This tribe of Arunachal Pradesh considers tigers as their elder brother

The Idu Mishmi sub-tribe of Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh believe that tigers are their elder brothers. Killing tigers is prohibited for Idu Mishmi. While his beliefs support wildlife conservation, he is also critical of the dominant approach to nature conservation, writes Ambika Ayyadurai, assistant professor in the humanities and social sciences at IIT-Gandhinagar, in “Tigers Are Our Brothers.”

This book is the result of his PhD thesis in Anthropology from National University
Based on long-term ethnographic field work in Singapore and mainly in the Dibang Valley and also in other parts of Arunachal Pradesh. His research seriously engages in the wildlife debate Conservation and its impact on the life of Idu Mishmi.

A timely reminder on World Wildlife Conservation Day (December 4), argues for a
Inclusive, culturally informed and people-centred approach to wildlife conservation. Based on in-depth interviews, archival research and living with an Idu Mishmi family, it offers rare insights into How local communities interact in their lives as their landscape is rapidly changing, and forcing They both participate and also question the nature of development and conservation.

“I initially avoided focusing on tigers as part of my research; I didn’t want my research
Center on a high profile animal or site. However, during my exploratory visit to the village of Koronu (Lower Dibang Valley) adjacent to the Mhow Wildlife Sanctuary, in 2012, I heard stories about Tiger cubs were rescued in Dibang Valley. A letter was shown to me from the Forest Department that Appealed to the villagers for help in giving information about the tiger-killing incident.

“The letter had become a kind of joke and the villagers ridiculed and questioned the innocence The forest department is expecting the villagers to identify the killer of the tiger. people told me about Visits made by scientists and NGOs to Dibang Valley. As I began to assess the situation, I felt that the Dibang Valley had all the characteristics I wanted to research: the interest of NGOs and wildlife biologists, scientists, imposition of state authority, human-wildlife conflicts, and Very vocal Idu Mishmi community,” Ayyadurai told IANS in an interview.

The book begins with the rescue of tiger cubs by a conservation NGO in Dibang Valley of Arunachal The state, after which the district saw a series of conservation interventions and research projects by the state and NGOs “and this remote corner of India transformed itself into a high place” Profile visits of wildlife researchers and conservation NGOs”, Ayyadurai said.

“They mapped the tiger’s habitat, assessed the population of the tiger and its prey, and this information Tiger reserve proposed. While researchers and NGOs were engaged in the study Wildlife, Idu Mishmi was concerned with many actors coming to the district to study tigers and their place of residence.

This tribe of Arunachal Pradesh considers tigers as their elder brother

“While some welcome the idea of a tiger reserve with the hope of employment, others are concerned that The ownership of their lands, forests and mountains will be compromised. it is one of many The issues that brought researchers, scientists and the state into direct conflict with the people? Dibang Valley. A common complaint from residents was the non-consultant approach. The non-participatory nature of the state and researchers.

“Idu Mishmi felt a sense of distrust towards the forest department and the research team
Members this resulted in mild intimidation and resistance, as well as hesitation or even
Refusal to participate in research activities. Furthermore, there was a difference in perception and examines the understanding of nature as well as the book of its conservation and protection.”
Ayyadurai elaborated.