Kailash Sankhala:TIGER! The Story Of The Indian Tiger

Kailash Sankhala:TIGER! The Story Of The Indian Tiger

The book titled as Kailash Sankhala:TIGER! The Story Of The Indian Tiger in about 230 pages on soft, newsprint-kind paper, by Kailash Sankhala can be summarized as the first and last treatise on almost all aspects of this prime predator for all other books published so far do not contain what has been detailed in this one. It was published in 1978 and then also bore ISBN (00 0 216124), printed in Britain by William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. through an arrangement with Rupa & Co of India (possibly for distribution). It was dedicated to Padmaja Naidu, a close friend of Jawahar Lal Nehru, and тАЬBillyтАЭ (William Collins).

KS admitted that he received hefty support from Bill. It stands clarified how this book became a toast of the tiger loving class тАУ good English for all possible details on the animal in question. He was extremely happy at its outcome enjoying his posting as Chief Wildlife Warden, Rajasthan, with main office in Jaipur. He held Bill as his friend and mentioned that the supporter died almost after completing this work. It has answers to most question to be put by a person on life story of this beautiful striped mammal.

By dint of a long tenure at Delhi Zoo, he kept busy in experimenting with tigers housed therein and to his fortune his joining forest service almost coincided with the white tiger being found south of Rewa in Madhya Pradesh by prince Martand Singh, who maintained them and finally delivered to this zoo. First hand observations and knowledge gained on hand-rearing such animals educated this writer on such aspects as one would not be able to touch upon as only a forester was capable to handle animals.

He had received Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Fellowship to study tigers which he fully utilized on studying tigers. He thanked both Padmaja Naidu and Dr. Karan Singh. Singh happened to be Secretary of this Fund, a person who lent indescribable support to KS and hand picked him to become first Director of Project Tiger when it was launched in 1973 though the book said it was started in 1972.

kailash sankhala with dr max downes
Mr.Kailash Sankhala with Dr. Max Downes, who bred Australian Bustards in captivity, at Jaipur’s Khasa Kothi in 1980, he was keen to offer know-how to breed Great Indian Bustard in captivity, a task no forest officer ever chested. Photo: Mr Harsh Vardhan.

The very title described — KS as a self-portraying person and a perfectionist at highlighting his name, and usually only his name. On the cover, his name supersedes the name of tiger, which has an exclamation-mark as suffix, wisdom encashed to the best. Its cover has a tiger crouching over green grass, its eyes aiming at the lens of camera. It is in colours which were not prevalent in those days.The last cover shows the author sitting by side of a tiger with his left hand almost garlanding the animal, both aiming at lens. Was it Jim, the captive born tiger who was treated by him like a family member, or any other, the book is silent over it.

The very sight of a person caressing a tiger in those days was awe inspiring, to this day also in my view. It forecast bold stand this person took throughout his life and it equally signaled an incredible appeal for conservation, a word which had just started gaining currency in 70s.

A cycle-sawar came at my place in Jaipur one evening to hand over this book. In his hand-writing, the opening page read:

тАЬTo Harsh,

For your outstanding and sustained interest in wildlife of RajasthanтАЭ тАУ (signed) Kailash Sankhala, 13.9.78тАЭ

I telephoned him to thank for the gesture and he humbly said more words which surprised me greatly for he was known to all to care the least for humans and always announced that his body and soul were wholly devoted to tigers and their welfare. Which happened to be true as he categorically remarked at more than once place that his career masters had taught to spend 20 days to be spent in field in a month. Calf-love for wilderness is best inculcated while one lives in forests, mere visits during morning-afternoon would be like chance observations. He seemed having enjoyed it to the hilt.

тАжBhanwaria came to open gate of forest chowki as he found Kailash Sankhala sitting at door steps and waiting for him. He travelled by a bus, which passed through heart of this sanctuary for decades, and shouted, тАЬKalighatiтАЭ so the driver applied brake to let him get down with his iron-trunk and commence merger with wilderness. He outlines about the hide, most said created by him for himself. It looked like a square-shaped shooting-box having low ceiling, so one had to enter on knees but ideal in summer also for it had stone roof and several hole like windows in varying size.

He listed birds and ungulates that trooped down water surface one species after other soon after sun had dipped down towards Governor Drive, as the name was given to the road by one of the forest officers. His botanist mind appeared exuberant: In August Kalighati turns verdant green and as winter approached foliage would be copper-brown with grass turning yellow, in spring the leaves would be dry and would fall on ground by March, it was leafless and bone-dry in summer, the floor is like a cushion of fallen leaves  — inches thick.

kailash sankhala and prince bernhard of the netherlands
The photo shows Mr Kailash Sankhala (right) Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands (then President of WWF – International) and Mr Harsh Vardhan (left) having a chat prior to boarding an IAF helicopter that carried the overseas expert in 1974 to overview progress of Project Tiger in India. The chopper landed inside the park, was parked for night at Jaipur airport and took off from the same spot, the platform in front of a mosque, on eastern edge of Padam Talab. Photo courtesy Mr Harsh Vardhan.

Kailash SankhalaтАЩs sensibility was uncommon and unmatched. Single-minded approach and dogged faith, were inherent in his psyche. He pursued nature in totality and would hate any incursion while was in forest, to an extent that often he was observed having wordy dual with visitors to the same zone in a forest, at times he ordered some tourists to be expelled from the park. In solo pursuit, he was probably ever ready to have a wager who ever it may be. The same person would be a different character when escorting a VIP or politicians and would remark тАУ educating them was important. He knew how to apply butter to both sides of the slice as though.

Kailash SankhalaтАЩs analysis and assessment of subject is better understood by going through the names of writers he quoted in his book: Dr. Gustav Krik of Germany, Dr. Theodore H. Reed, Director of National Zoological Park, Washington DC, William G. Conway, Director of New York Zoological Park, Prof. Malcom Coe of Oxford University, Dr. Berhnard Grzmick who introduced him the long-lens to attempt better photography.

Does tiger hunt by smell? He has tried to exemplify own experiences with 160 kills examined and more than 100 baits of buffalo calves fixed. According to Hamilton, the nose was not used to smell a prey while tiger would hunt. Hamilton, Smythies, Locke & Baze, Baker, Glassford, Champion, Burton, Corbett, Anderson, all rejected the theory that it was this mammalтАЩs smelling power that led it to attack or kill preys. Nose had hardly any role, they summarized. To reach

same conclusion with marginally differing results, he applied studies on eight tigers at Delhi Zoo, by hanging a pig-carcass above ground and at height to assess if tigers moving below it would raise necks to smell and express own reactions? The tigress is reported to have smelt it but males paid no heed to it.

How many of forest officers or employees received grant similar to one KS was blessed with to study singularly such a wild mammal, though his booty came from a zoo? Analysis of killing styles informs his comparisons with a few experts and own assessment on basis of more than a hundred tigers he would have observed on the kill тАУ it grabs the throat, twists neck of the prey and applies total weight of his paws, body etc to cause rupture of some veins leading to death of the animal under attack.

kailash sankhala with fateh singh rathore
(right to left) Mr Fateh Singh Rathore, Mr Kailash Sankhala, Mr S.K. Seth (then I.G., Forest) and an overseas guest at Sawai Madhopur railway station in 1978. Photo: Mr Harsh Vardhan.

His statements: Chowsinga? Almost unstudied deer, only Mudumalai and Panna have yielded some recognizable studies across Indian grasslands, is cited to report at a water hole only once in twenty four hours and spend maximum two minutes in filling his belly. Langur never takes a bath yet it happens to be the cleanest among wild animalsтАж..mating by tigers averaged maximum during winter, some in summer, pregnancy detection was not easy until she would be about three month carrying.

The Delhi Zoo reported six cubs delivered by a tigress. J.W Best (1932) reported a tigress taking care of seven cubs. KS cited a female with five cubs in Ranthambhore in 1976, this I learnt from Fateh Singh as well, but both remained elusive when asked to go and observe her? In his view maximum births of tigers occurred in summer (March тАУ June) and also during monsoon (August тАУ October). Contemporary observers have varying details to offer. Forest authorities have documented approximate time of birth though data is not being shared тАУ lack of love for scientific pursuits. KS always vowed by science. I would say he was the one who at times also broke scientific norms!

