Hello, fellow wanderers of the wild. It’s Raviraj Soman here.
There is a moment—a fleeting, heart-stopping second—when the jungle falls silent. The langurs stop their chatter, the deer freeze mid-graze, and the very air seems to hold its breath. It is the moment before the Stripes appear. To witness a Royal Bengal Tiger in its natural habitat is a privilege, not a right. But too often, I see this privilege abused in the frenzy to get "the shot."
Today, I want to talk about the elephant in the room (or perhaps, the tiger on the track): Responsible Tourism.
The "Tiger Fever" Problem
We've all seen it. A dozen gypsies surrounding a single tiger, engines revving, tourists shouting, and cameras clicking like machine guns. This isn't a safari; it's a circus. And the tiger? It’s stressed.
When we crowd a predator, we disrupt its hunting, its movement, and its peace. A stressed tiger is an unpredictable tiger. But more importantly, a stressed tiger is a tragedy for conservation. If they cannot thrive in their protected areas because of us, where do they go?
The Raviraj Soman Code of Ethics
Over my years in the field, I’ve developed a simple code. It’s not law, but it’s the way of the respectful guest.
1. Silence is Golden
The jungle speaks if you listen. Constant chatter drowns out the alarm calls that help us track without intrusion. Keep your voice low. Whisper if you must speak at all.
2. Keep Your Distance
If a tiger is walking towards you, back up. Give it space. Never block its path. We are visitors in their home; we do not own the road.
3. No Flash, No Baits
This goes without saying, but flash photography blinds nocturnal animals and distresses them. And baiting? That’s a relic of a darker past. Let the wild be wild.
Why It Matters
Ethical tourism supports conservation. When you book with responsible operators (like us at The Mammoth Project), your money goes into the local economy and park protection, not into exploitative practices.
Next time you are in a gypsy, remember: the best sighting is natural behavior. A tiger sleeping, grooming, or stalking, unaware or unbothered by your presence—that is the magic we seek.
Tread lightly,
- Raviraj Soman
