CB BureauWith an aim to create awareness about the International Year
of Bio-Diversity being celebrated this year, the NGO Tiger Action Force exhibited
around 150 photographs showcasing India’s rich heritage of biodiversity, at the
Balgandharva Art Gallery in Pune on July 11.
A section of the photographs focused on the decline in wildlife population because
of poaching and road accidents. Screening of the documentary Truth about Tigers and lectures on
wildlife conservation were also a part of the exhibition.
An attraction of the exhibition was the display of handicraft items made by
tribals, ‘Mogya Handicrafts by Tiger Watch’, and t-shirts made by SPROUTS, an
NGO.
Gaurav Mahajan, a member of Tiger Action Force, told The Times of India that the photographs were taken by 17 wildlife
photographers across the country.
‘Immediate steps need to be taken to save the dwindling number of tigers.
Through our NGO, we call upon the youth to come forward voluntarily to help
protect our pride, the tiger,’ Mahajan said.
The NGO is also working to make tribals residing in forest areas self-reliant.
Another member, Utpal Tongo, said, ‘Efforts are made to help tribals be less
dependent on forest produce. We are encouraging them in bamboo art and see that
they get a market to sell their produce. All these tribals are from Melghat
area.’