For him тАЬtiger is a creature of hypnotic power and fascination. It is at apex of natureтАЩs pyramid, a balancing force on all animals and creatures within its kingdom.тАЭ All his books are his personal stories of wildlife, nay tigers as he was apt to correct one. He called himself as тАЬtiger addict.тАЭA remarkable person, his courage and determination were matchless qualities. Many may be born with them and remain having not applied them throughout life to attain the goal. How many people have set goals? He called himself as a тАЬphoto-naturalistтАЭ and such a character can be a тАЬnuisanceтАЭ, which, I would emphasize to say, he often proved to be one!

He admitted having received active cooperation of forest colleagues, naming them in priority: Bharat Singh, O.P. Mathur, J.P. Kapoor, Fateh Singh, Y.D. Singh (his brother who served at Jodhpur Zoo), H.S. Panwar, who became Director of Project Tiger and also first Director of Wildlife Institute of India. For photography, he extended appreciation to Kashinath and A.R. Tak, a photographer in Jaipur who was his father-in-law, and who lent abundant support to the son-in-law.

The first book carried stunning illustrations in black-and-white, of tigers in almost all actions and moods, some pensive, others frolicking and attacking preys in various ways. He cared to say that, тАЬChampa Lal and Brahm Dev traced drawings from my photographsтАЭ тАУ the word illustration was not in vogue for him? They are brilliant art work and I like to state that all other books on this mammal did not care to employ artists to exercise similar or better art to portray wild animals.

I am of opinion that India lacks brilliant illustrators, it is not a final judgement but sustained experience. Overseas illustrator do a job outfoxing the wild species eg., lapwings, chats, ospreys, tree creeper, etc. David Thelwell creates lyricism in his birds and animals, he did one of Great Indian Bustard after observing it in Sudasuri area. Darren Rees did many species and kindly presented me one of his pencil drawing on return from a Scottish walk. KS  admitted having received ample editorial support as obviously he admitted facts about his English language. тАЬSir Hugh Elliott read the script and suggested several changesтАЭ he wrote at one stage.    

Kailash Sankhala was born in Jodhpur and was proud to rub shoulders with those coming from Marwar region. He had first posting on 1 April 1953 in Bundi: Col. William Rice wrote in Hunting in Rajputana (1857) that Bundi then had maximum tigers as compared to all other areas where he had hunted them! A stint in Khairwara (south of Udaipur) was like passing time. Finally at Sariska, he admitted having shot a tiger. The only photograph of him standing by side of a tiger carcass was unearthed by me from his almirah while he was trying to be finicky and some copies had to be circulated in his office to let him realize difference between what he preached and what he did. The photo shows tiger lying in Jaipur Zoo? Not in Sariska.

His photo passion sparked off while he had next posting in Bharatpur. He admitted having received tips on this art-craft from Salim Ali and also said it was F.W Champion who gave him best teachings on cameramanship. This British was a forest officer and wrote, тАЬWith a camera in Tigerland.тАЭ KS could not attain what Champion did тАУ night photography with contemporary lens and cameras. The one he took of a tiger in north-west of Corbett is displayed in Garwahl Rifles OfficersтАЩMess in Lansdown, this writer admired it but was not allowed to take photographs, a worth visit place for wild trophies.

Kailash Sankhala as the authoritative, yes he was. I had quite a few skirmishes which erupted all of a sudden. However, peace prevailed after hot-blood affairs. After he retired in 1983, he had realization and often invited me to his bungalow to discuss and issue comments, like тАУ nothing was happening in forest department! His wife, Suraj would cook тАШbajreтАЩ bread and both would serve me in person, after throats had been amply moistened with not so sweet liquid. He was fond of it. I recall having called on him at Apollo Hospital, Madras (it was this name then) where he had a heart operation. He had plans to do big things and always cited next agenda, but often wondered what would happen to his stock of negatives, slides, photographs and above all books?

Wildlife Week celebration at Jaipur Zoo in 1978 shows (left to right) Chief Secretary, Mr G.K. Bhanot addressing, Mr Kailash Sankhala, Mr Harsh Vardhan and Mr Bharat Singh. Photo courtesy Mr Harsh Vardhan.

I gave shoulder to his body at the funeral as Bharat Singh asked me тАУ will you organize news in press? After a few days I received a call from Manohar Prabhakar, then editor of the Rajasthan Patrika, asking me to do obituary for KS. I bluntly conveyed that we had not so sweet association  so how would I justify? Death levels up all differences, he gave a lesson to me. I wrote a piece on him. It sparked off variety of gratitude among his relations in Jodhpur which I experienced almost each time I visited Y.D. SinghтАЩs residence, he was his brother and also a wildlife official of great consequence.

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рдлрддреЗрд╣ рд╕рд┐рдВрд╣ рд░рд╛рдареМреЬ┬ардПрдХ рд░рд╛рдЬрдкреВрдд рдкрд░рд┐рд╡рд╛рд░ рд╕реЗ рдереЗред рдЙрдирдХрд╛ рдкрд░рд┐рд╡рд╛рд░ рдЬреЛрдзрдкреБрд░ рдХреЗ рдкрд╛рд╕ рд╕реНрдерд┐рдд рдЪреЛрд░рдбрд┐рдпрд╛рдВ рдирд╛рдордХ рдЧрд╛рдБрд╡ рд╕реЗ рдирд┐рдХрд▓рд╛ рд╣реБрдЖ рд╣реИред рдХрдИ рдЕрдиреНрдп рдХрд╛рдореЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рдЕрд╕рдлрд▓ рд╣реЛрдиреЗ рдХреЗ рдмрд╛рдж рдЙрдирдХрд╛ рд╡рдиреНрдпрдЬреАрд╡ рд╕рдВрд░рдХреНрд╖рдг рдХреЗ рдХреНрд╖реЗрддреНрд░ рдореЗрдВ рдЖрдирд╛ рдорд╣рдЬ рдПрдХ рд╕рдВрдпреЛрдЧ рдерд╛ред рдЙрдирдХреЗ рдПрдХ рд░рд┐рд╢реНрддреЗрджрд╛рд░ рдХреЗ рдХрд╣рдиреЗ рдкрд░ рдЙрдирдХреЛ рд╕рд░рд┐рд╕реНрдХрд╛ рдореЗрдВ рд╡рди рд╡рд┐рднрд╛рдЧ рдореЗрдВ рд░реЗрдВрдЬрд░ рдХреЗ рд░реВрдк рдореЗрдВ рдиреМрдХрд░реА рдорд┐рд▓ рдЧрдИред рдзреАрд░реЗ рдзреАрд░реЗ рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рдЗрд╕ рдХрд╛рдо рдореЗрдВ рдордЬрд╛ рдЖрдиреЗ рд▓рдЧрд╛ред рдпрд╣ рд╡рд╣ рд╕рдордп рдерд╛ рдЬрдм рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдЬрдВрдЧрд▓ рдХреА рдмрд╛рд░реАрдХрд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рд╕реАрдЦ рд░рд╣реЗ рдереЗред рдереНрдпреЛрд░реА рд╕реЗ рдЬреНрдпрд╛рджрд╛ рдЙрдирдХрд╛ рдорди рдЬрд╝рдореАрдиреА рдХрд╛рдо рдХрд░рдиреЗ рдореЗрдВ рд▓рдЧрддрд╛ рдерд╛ред рдЬрдВрдЧрд▓ рдореЗрдВ рдЙрдирдХреЗ рдмрдврд╝рддреЗ рдкреНрд░рднрд╛рд╡ рдХреЗ рдХрд╛рд░рдг рдЙрдирдХреЗ рдХрдИ рд╡рд┐рд░реЛрдзреА рднреА рдмрди рдЧрдП рдереЗред рдЙрдирдХрд╛ рдорд╛рдирдирд╛ рдерд╛ рдХреА рдЬрдореАрдиреА рд╕реНрддрд░ рдкрд░ рдХрд╛рдо рдХрд░рдХреЗ рд╣реА рдЬреНрдпрд╛рджрд╛ рдЕрдиреБрднрд╡ рд╣реЛ рд╕рдХрддреЗ рд╣реИрдВ рдЬреЛ рдбрд┐рдЧреНрд░рд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдПрд╡рдВ рдереНрдпреЛрд░реА рд╕реЗ рдирд╣реАрдВ рдорд┐рд▓рддреЗред

