Page 101 - EarthHeroes

Today, Kids for Tigers involves a million children through 1,500 teachers in 750 schools across India. These children are part of a student army who happily march on the streets calling for tiger protection. When Bittu visits schools, he tells children that they are the voice of the future and urges them to tell the adults
in their lives not to destroy their world. He thinks that it is grown-ups who need the most education and encourages children to explain to them the simple truths about conservation. Children who have grown up with the Kids for Tigers scheme have become committed conservationists and some are studying hard so they can find jobs protecting nature. As well as Kids for Tigers, Sanctuary Asia also runs wildlife photography awards and a ‘Mud on Boots’ scheme, supporting people working in nature conservation.
Today, Bittu lives in Mumbai. Now a grandfather to three grandsons, who are
all happier out in the wild than in the city, he still has no plans to retire. His wife and daughters tell him that he works too hard, but he loves his job so much that he goes to bed at night excited to see what the new day will bring. And while he often feels sad thinking of the forests, tigers, sharks, corals and species vanishing every day, he remembers to take joy from the nature around him. Even in the busy city he falls asleep to an orchestra of frogs and wakes early to birdsong, with peacocks and owlets visiting his courtyard.
Tiger numbers in India have risen from a low of 1,400 in 2004 to almost 3,000 today, and although the animal he loves is still at risk, Bittu remains hopeful about the future. If we can just slow down the damage done by his generation of adults until today’s children are old enough to take over, he is confident we have a chance to put things right. Bittu has a motto: “Each one teach one.” And as the children of India pass on all that he has taught
them about working with nature, not against it, that is an important lesson for the whole world to learn.
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