Nevertheless, this would be the best time to remember this person. The one who believed it is possible and proved it is possible.
The name would probably sound yet another man, but in reality, Gopal Tanti was a hero.
Less is known of the person who had the bravery and passion in the right mix to voice in for the most dreaded tigers of Sunderbans.
To quote his work, off the records:
Original article: http://www.sunderbansnationalpark.com/news.htmlHe dared to look the tiger in the eye in the treacherous Sunderbans terrain, often without a gun. He would crouch in the bushes for hours, swim across the Matla or camp outside a village hut to help capture a straying tiger. In an illustrious career that lasted 33 adventurous years, Gopal Tanti is believed to have tranquillized 84 tigers, a dozen elephants and several rhinos.
Excerpt from the article:
He also received "The Earth Heros" award, which he deserved by all means.Tanti’s lesson: Don’t kill a straying cat
Kolkata: With Pranabesh Sanyal, former director, STR, Gopal Tanti forged a partnership that effectively curbed the tendency to kill a straying tiger in the Sunderbans. “He helped prove that tigers could be safely captured and sent back. It was a big step and the results are now there for all to see,” added Sanyal. Gradually, Tanti moved on to training and supervision. He trained countless shooters till a neurological disorder left him crippled in 2004. “All my tranquillizing expeditions seem like a happy dream. But I can recall each of them and I miss the forest and the tiger,” Tanti had told TOI during an interview last year. Principal chief conservator of forests Atanu Raha described him as a daring forester dedicated to the cause of conservation. “We would still seek his advice on tranquillization regularly,” he said. Anjan Guha, assistant field director, STR, described him as an authority on Sunderbans. “He was the guru of tranquillization and will be sorely missed,” said Guha. In 2009, Tanti received a lifetime achievement award from the state forest department for his contribution in the field of conservation. “Gopal Tanti has left behind a legacy that will be hard to maintain. He lived and breathed with the Bengal tiger. Sunderbans will be poorer without him,” said Bittu Sahgal, conservationist and wildlife writer.
Let's remember this man, who had the right mix of courage, passion and compassion which helped him go a long way in saving a delicate species. This combo is a rare find.
Note to the mods: Please pardon my ignorance and move the article to the forum which you feel is appropriate for such postings.