рдмреАрд╕рд╡реАрдВ рд╕рджреА рдореЗрдВ рдмрд╛рдШреЛрдВ рдХреА рд╕рдВрдЦреНрдпрд╛ 40000 рдереА рдЬреЛ рд╕рддреНрддрд░ рдХреЗ рджрд╢рдХ рддрдХ рдЖрддреЗ-рдЖрддреЗ рдорд╛рддреНрд░ 1800┬а рд░рд╣ рдЧрдИ рдереАред рдЗрд╕рдХреЗ рдЪрд▓рддреЗ 1970 рдореЗрдВ рдЗрдВрджрд┐рд░рд╛ рдЧрд╛рдБрдзреА рдХреЗ рдкреНрд░рдзрд╛рдирдордВрддреНрд░реА рдмрдирдиреЗ рдкрд░ рд╡рдиреНрдпрдЬреАрд╡реЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░ рдХреЛ рдкреВрд░реНрдг рд░реВрдк рд╕реЗ рдкреНрд░рддрд┐рдмрдВрдзрд┐рдд рдХрд░ рджрд┐рдпрд╛ рдЧрдпрд╛ред рдкреНрд░реЛрдЬреЗрдХреНрдЯ рдЯрд╛рдЗрдЧрд░ рдХреА рд╢реБрд░реБрдЖрдд 1973 рдореЗрдВ рд╣реБрдИ рдЬрд┐рд╕рдореЗрдВ рд░рдгрдердореНрднреМрд░ рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде рдЖрда рдЕрдиреНрдп рдЕрднреНрдпрд╛рд░рдгреНрдп рднреА рд╢рд╛рдорд┐рд▓ рдереЗред рдЕрд▓рдЧ рдЕрд▓рдЧ рддрд░рд╣ рдХреЗ рд╡рд┐рднрд┐рдиреНрди рдкрд░реНрдпрд╛рд╡рд╛рд╕реЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рдмрд╛рдШ рд╕рдВрд░рдХреНрд╖рдг рдХреЛ рдкреНрд░реЛрддреНрд╕рд╛рд╣рд┐рдд рдХрд░рдирд╛ рдЗрд╕ рдкрд░рд┐рдпреЛрдЬрдирд╛ рдХрд╛ рд▓рдХреНрд╖реНрдп рдерд╛ред рд░рдгрдердореНрднреМрд░ рдПрдХ рдЙрд╖реНрдг рдкрд░реНрдгрдкрд╛рддреА рд╡рди рд╣реИред рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдХреЛ рдЗрд╕ рдирдП рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рдХрд╛ рд╡рд┐рдХрд╛рд╕ рдХрд░рдиреЗ рдХреА рдЬрд┐рдореЗрджрд╛рд░реА рд╕реМрдВрдкреА рдЧрдИ рдереАред рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рдпрд╣ рдЬрд┐рдореНрдореЗрджрд╛рд░реА рд╕реМрдВрдкрдиреЗ рдХреЗ рдкреАрдЫреЗ рдПрд╕. рдЖрд░. рдЪреМрдзрд░реА рдПрд╡рдВ рдкреНрд░реЛрдЬреЗрдХреНрдЯ рдЯрд╛рдЗрдЧрд░ рдХреЗ рдкрд╣рд▓реЗ рдирд┐рджреЗрд╢рдХ рдХреИрд▓рд╛рд╢ рд╕рд╛рдВрдЦрд▓рд╛ рдХрд╛ рдмрд╣реБрдд рдпреЛрдЧрджрд╛рди рдерд╛ред рдПрд╕. рдЖрд░. рдЪреМрдзрд░реА рдиреЗ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдХреЛ рджреЗрд╣рд░рд╛рджреВрди рдХреЗ рднрд╛рд░рддреАрдп рд╡рдиреНрдпрдЬреАрд╡ рд╕рдВрд╕реНрдерд╛рди (WII) рдореЗрдВ рдкрдврд╝рд╛рдпрд╛ рдерд╛ред

рдХреБрд▓ рдорд┐рд▓рд╛рдХрд░ рдЗрди рджреЛрдиреЛрдВ рдиреЗ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдХреА рдХрд╛рдмрд┐рд▓рд┐рдпрдд рдХреЛ рд╕рдордЭрд╛ рдФрд░ рднрд╡рд┐рд╖реНрдп рдореЗрдВ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рднреА рдЙрдирдХреА рдЙрдореНрдореАрджреЛрдВ рдкрд░ рдЦрд░реЗ рдЙрддрд░реЗред рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдиреЗ рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рдореЗрдВ рдРрд╕реА рд░реЛрдб рдмрдирд╛рдиреЗ рдХрд╛ рдХрд╛рдо рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рдЬреЛ рд╕реАрдзреА рди рд╣реЛрдХрд░ рдШреБрдорд╛рд╡рджрд╛рд░ рд╣реЛрдВ рдПрд╡рдВ┬а рдкрд╛рдиреА рдХреЗ рд╕реНрддреНрд░реЛрдд рддрдХ рдкрд╣реБрдВрдЪрддреА рд╣реЛрдВред рдЬрдм рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдиреЗ рдХрд╛рдо рд╕рдВрднрд╛рд▓рд╛ рддрдм рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рдХреА рд╣рд╛рд▓рдд рдмрд╣реБрдд рдЦрд░рд╛рдм рдереАред рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рд╕реЗ рд▓рдЧрддреЗ рд╣реБрдП 16┬а рдЧрд╛рдВрд╡реЛ рдХреЗ рд▓реЛрдЧ рдорд╡реЗрд╢рд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рдореЗрдВ рдЪрд░рд╛рдиреЗ рд▓реЗ рдЖрдпрд╛ рдХрд░рддреЗ рдереЗред рдЬрд▓рд╛рдиреЗ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдкреБрд░рд╛рдиреЗ рдкреЗрдбрд╝ рдХрд╛рдЯреЗ рдЬрд╛ рд░рд╣реЗ рдереЗред рдорд╡реЗрд╢рд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдХреА рдмреЗрд░реЛрдХрдЯреЛрдХ рдЖрд╡рд╛рдЬрд╛рд╣реА рдиреЗ рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рдХреА рдмрдбрд╝реА рдШрд╛рд╕ рдПрд╡рдВ рдкреЗрдбрд╝ рдкреМрдзреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рдЦрддреНрдо рдХрд░ рджрд┐рдпрд╛ рдерд╛ред рд╡рдиреНрдпрдЬреАрд╡реЛрдВ рдХреЗ рдирд╛рдо рдкрд░ рдХрднреА рдХрднрд╛рд░ рдмрд╛рдШ рдХреЗ рдкрдЧрдорд╛рд░реНрдХ рджрд┐рдЦрд╛рдИ рджреЗ рдЬрд╛рдпрд╛ рдХрд░рддреЗ рдереЗред

рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдЬрд╛рдирддреЗ рдереЗ рдХреА рдЕрдЧрд░ рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рдХреЛ рдЬрд┐рдиреНрджрд╛ рд░рдЦрдирд╛ рд╣реИ рддреЛ рдЧреНрд░рд╛рдореАрдгреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рд╕реЗ рдмрд╛рд╣рд░ рд╡рд┐рд╕реНрдерд╛рдкрд┐рдд рдХрд░рдирд╛ рдмрд╣реБрдд рдЬрд░реВрд░реА рд╣реИред рдЗрд╕ рдХрд╛рдо рдХреЛ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдиреЗ рдмрдбрд╝реА рд╕реВрдЭрдмреВрдЭ рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде рдХрд┐рдпрд╛, рд╡рд┐рд╕реНрдерд╛рдкрд┐рдд рдЧреНрд░рд╛рдореАрдгреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рдЗрд╕рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рд╕рдордЭрд╛рдпрд╛ рдФрд░ рдЙрдЪрд┐рдд рдореБрдЖрд╡рдЬрд╛ рджрд┐рд▓рд╡рд╛рдиреЗ рдХрд╛ рдкреНрд░рдмрдВрдз рдХрд░рд╡рд╛рдпрд╛ред рдореБрдЖрд╡рдЬреЗ рдореЗрдВ 18 рд╡рд░реНрд╖ рд╕реЗ рдКрдкрд░ рдХреЗ рд╕рднреА рдЧреНрд░рд╛рдореАрдгреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рдкреИрд╕реЛрдВ рдХреЗ рдЕрд▓рд╛рд╡рд╛ рдкрд╛рдВрдЪ рдмреАрдШрд╛ рдЕрддрд┐рд░рд┐рдХреНрдд рдЬрдореАрди рднреА рджреА рдЧрдИред рдЗрд╕рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде рд╣реА рдШрд░ рдмрдирд╡рд╛рдиреЗ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП, рдХреБрдП рдЦреЛрджрдиреЗ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдЖрд░реНрдерд┐рдХ рдорджрдж рдХреА рдЧрдИ рд╕рд╛рде рд╣реА рдЧреНрд░рд╛рдореАрдгреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рд╕реНрдХреВрд▓ рдФрд░ рд╕реНрд╡рд╛рд╕реНрдереНрдп рд╕реЗрд╡рд╛рдУрдВ рдХреА рднреА рдЙрдЪрд┐рдд рд╡реНрдпрд╡рд╕реНрдерд╛ рдХреА рдЧрдИред рдХреИрд▓рд╛рд╢ рд╕рд╛рдВрдЦрд▓рд╛ рдХреЗ рд╕рдореНрдорд╛рди рдореЗрдВ рдирдП рдЧрд╛рдВрд╡ рдХрд╛ рдирд╛рдо рдХреИрд▓рд╛рд╢рдкреБрд░реА рд░рдЦрд╛ рдЧрдпрд╛ред рд╡рд┐рд╕реНрдерд╛рдкрди рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде рд╣реА рдзреАрд░реЗ-рдзреАрд░реЗ рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рд╡рд╛рдкрд╕ рд╣рд░рд╛-рднрд░рд╛ рд╣реЛрдиреЗ рд▓рдЧрд╛ред

