Deforestation and it's effects on Bengal tigers

Bengal Tiger, a misunderstood species well known to man yet so neglected. They originate from India with a small population in countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, and Nepal. They are commonly called the Indian and Royal tiger. The Indian tiger is known for being the subspecies with the largest population. With a current population of over 2,500 Bengal’s in the wild. For centuries, the species population have dropped exceedingly. What was once a species with a population of 100,000 tigers, is now an endangered tiger breed.

The species is gradually dying out, primarily caused by deforestation. What exactly is deforestation? It’s the permanent destruction of forests in order to make space for other uses. Other reasons, are to use ingredients in the trees that are worth a lot, such as the oil from palm trees. More commonly, harvesting timber to make furniture, paper as well as houses but there are more efficient and Eco friendly ways to create all of these. This is an environmental issue for all animals living amongst forests. About half of the world's tropical forest have been cleared. The logging of forests is damaging the ecosystem and animals immensely.

Many animals, including the Bengal tiger, are affected by habitat degradation because of deforestation. This is the biggest negative impact being faced off by the Bengal tigers. The trees and plants, loggers are cutting down, are home to many animals. The habitat of the Bengal tiger is varied. From scrub forests, grasslands, to wet and dry forests. All places have something in common, every habitat contains a form of nature that is currently and have been for a long time being taken away from the tigers. As the amount of habitat decrease, the number of Bengal tigers will continue to decline. Over the years, the population of these animals have decreased significantly. Between 1900 and 1972, the Bengal tiger population dropped from 40,000-50,000 to under 2,000. In the course of time, it will lead to the extinction of these animals. Is it necessary for us humans to continuously take the homes of these misinterpreted animals? We who have so much should take this into consideration of the homes we are robbing the animals of. All of this, to create various forms of construction on land, humans don't deserve and need. The Bengal tigers, on the other hand, need their homes. Think of it like this, we are invading and destroying the homes of  the tigers. Who can blame them for protecting themselves, for protecting their environment.

Following the loss of the homes of the Bengal tiger, are their food source. Bengals have a pretty large diet, literally. They prefer to eat large Ungulates such as chital, antelopes, hog deer, water buffalos, etc. All these animals live in an environment where deforestation affects their homes. The animals then travel elsewhere seeking a new home. This means that the Bengal tigers have no food to eat. As a consequence of taking their prey away, the Indian tigers have no choice but to turn to a more available food source, humans. Also, with no food, the Bengals’ starve to death! If you put a stop to logging of forests, we will continue to live lives as humans and not food. Let’s say the tables were turned. Would you prefer to starve or to survive? The actions of the tigers are quite reasonable, it’s an act of survival.

I can’t speak for the Bengal tigers, but I know if I had my home and food taken away from me, I'd feel aggrieved, malcontent and fed up being maltreated. All can be prevented by making an end to deforestation. Bengal tigers are only 1 out of a billion animals affected by deforestation. A simple blog post, adopting a tiger or even supporting a charity, like World Wildlife Funds, could save acres of animal homes from being destroyed as well as the Bengal tigers.

If deforestation continues, it will lead to global desertification. Plants, trees, animals, alongside humans will eventually become extinct. Is this what you want to happen? Save our earth along with the beautiful things inside. Start with the Bengal tigers.