensions have persisted as both countries organised tours of the former battle areas for foreign diplomats and other observers to highlight damage allegedly caused by the other side. The two countries also continue to accuse each other of having violated international humanitarian laws with attacks on civilians and the use of illegal weapons. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