1976┬а рдореЗрдВ рдкрд╣рд▓реА рдмрд╛рд░ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдиреЗ рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рдореЗрдВ рдПрдХ рдмрд╛рдШрд┐рди рдХреЛ рджреЗрдЦрд╛ рдЬрд┐рд╕рдХрд╛ рдирд╛рдо рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЛрдВрдиреЗ рдЕрдкрдиреА рдмрдбрд╝реА рдмреЗрдЯреА рдХреЗ рдКрдкрд░ рд░рдЦрд╛; рдкрджреНрдорд┐рдиреАред рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдиреЗ рдЗрд╕ рдмрд╛рдШрд┐рди рдПрд╡рдВ рдЙрд╕рдХреЗ рдЪрд╛рд░ рд╢рд╛рд╡рдХреЛрдВ ( рдкрд╛рдВрдЪрд╡рд╛ рд╢рд╛рд╡рдХ рдЬрд▓реНрдж рд╣реА рдорд░ рдЧрдпрд╛ рдерд╛ ) рдХреА рдЧрддрд┐рд╡рд┐рдзрд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдкрд░ рдирдЬрд░ рд░рдЦрдиреА рд╢реБрд░реВ рдХреА ред рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдХреЗ рдЬрдореАрдиреА рд╕реНрддрд░ рдкрд░ рдХрд┐рдпреЗ рдЧрдП рдкреНрд░рдпрд╛рд╕реЛрдВ рд╕реЗ рдпрд╣ рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рдмрд╛рдШ рджреЗрдЦрдиреЗ рдХреЗ рджреБрдирд┐рдпрд╛ рдореЗрдВ рд╕рдмрд╕реЗ рдЙрдкрдпреБрдХреНрдд рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХреЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рд╕реЗ рдПрдХ рдорд╛рдирд╛ рдЬрд╛рдиреЗ рд▓рдЧрд╛ред

рдЙрди рджрд┐рдиреЛрдВ рд░рдгрдердореНрднреМрд░ рдЬрдпрдкреБрд░ рдорд╣рд╛рд░рд╛рдЬ рдХреЗ рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░рдЧрд╛рд╣реЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рд╢рд╛рдорд┐рд▓ рдерд╛ред рдЬрдирд╡рд░реА 1961 рдореЗрдВ рд░рдгрдердореНрднреМрд░ рд░рд╛рд╖реНрдЯреНрд░реАрдп рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рдХреЗ рдмрдирдиреЗ рд╕реЗ рдкрд╣рд▓реЗ рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рдЗрд╕ рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рдореЗрдВ рдмреНрд░рд┐рдЯреЗрди рдХреА рдорд╣рд╛рд░рд╛рдиреА рдПрд▓рд┐рдЬрд╛рдмреЗрде II рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░ рдЖрдпреЛрдЬрди рдХреА рд╡реНрдпрд╡рд╕реНрдерд╛ рдХрд░рдирд╛ рдерд╛ред рдЙрди рджрд┐рдиреЛрдВ рд╡рдиреНрдпрдЬреАрд╡ рдкрд░реНрдпрдЯрди рдХрд╛ рдорддрд▓рдм рд╣реА рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░ рдХрд░рдирд╛ рд╣реЛрддрд╛ рдерд╛ рдФрд░ рдХрдИ рдорд╣рд╛рд░рд╛рдЬрд╛ рд╡рд┐рджреЗрд╢реА рд╕реИрд▓рд╛рдирд┐рдпреЛрдВ рд╕реЗ рдЖрдп рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░ рдХрд╛ рдЖрдпреЛрдЬрди рдХрд░рддреЗ рдереЗред

рдмрд╛рдШреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде┬а рдЫреЛрдЯреЗ-рдЫреЛрдЯреЗ рдЕрдиреБрднрд╡реЛрдВ рдХреЛ рдЙрдирдХреЗ рдПрд╡рдВ рд╡рд╛рд▓реНрдореАрдХрд┐ рдерд╛рдкрд░ (рд╡рд╛рд▓реНрдореАрдХрд┐ рднрд╛рд░рдд рдореЗрдВ рдмрд╛рдШреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рдкреНрд░рд╕рд┐рджреНрдз рд╡рд┐рд╢реЗрд╖рдЬреНрдЮ рд╣реИрдВ) рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░рд╛ рдХрдИ рдХрд┐рддрд╛рдмреЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рд▓рд┐рдЦрд╛ рдЧрдпрд╛ рд╣реИред рдЙрдирдХреЗ рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░рд╛ рдЦреАрдВрдЪреЗ рдЧрдП рдПрдХ рдлреЛрдЯреЛ рдореЗрдВ рдПрдХ рдирд░ рдмрд╛рдШ, рд╢рд╛рд╡рдХреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде рдЦреЗрд▓ рд░рд╣рд╛ рдерд╛ред рдЕрднреА рддрдХ рдорд╛рдирд╛ рдЬрд╛рддрд╛ рд░рд╣рд╛ рдерд╛ рдХреА рдХреЗрд╡рд▓ рдорд╛рджрд╛ рдмрд╛рдШ рд╣реА рд╢рд╛рд╡рдХреЛрдВ рдХрд╛ рдкрд╛рд▓рди рдХрд░рддреА рд╣реИред рдЗрд╕рдХреЗ рд╡рд┐рдкрд░реАрдд рдЙрдирдХреЗ рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░рд╛ рдЦреАрдВрдЪреЗ рдЧрдП рдлреЛрдЯреЛ рдореЗрдВ рдПрдХ рдирд░ рдмрд╛рдШ, рдПрдХ рдорд╛рджрд╛ рдмрд╛рдШ рдПрд╡рдВ рджреЛ рд╢рд╛рд╡рдХ рдкрд╛рдиреА рдореЗрдВ рдЕрдардЦреЗрд▓рд┐рдпрд╛рдВ рдХрд░ рд░рд╣реЗ рдереЗред рдпрд╣рд╛рдБ рддрдХ рдХреА рдПрдХ рдмрд╛рд░ рдирд░ рдмрд╛рдШ рд╢рд╛рд╡рдХреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░ рднреА рд╕рд╛рдЭрд╛ рдХрд░ рд░рд╣рд╛ рдерд╛ред 1980 рдХреЗ рдЖрд╕-рдкрд╛рд╕ рдПрдХ рдмрд╛рдШ рдЬрд┐рд╕рдХрд╛ рдирд╛рдо рдЪрдВрдЧреЗрдЬ рдерд╛, рдПрдХ рдирдП рддрд░реАрдХреЗ рд╕реЗ рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░ рдХрд░рддрд╛ рдерд╛ред рдЬрдм рднреА рдХреЛрдИ рд╕рд╛рдВрднрд░ рдкрд╛рдиреА рдореЗрдВ рдЬрд╛рддрд╛ рддреЛ рд╡рд╣ рдЙрд╕рдХрд╛ рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░ рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рдХрд░рддрд╛ рдерд╛ред рдмрд╛рдШ рдкрд░ рдХрдИ рднрд╛рд╖рд╛рдУрдВ рдореЗрдВ рдмрдиреА рдлрд┐рд▓реНрдореЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдХреЗ рдмрд╛рд░реЗ рдореЗрдВ рдмрддрд╛рдпрд╛ рдЧрдпрд╛ рд╣реИред рдХрдИ рджреЗрд╢реА рд╡рд┐рджреЗрд╢реА рдкрддреНрд░-рдкрддреНрд░рд┐рдХрд╛рдУрдВ рдореЗрдВ рднреА рд▓рд┐рдЦрд╛ рдЧрдпрд╛ред

рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдХреЛ рдЙрдирдХреЗ рдХрд╛рдореЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдХрдИ рдЕрдВрддрд░рд╛рд╖реНрдЯреНрд░реАрдп рд╕рдореНрдорд╛рдиреЛрдВ рд╕реЗ рдирд╡рд╛рдЬрд╛ рдЧрдпрд╛ ред рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдмрд╣реБрдд рд╣реА рдЙрджрд╛рд░ рджрд┐рд▓ рдХреЗ рдЗрдВрд╕рд╛рди рдереЗ рдЬреЛ рд╣рд░ рдХрд┐рд╕реА рдХреЛ рдЕрдкрдирд╛ рджреЛрд╕реНрдд рдмрдирд╛ рд▓рд┐рдпрд╛ рдХрд░рддреЗ рдереЗред рд╡рдиреНрдпрдЬреАрд╡реЛрдВ рдХреЛ рдиреБрдХрд╕рд╛рди рдкрд╣реБрдБрдЪрд╛рдиреЗ рд╡рд╛рд▓реЛрдВ рдХреЗ рдкреНрд░рддрд┐ рдЙрдирдХрд╛ рд╡реНрдпрд╡рд╣рд╛рд░ рдмрд╣реБрдд рд╕рдЦреНрдд рд╣реБрдЖ рдХрд░рддрд╛ рдерд╛ред рдпрд╣реА рдХрд╛рд░рдг рдерд╛ рдХреА рд╡рд╣ рд╡рдиреНрдпрдЬреАрд╡реЛрдВ рдПрд╡рдВ рдкрд░реНрдпрд╛рд╡рд░рдг┬а рдХреЛ рдиреБрдХрд╕рд╛рди рдкрд╣реБрдБрдЪрд╛рдиреЗ рд╡рд╛рд▓реЛрдВ рдХреЗ рджреБрд╢реНрдорди рдХреЗ рд░реВрдк рдореЗрдВ рдЬрд╛рдиреЗ рдЬрд╛рддреЗ рдереЗред рдЙрдирдХрд╛ рдХреЗрд╡рд▓ рдПрдХ рд╣реА рдЙрджреНрджреЗрд╢реНрдп рд╣реБрдЖ рдХрд░рддрд╛ рдерд╛ рдмрд╛рдШреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рдмрдЪрд╛рдирд╛ рдФрд░ рдЕрдЧрд░ рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рд▓рдЧрддрд╛ рдХреА рдЗрд╕ рдХрд╛рдо рдореЗрдВ рдХреБрдЫ рдЧрд▓рдд рд╣реЛ рд░рд╣рд╛ рд╣реИ┬а рддреЛ рд╡рд╣ рдЙрд╕рдХреЗ рдЦрд┐рд▓рд╛рдл рдЖрд╡рд╛рдЬ рдЙрдард╛рдиреЗ рдореЗрдВ рдХреЛрдИ рдХрд╕рд░ рдирд╣реАрдВ рдЫреЛрдбрд╝рддреЗ рдереЗред рдЬрдм рднреА рд╡реЗ рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рд╕реЗ рдХрд┐рд╕реА рдмрд╛рдШ рдХреЗ рдЧрд╛рдпрдм рд╣реЛрдиреЗ рдХрд╛ рдореБрджреНрджрд╛ рдЙрдард╛рддреЗ рддреЛ рд╡рди рд╡рд┐рднрд╛рдЧ рдЗрд╕рдХреЗ рд╡рд┐рдкрд░реАрдд рдЙрдирдХреА рдмрд╛рдд рдХреЛ рдЧрд▓рдд рд╕рд╛рдмрд┐рдд рдХрд░рдиреЗ рдХрд╛ рдкреНрд░рдпрд╛рд╕ рдХрд░рддреЗ рдЬрд┐рд╕рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рд╡рди рд╡рд┐рднрд╛рдЧ рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░рд╛ рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рдХрдИ рдмрд╛рд░ рдкреНрд░рддрд╛рдбрд╝рд┐рдд рднреА рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рдЧрдпрд╛ред рд╣рд╛рд▓рд╛рдБрдХрд┐ рдмрд╛рдж рдореЗрдВ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдХрд╛ рджрд╛рд╡рд╛ рд╣реА рд╕рд╣реА рдирд┐рдХрд▓рддрд╛ рдерд╛ред

рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдЕрдкрдиреЗ рджреГрдв рдирд┐рд╢реНрдЪрдп рдПрд╡рдВ рдИрдорд╛рдирджрд╛рд░реА рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдЬрд╛рдиреЗ рдЬрд╛рддреЗ рдереЗред рдпрд╣реА ┬ардХрд╛рд░рдг рдерд╛ рдХреА рдЙрдирдХреЗ рд╡рд┐рд░реЛрдзрд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдиреЗ рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рдХрдИ рдкреНрд░рдХрд╛рд░ рдХреЗ рдЭреВрдареЗ рдЖрд░реЛрдкреЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рдлрд╕рд╛рдиреЗ рдХреА рдХрдИ рдмрд╛рд░ рдХреЛрд╢рд┐рд╢ рдХреА рдЬрд┐рдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рдмрд╛рдж рдореЗрдВ рд╕рднреА рдЖрд░реЛрдкреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рдХреЛрд░реНрдЯ рдиреЗ рднреА рдЭреВрдард╛ рд╣реА рдорд╛рдирд╛ред рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдХреЛ рдЦреБрдж рдХреЗ рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░рд╛ рд╡рд┐рдХрд╕рд┐рдд рдХрд┐рдпреЗ рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рдореЗрдВ рдкреНрд░рд╡реЗрд╢ рд╕реЗ рдкреНрд░рддрд┐рдмрдВрдзрд┐рдд┬а рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рдЬрд╛рдирд╛ рдЙрдирдХреЗ рдЬреАрд╡рди рдХрд╛ рд╕рдмрд╕реЗ рдХрдард┐рди рджреМрд░ рдерд╛ред рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рдЕрдкрдиреЗ рдкрд╕рдВрджреАрджрд╛ рдЬрдВрдЧрд▓ рд╕реЗ рджреВрд░ рдЬрдпрдкреБрд░ рдореЗрдВ рддрдХрдиреАрдХреА рд╕рд▓рд╛рд╣рдХрд╛рд░ рдХреЗ рддреМрд░ рдкрд░ рдкрджрд╕реНрдерд╛рдкрд┐рдд рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рдЬрд╛рдирд╛ рдФрд░ рд▓рдЧрд╛рддрд╛рд░ рдЙрдирдХреА рд╕рд▓рд╛рд╣реЛрдВ рдХреЛ рд╡рд░рд┐рд╖реНрда рдЕрдзрд┐рдХрд╛рд░реАрдпреЛрдВ рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░рд╛ рдирдЬрд░рдЕрдВрджрд╛рдЬ рдХрд░рдирд╛ рднреА рдЙрдирдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдмрд╣реБрдд рджреБрдЦрдж рдерд╛ред

рдлрддреЗрд╣ рд╕рд┐рдВрд╣ рд░рд╛рдареМреЬ
рд░рдгрдердореНрднреМрд░ рдХреЗ рдЖрд╕ рдкрд╛рд╕ рд░рд╣рдиреЗ рд╡рд╛рд▓реЗ рд▓реЛрдЧ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рд╕реЗ рдЕрдкрдирд╛ рджреБрдГрдЦ рджрд░реНрдж рд╕рд╛рдЭрд╛ рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рдХрд░рддреЗ рдереЗ

