Tiger, Tiger Flickering Light

Abstract

Tiger population in the wild, particularly in India, is disappearing at a rapid rate because of extensive poaching and destruction of habitats. The poaching is mainly driven by demand for tiger parts used in traditional Chinese medicine. As a result, Indian tiger products are smuggled into Tibet in contravention of the CITES treaty. This Note argues that significant changes need to be made to the legal regimes in India and China to deal with the poaching epidemic, including strengthening anti-poaching laws and legal enforcement. Additionally, the Author advocates implementing alternative economic strategies that rely on giving incentives to people and harnessing the free market to conserve the tiger. In particular, this Note suggests that eco-tourism, combined with environmental entrepreneurship, is a better strategy for conserving tigers than the current, ineffective governmental regime.