HOW CAN YOU HELP TO SAVE TIGERS?

Tigers are on the threshold of extinction. Over the last century more than 95% of the Tiger population has been wiped out & three sub-species are already extinct. There were about 100,000 tigers roaming wild at the start of the 20th century. But today less than 3500 tigers remain in the wild with around 50% in India & their numbers are declining fast

Tigers are threatened by many factors, including "poaching, habitat loss, poorly planned development and illegal trafficking."

Illegal trade in tiger parts needs to be stopped. There are numerous ways you can help save tigers :-

Stop Using Tiger Parts: Avoid tiger bone handicrafts, medicines and other tiger products to save the tiger.
Stay Informed: The more aware you are of the status of tiger the more effective you will be in helping to save it. You can stay informed through the magazines, internet, current journals and the media.
Take Action & Create Awareness: There are numerous things you can do to increase the level of awareness.
For example you might organize an event that educates the public about tigers research, products you consume to ensure they don't contain tiger parts and you can even write letters to the editor of a newspaper to create awareness.

When we protect one tiger, we protect about a 100 sq. km of area and thus save other species living in its habitat. Therefore, it’s not just about saving the pride of India and an Iconic species but is about saving many other species that live in the same habitat as the tiger does. To some extent it is also about saving our own future. so that this planet can be a living planet for the children yet to come. For it is said in the eyes of the tiger lies our very own survival.

THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR CONNECTION WITH NATURE

Many years ago, humans and nature coexisted in a harmony that has been missing in present days. We didn't live in the technical and sophisticated way we do now. We needed to connect to nature on a much more personal level because it was integral to our very existence.

Humankind's very survival depended on listening to and feeling our connection with nature. We relied on plants for our medicine, used the stars to navigate and tilled the land using animals to plant our crops. That is just the tip of the iceberg. In years past almost everything people needed was tied to nature. These days, while nature is still present in our life, there is a certain disconnect for people. This is especially true for those of us who live in suburban, or urban environments. We have pills for our headaches, GPS units to navigate and we get our "crops" from the supermarket.

Our advances in technology and convenience aren't necessarily bad things. We should embrace the advances we have made as a species. There have been some truly impressive feats realized in modern times. We need to keep things in perspective though and not forget about our past. Our connection to nature should always be cherished and remembered.

There are many benefits to "getting back to nature". Past research has shown that a connection to nature has been shown to decrease stress levels and stimulate healing. Newer research has even drawn the conclusion that it makes people nicer!

A series of studies posted on the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin suggests that immersion in nature brings individuals closer to others, whereas human-made environments make people more interested in selfish or self interested ends. When you think about it, this makes sense. When you immerse yourself into nature, you get a feeling of being part of a community, of belonging to something "bigger".

We know that immersion into nature, can lead to a healthier, fitter, stress free and now friendlier personal lifestyle. When people learn more about nature, they will be more open to conservation efforts. If we connect with nature - we will be able to relate to things like loss of habitat, loss of wetlands and tragedies like extinction.

Although we don't rely on nature like we once did, we still need it. It is still part of what makes this Earth special. It can help us heal faster and makes us better people. The best way we can make sure our natural habitat is protected is by teaching ourselves and our children about nature and the wilderness. We need to feel the connection with nature that our ancestors once relied upon. That is the key to ecological conservation and preservation.

NATURE CLUB NANGANGUD

Nature Club Nanjangud is a non-political, self-sponsored and voluntary student organization of Government First Grade College, Nanjangud for the collection and circulation of the facts and knowledge about nature and natural resources, to develop students as nature-lovers and conservationists, and to propagate the spirit of nature conservancy among the public.

Aims & Objectives of Nature Club -
1. Development of a conservational attitude towards nature and to develop its members as Nature-lovers and conservationist
2. To collect and circulate the facts and knowledge about Nature and natural resources,
3. Be the students' representatives to the citizens, with an urge to be environmentally sound and to propagate the spirit of nature conservancy among the public
4. Organize exhibitions, shows, competitions and seminars to inculcate consciousness
5. To provide opportunities to acquire attitudes, values and skills needed to protect and improve the natural environment

Basic Principles of a Nature Club -
1. Positive and Dynamic policy in all activities,
2. Dedication for the club and sacrifice for the fellow members,
3. Minimum time consumption with maximum outputs in all actions,
4. Finding out own faults and gaps in all actions,
5. Utilizing the leisure in a worthwhile way (nature observation or research),
6. Mobilizing each and every member to take each and every responsibility in turns,
7. Encouraging a Group Spirit (Team Works) in a regularized and accountable manner,
8. Quality control in all activities,
9. Perfect evaluation of each and every member and their activities, and
10. Pre-planning and Recording all activities of the Club.

Regular Activities of a Nature Club -
· Nature-News Collection,
· Nature Study Lecture, Meetings, Paper-cutting replacement on the wall magazine,
· Field Trips on places of Natural interest, Lecture, Competitions or Extempore Speeches on Nature and Natural resources of the country,
· Newsletter publication, Documentary Film Shows, Meetings

Points of Member Development -
1. Field Works or Nature Observations,
2. Nature Photography,
3. Nature oriented Lectures (resources and their proper conservation),
4. Article writing on Natural issues (Drawing competitions for kids),
5. Nature News preparation and their printing,
6. Wall Magazine writing and editing,
7. Official works and correspondences,
8. Club Administration and Management,
9. Working or Research procedures on natural topics.

Proposed Committees under Nature Club -
1. Annual Magazine Committee (AMC),
2. Lecture Control Committee (LCC),
3. Field Work Committee (FWC),
4. Cultural Committee (CC),
5. News Collection Committee (NCC),
6. Publication Committee (PC),
7. Official Committee (OC) etc. and
8. Executive Committee (EC).