1983 рдореЗрдВ рдореЗрд░реЗ рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░рд╛ рд╕рд╡рд╛рдИ рдорд╛рдзреЛрдкреБрд░ рдХреА рдпрд╛рддреНрд░рд╛ рдХреЗ рдмрд╛рдж рдЖрдЬ рдпрд╣ рд╢рд╣рд░ рдмрд╣реБрдд рдмрджрд▓ рдЧрдпрд╛ рд╣реИред рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рдХреЗ рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░рд╛ рд░реЛрдЬрдЧрд╛рд░ рдХреЗ рдХрдИ рдЕрд╡рд╕рд░ рдкреИрджрд╛ рд╣реБрдП рд╣реИрдВ рдЬрд┐рд╕рдиреЗ рдЗрд╕ рд╢рд╣рд░ рдХреА рдЕрд░реНрдерд╡реНрдпрд╡рд╕реНрдерд╛ рдореЗрдВ рдмрдбрд╝рд╛ рд╕реБрдзрд╛рд░ рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рд╣реИред рдЖрдЬ рд░рдгрдердореНрднреМрд░ рдмрд╛рдШ рджреЗрдЦрдиреЗ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рджреБрдирд┐рдпрд╛ рдХреА рдмреЗрд╣рддрд░реАрди рдЬрдЧрд╣реЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рд╕реЗ рдПрдХ рд╣реИред┬а рдмрд╛рдШреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рджреЗрдЦрдирд╛ рдкрд░реНрдпрдЯрдХреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдПрдХ рд╢рд╛рдирджрд╛рд░ рдЕрдиреБрднрд╡ рд╣реЛрддрд╛ рд╣реИред рджреБрдирд┐рдпрд╛ рдореЗрдВ рджреЗрдЦреА рдЬрд╛рдиреЗ рд╡рд╛рд▓реА рдмрд╛рдШреЛрдВ рдХреА рдЕрдзрд┐рдХрддрд░ рддрд╕реНрд╡реАрд░реЗрдВ рд░рдгрдердореНрднреМрд░ рдореЗрдВ рд▓реА рдЧрдпреАрдВ рд╣реИрдВред рд╣рд╛рд▓рд╛рдБрдХрд┐ рдЗрд╕ рдкреНрд░рд╕рд┐рджреНрдзрд┐ рдХреА рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рдХреЛ рдХреАрдордд рднреА рдЪреБрдХрд╛рдиреА рдкрдбрд╝реА рд╣реИред рд╕рдордп-рд╕рдордп рдкрд░ рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░реА рдпрд╣рд╛рдБ рдЕрдкрдиреА рдЧрддрд┐рд╡рд┐рдзрд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рдЕрдВрдЬрд╛рдо рджреЗрддреЗ рд░рд╣рддреЗ рд╣реИрдВред рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░рд┐рдпреЛрдВ рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░рд╛ рдмрд╛рдШреЛрдВ рдХреА рдЦрд╛рд▓ рдПрд╡рдВ рд╢рд░реАрд░ рдХреА рдЪреАрди рдореЗрдВ рддрд╕реНрдХрд░реА рдХреА рдЬрд╛рддреА рд╣реИред

рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░рд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдХрд╛ рдирдЬрд░рд┐рдпрд╛ рдмрд┐рд▓рдХреБрд▓ рдЕрд▓рдЧ рдерд╛ред рдЙрдирдХрд╛ рдорд╛рдирдирд╛ рдерд╛ рдХреА рдмрд╛рдШ рдХрд╛ рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░ рдХрд░рдиреЗ рд╡рд╛рд▓реЗ рдЗрд╕рдХрд╛ рдлрд╛рдпрджрд╛ рдирд╣реАрдВ рдЙрдард╛рддреЗ рд╣реИрдВред рдЕрдзрд┐рдХрддрд░ рдореЛрдЧреНрдпрд╛ рдЬрд╛рддреА рдХреЗ рд▓реЛрдЧ рдШреБрдордиреНрддреБ рдФрд░ рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░ рдХрд░рдиреЗ рдореЗрдВ рдорд╛рд╣рд┐рд░ рд╣реЛрддреЗ рд╣реИрдВред рдпреЗ рд▓реЛрдЧ рдЬреЗрд▓ рдореЗрдВ рд╕рдЬрд╛ рдХрд╛рдЯрдиреЗ рдХреЗ рдмрд╛рдж рдлрд┐рд░ рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░ рд╢реБрд░реВ рдХрд░ рджреЗрддреЗ рдереЗ рдЗрд╕рд▓рд┐рдП рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдореЛрдЧреНрдпрд╛рдУрдВ рдХреЗ рдкреБрдирд░реНрд╡рд╛рд╕ рдПрд╡рдВ рд░реЛрдЬрдЧрд╛рд░, рд╢рд┐рдХреНрд╖рд╛ рджрд┐рд▓рд╛рдиреЗ рдкрд░ рдЬреЛрд░ рджрд┐рдпрд╛ рдХрд░рддреЗ рдереЗред рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЛрдиреЗрдВ рдЯрд╛рдЗрдЧрд░ рд╡реЙрдЪ рдХреЗ рдорд╛рдзреНрдпрдо рд╕реЗ рдореЛрдЧреНрдпрд╛ рдмрдЪреНрдЪреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдПрдХ рдЫрд╛рддреНрд░рд╛рд╡рд╛рд╕ рд╕реНрдерд╛рдкрд┐рдд рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рдЬрд┐рд╕рдореЗрдВ рдЙрдирдХреЗ рд░рд╣рдиреЗ, рднреЛрдЬрди рдПрд╡рдВ рдкрдврд╝рдиреЗ рдХрд╛ рдкреНрд░рдмрдВрдз рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рдЧрдпрд╛ ред рдмрдЪреНрдЪреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рдЬреАрд╡рди рд╕реНрддрд░ рдХреЛ рд╕реБрдзрд╛рд░рдирд╛ рдПрд╡рдВ рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рд░реЛрдЬрдЧрд╛рд░ рдХреЗ рдЕрд╡рд╕рд░ рдЙрдкрд▓рдмреНрдз рдХрд░рд╛рдирд╛ рднреА рдЙрдирдХрд╛ рдордХрд╕рдж рдерд╛ред рдХрдИ рдЫрд╛рддреНрд░реЛрдВ рдХреЛ рд░реЛрдЬрдЧрд╛рд░рдкрд░рдХ рд╢рд┐рдХреНрд╖рд╛ рджреА рдЬрд╛рдиреЗ рд▓рдЧреАред рдорд╣рд┐рд▓рд╛рдУрдВ рдХреЛ рд╡рд┐рднрд┐рдиреНрди рд╣рд╕реНрддрдХрд▓рд╛рдУрдВ рдХреЗ рдмрд╛рд░реЗ рдореЗрдВ рдЬрд╛рдирдХрд╛рд░реА рджреА рдЬрд╛рдиреЗ рд▓рдЧреАред рд╕рдмрдХреЗ рдкреАрдЫреЗ рдпрд╣реА рдЙрджреНрджреЗрд╢реНрдп рдерд╛ рдХреА рдпреЗ рд▓реЛрдЧ рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░ рдЫреЛрдбрд╝рдХрд░ рд╕рдорд╛рдЬ рдХреА рдореБрдЦреНрдпрдзрд╛рд░рд╛ рд╕реЗ рдЬреБрдбрд╝ рд╕рдХреЗ рдФрд░ рдЖрдиреЗ рд╡рд╛рд▓реА рдкреАрдврд╝рд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рд╕рдорд░реНрде рдмрдирд╛ рд╕рдХреЗрдВред

рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдПрдХ рдЬрд┐рдВрджрд╛рджрд┐рд▓ рдЗрдВрд╕рд╛рди рдереЗ рдЬреЛ рдЕрдкрдиреА рдмреБрд▓рдВрдж рдЖрд╡рд╛рдЬ рдФрд░ рдмрд╛рдд рдХрд░рдиреЗ рдХреЗ рддрд░реАрдХреЗ рд╕реЗ рд╕рдмрдХрд╛ рджрд┐рд▓ рдЬреАрдд рд▓реЗрддреЗ рдереЗред рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдЕрдкрдиреЗ рджреЛрд╕реНрддреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде рдорд╕реНрддреА рдХрд░рдиреЗ рдХрд╛ рдореМрдХрд╛ рдХрднреА рдирд╣реАрдВ рдЫреЛрдбрд╝рддреЗ рдереЗ рдФрд░ рд░рд╛рдд рдХреЛ рдЖрдЧ рдХреЗ рдЪрд╛рд░реЛрдВ рдФрд░ рдмреИрдардХрд░┬а рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рдХреЗ рдХрд┐рд╕реНрд╕реЗ рд╕реБрдирд╛рдирд╛, рдЧрд╛рдиреЗ рдЧрд╛рдирд╛ рдмрд╣реБрдд рдкрд╕рдВрдж рдерд╛ред рд▓реЛрдЧреЛрдВ рд╕реЗ рдорд┐рд▓рдирд╛ рдФрд░ рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рдкрд╛рд░реНрдХ рдШреБрдорд╛рдирд╛ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдХреЛ рдмрд╣реБрдд рдкрд╕рдВрдж рдерд╛ред рдпрд╣ рдЙрдиреНрд╣реАрдВ рдХреЗ рдкреНрд░рдпрд╛рд╕реЛрдВ рдХрд╛ рдирддреАрдЬрд╛ рдерд╛ рдХреА рдХрдИ рд▓реЛрдЧ рдмрд╛рдШ рдмрдЪрд╛рдиреЗ рдХреА рдореБрд╣реАрдо рдореЗрдВ рдЬреБрдбрд╝рддреЗ рдЧрдпреЗред рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдПрдХ рд╕рдЪреНрдЪреЗ рдЗрдВрд╕рд╛рди рд╣реЛрдиреЗ рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде-рд╕рд╛рде рджреЛрд╕реНрддреА рдирд┐рднрд╛рдиреЗ рдореЗрдВ рдмрд╣реБрдд рдЖрдЧреЗ рдереЗред рдЙрдирдХреЗ рдкреБрддреНрд░ рд╢реНрд░реА рдЧреЛрд╡рд░реНрдзрди рд╕рд┐рдВрд╣ рд░рд╛рдареМреЬ рдиреЗ рд░рдгрдердореНрднреМрд░ рдореЗрдВ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдкрдмреНрд▓рд┐рдХ рд╕реНрдХреВрд▓ рдкреНрд░рд╛рдореНрдн рдХрд┐рдпрд╛ рдерд╛ рдЬрд┐рд╕рдореЗрдВ рдЧрд░реАрдм рдмрдЪреНрдЪреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рдХрдо рдлреАрд╕ рдкрд░ рдПрдбрдорд┐рд╢рди рджрд┐рдпрд╛ рдЬрд╛рддрд╛ рдерд╛, ред рдЗрд╕ рд╡рд┐рджреНрдпрд╛рд▓рдп рдХреЗ рдмрдЪреНрдЪреЛрдВ рдХреА рдУрд░ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдХрд╛ рд╣рдореЗрд╢рд╛ рд╡рд┐рд╢реЗрд╖ рдЬреБрдбрд╝рд╛рд╡ рд░рд╣рддрд╛ рдерд╛, рдЙрдирдХрд╛ рдорд╛рдирдирд╛ рдерд╛ рдХрд┐ рдмрдЪреНрдЪреЗ рдХрд┐рддрд╛рдмреА рдЬреНрдЮрд╛рди рдХреЗ рдЖрд▓рд╛рд╡рд╛ рднреА рдкрд░реНрдпрд╛рд╡рд░рдг рдХреЗ рдкреНрд░рддрд┐ рдЬрд╛рдЧрд░реВрдХ рд░рд╣реЗрдВред

рдХрдИ рдмрд╛рддреЛрдВ рдореЗрдВ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдмрдЪреНрдЪреЛрдВ рдЬреИрд╕реЗ рдереЗред рдПрдХ рддрд░рдл рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рдЧрдЬрд▓ рд╕реБрдирдирд╛ рдкрд╕рдВрдж рдерд╛ рддреЛ рджреВрд╕рд░реА рдФрд░ рд╡реЛ рдЬрд╝реЗрдЬ рднреА рд╕реБрдирд╛ рдХрд░рддреЗ рдереЗред рдПрдХ рдмрд╛рд░ рдореИрдВ рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рдХрд╛рд▓рд╛ рдШреЛрдбрд╝рд╛ рдХреЗ рдкрд╛рд╕ рд╕реНрдерд┐рдд рдПрдХ рдореНрдпреВрдЬрд╝рд┐рдХ рд╕реНрдЯреЛрд░ рдореЗрдВ рд▓реЗ рдЧрдпреА рдЬрд╣рд╛рдБ рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЛрдВрдиреЗ рдХрдИ рд╕реАрдбреА рдЦрд░реАрджреАрдВред рд▓реЗрдХрд┐рди рд╕рдмрд╕реЗ рдЬреНрдпрд╛рджрд╛ рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рдЬрдВрдЧрд▓ рдореЗрдВ рдЬрд╛рдирд╡рд░реЛрдВ рдХреЗ рдмреАрдЪ рд░рд╣рдирд╛, рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рджреЗрдЦрдирд╛ рдкрд╕рдВрдж рдерд╛ред рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рдмрд╛рдШ рдХреА рд╕рд╛рдЗрдЯрд┐рдВрдЧ рдХреА рдЬрдЧрд╣ рдХреЗ рдмрд╛рд░реЗ рдореЗрдВ рд╣рдореЗрд╢рд╛ рдкрддрд╛ рд░рд╣рддрд╛ рдерд╛ рдФрд░ рдЗрд╕рдХрд╛ рдЕрдиреБрднрд╡ рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рдмрд╛рдШ рдХреЗ рд╡реНрдпрд╡рд╣рд╛рд░ рдкрд░ рд▓рдореНрдмреЗ рд╕рдордп рддрдХ рдирдЬрд░ рд░рдЦрдиреЗ рд╕реЗ рд╣реБрдЖред рд░рдгрдердореНрднреМрд░ рдХреЗ рдмрд╛рдШреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде рддрд╛рд▓рдореЗрд▓ рдХреЛ рджреЗрдЦрддреЗ рд╣реБрдП рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдХреЗ рджреЛрд╕реНрдд рдХрднреА-рдХрднреА рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рд╣реНрдпреВрдорди рдЯрд╛рдЗрдЧрд░ рдХрд╣ рджрд┐рдпрд╛ рдХрд░рддреЗ рдереЗред рдЙрдирдХреА рджрдорджрд╛рд░ рд╢рдЦрд╝реНрд╕рд┐рдпрдд рдПрд╡рдВ рд╕рдлреЗрдж рдШреБрдорд╛рд╡рджрд╛рд░ рдореВрдЫреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рдХрд╛рд░рдг рд╡рд╣ рд╕рдЪ рдореЗрдВ рд╡реИрд╕реЗ рд╣реА рд▓рдЧрддреЗ рдереЗред

рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдХреЗ┬а рд╕рд╛рде рдЬрдВрдЧрд▓ рдореЗрдВ рдШреБрдорд╛рд╡рджрд╛рд░ рд░рд╛рд╕реНрддреЛрдВ рдкрд░ рдШреВрдордирд╛ рдЕрд▓рдЧ рд╣реА рдЕрдиреБрднрд╡ рд╣реБрдЖ рдХрд░рддрд╛ рдерд╛ред рдкреЗрдбрд╝ рдкрд░ рдмреИрдареЗ рдХреМрд╡реЛрдВ рдФрд░ рдЧрд┐рджреНрдзреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рджреЗрдЦрдХрд░ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдЧрд╛рдбрд╝реА рдХреЛ рдЙрд╕реА рджрд┐рд╢рд╛ рдореЗрдВ рдШреБрдорд╛ рджреЗрддреЗ рдФрд░ рд╡рд╣реАрдВ рдмрд╛рдШ рд╢рд┐рдХрд╛рд░ рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде рджрд┐рдЦ рдЬрд╛рдпрд╛ рдХрд░рддрд╛ рдерд╛ред рдмрд╛рдШ рдХреЛ рджреЗрдЦрдХрд░ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдЭреВрдо рдЙрдарддреЗ рдереЗред рдЕрдкрдиреЗ рдЬрдВрдЧрд▓ рдХреЗ рддрдХрд░реАрдмрди рд╣рд░ рдкрдХреНрд╖реА, рдкрд╢реБ, рдкреМрдзреЛрдВ рдХреЛ рд╡реЛ рдЬрд╛рдирддреЗ рдереЗ рдФрд░ рдпреЗ рд╕рдм рджреЗрдЦрдХрд░ рдмрд╣реБрдд рдЦреБрд╢ рд╣реЛрддреЗ рдереЗред

рдЕрдВрддрд┐рдо рд╕рдордп рдореЗрдВ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдХреЛ рджреЗрдЦрдирд╛ рдмрд╣реБрдд рдХрдард┐рди рд╕рдордп рдерд╛ред рдЙрдирдХрд╛ рд╕реНрд╡рд╛рд╕реНрдереНрдп рдирд┐рд░рдВрддрд░ рдЧрд┐рд░рддрд╛ рдЬрд╛ рд░рд╣рд╛ рдерд╛ред рдЙрди рджрд┐рдиреЛрдВ рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рдмреЛрд▓рдиреЗ рдореЗрдВ рднреА рдкрд░реЗрд╢рд╛рдиреА рд░рд╣рдиреЗ рд▓рдЧреА рдереАред рдЬрд░рд╛ рд╕рд╛ рднреА рдкрд╛рдиреА рд▓реЗрдиреЗ рдкрд░ рдмрд╣реБрдд рджрд░реНрдж рд╣реЛрддрд╛ рдерд╛ред рдлрд┐рд░ рднреА рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдЕрдкрдиреЗ рдкрд░рд┐рд╡рд╛рд░ рдЬрдиреЛрдВ рдПрд╡рдВ рджреЛрд╕реНрддреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рд╕рд╛рде рдЙрд╕реА рдЬрд┐рдВрджрд╛рджрд┐рд▓реА рд╕реЗ рд░рд╣рддреЗ рдереЗред рдПрдХ рдорд╛рд░реНрдЪ рдХреА рд╕реБрдмрд╣ рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рдЗрд╕ рдкреАрдбрд╝рд╛ рд╕реЗ рдореБрдХреНрддрд┐ рдорд┐рд▓реА, рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдЕрдм рдирд╣реАрдВ рдереЗредрдЕрдВрддрд┐рдо рд╕рдВрд╕реНрдХрд╛рд░ рдЕрдЧрд▓реЗ рджрд┐рди рд╣реБрдЖ, рдкрд╣рд▓реЗ рдЙрдирдХреА рдкрд╛рд░реНрдерд┐рд╡ рджреЗрд╣ рд░рдгрдердореНрднреМрд░ рдореЗрдВ рдкрд╣рд╛рдбрд╝рд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдХреЗ рдХрд┐рдирд╛рд░реЗ рдмрдиреЗ рдЙрдирдХреЗ рдШрд░ рдореЗрдВ рд░рдЦрд╛ рдЧрдпрд╛ рдЬрд╣рд╛рдБ рдХрдИ рдЧрдгрдорд╛рдиреНрдп рд╣рд╕реНрддрд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдиреЗ рдЙрдиреНрд╣реЗрдВ рд╢реНрд░рджреНрдзрд╛рдВрдЬрд▓рд┐ рджреА рдЙрд╕реА рджрд┐рди рд▓рдЧрднрдЧ рдЪрд╛рд░ рдмрдЬреЗ рдЙрдирдХреЗ рдирд┐рд╡рд╛рд╕ рд╕реЗ рдорд╣рдЬ 50┬а рдореАрдЯрд░ рдХреА рджреВрд░реА рдкрд░ рдПрдХ рдмрд╛рдШ рддреАрди рдмрд╛рд░ рджрд╣рд╛рдбрд╝рд╛ рд╕рд╛рде рд╣реА рджреБрд╕рд░реЗ рдкрд╢реБ рдкрдХреНрд╖рд┐рдпреЛрдВ рдХреА рдХреЙрд▓┬а рд╕реБрдирд╛рдИ рджреАред рдРрд╕рд╛ рд▓рдЧ рд░рд╣рд╛ рдерд╛ рдорд╛рдиреЛрдВ рдпреЗ рд╕рдм рдЕрдкрдиреЗ рдкрд┐рддрд╛ рдпрд╛рдирд┐ рдлрддреЗрд╣ рдХреЛ рд╢реНрд░рджреНрдзрд╛рдВрдЬрд▓рд┐ рджреЗрдиреЗ рдЖрдпреЗ рдереЗ!

 

Fateh Singh Rathore: A Human Tiger

Fateh Singh Rathore: A Human Tiger

Fateh Singh Rathore, a world-renowned expert on wild tigers, was the man behind the development of Ranthambhore, then a small hunting ground of erstwhile maharajas of Jaipur to a world famous tiger national park.

Fateh came from a rajput family. His family is based in a village called Chordiyan near Jodhpur. Unlike other earlier tiger experts, he was never a hunter. He started a career in wildlife conservation by pure chance, after several failed attempts at other occupations that held no interest for him. Through his uncleтАЩs connections, he got a job as a ranger in Sariska, and immediately knew that he had found his calling. He loved the forest, and soon grew to excel in fieldcraft, interpreting the signs of the forest as few others have been able to do. He was never very interested in studies or classroom work, and relied on empirical field observation rather than theories. As a result, he has been belittled by some who find him unscientific, forgetting that scientific theories originate from field observations.

Ironically, the first task he had to face in the area that became the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (RTR) was to arrange a tiger hunt for Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain when she visited India in January 1961. In those days, wildlife tourism meant hunting, and many ex-Maharajas organized hunts for their visitors as a source of income for themselves. This area of Rajasthan was the hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Jaipur.

fateh singh rathore

Hunting was banned in the early 1970s, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi realised that the number of tigers in the wild had fallen dangerously low, merely 1800 as compared to around 40,000 at the beginning of the twentieth century. Project Tiger was set up in 1973, and Ranthambhore was one of the nine reserves chosen under its first phase, which aimed to include an example of each of the different types of habitat in which wild tigers were found. Ranthambhore is a dry deciduous forest. Fateh was given the responsibility of developing this new park, since his seniors, S.R. Choudhury who taught him at the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun and Kailash Sankhala, the first Director of Project Tiger, saw great promise in the young man. Fateh Singh Rathore ably lived up to that promise. He set to work planning and making roads through the park area, locating them in such a way that animals would always have access to drinking water, and ensuring that the paths meandered and were never straight. The whole area was very degraded, with most of the trees lopped for firewood by the inhabitants of 16 villages that existed in isolated pockets. Domestic cattle roamed everywhere, and the only evidence of the presence of any wildlife was an occasional tiger pugmark or deer hoof print. Fateh Singh Rathore realised that if the forest were to be allowed to regenerate, he would have to move the villages out of the area. He went about his task using a great deal of patience and tact, finding out from the villagers what they would want as compensation. Project Tiger ensured that the villagers were compensated with better land outside the park area, with five additional bighas of land being given to every male over the age of 18. They were also provided with money to build houses and dig wells, and were in addition given a health centre and a school, facilities that they had never had in the past. The new village was named Kailashpuri in honour of Kailash Sankhala. Once the villages were moved out, the forest began to regenerate on its own, becoming the incomparably beautiful Ranthambhore National Park, and in 1976, Fateh finally saw his first wild tigress there, naming her Padmini after his elder daughter. He began studying her with her family of four cubs (a fifth cub died young), and soon Ranthambhore became famous as one of the best places in the world in which to see wild tigers.

 with villagers
Late Sh. Fateh SIngh Rathore was very keen to talk with local villagers and to help them

His experiences with wild tigers have been widely documented in the books that he and Valmik Thapar (now a very well respected tiger expert himself) and he wrote together. One observation they made and photographed was that the male interacts freely with his cubs. Up until then it was believed that the tigress brought up the cubs on her own. But they photographed a family in a pool together, father, mother and two cubs. On other occasions they saw the male even sharing food with the cubs, or playing with them. In the 1980s there was a tiger they called Genghis who developed his own way of hunting sambar by rushing into the lakes to catch them as they grazed. This technique has been documented on film. Many television documentaries featuring Fateh have been made in English, French, German, Japanese, and many magazine articles have appeared on him over the years. His work has earned him numerous international awards, the latest being given to him by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) as recently as 16 February 2011.

Fateh Singh Rathore was unfailingly good hearted, generous, kind and friendly. At the same time, he had a short temper, and lost no time in punishing anyone who he felt was harming any of the animals. As a result, although he was genuinely loved by many people all round the world, he was also feared and disliked by those who had done something wrong, or who had some of their shortcomings pointed out to them. His one agenda was to save wild tigers, and he did not hesitate to blow the whistle each time he felt things were going wrong. Every time he pointed out that some tigers were missing from the park, in spite of the forest departmentтАЩs vehement denials, he was penalized in some way for his temerity, even though he was invariably proved right. Fateh Singh Rathore was a man of the purest integrity and honesty, but many tried to spoil his reputation by alleging all kinds of false things about him, all of which were disproved in court. One of the saddest phases of his life was when the forest department banned him from entering the park he did so much to create. Another was when he was given an office job in Jaipur, far from his forest, and had all his suggestions ignored even though his designation was that of тАЬTechnical AdviserтАЭ. ┬а

fateh singh rathore

Sawai Madhopur, the town nearest Ranthambhore, has grown and prospered since I first visited Ranthambhore in 1983, its economy dramatically changed because of the employment opportunities generated by the park. Today Ranthambhore is one of the finest places in the world in which wild tigers can be seen, and it has given so much delight to so many people. Most of the images of wild tigers seen round the world are those taken in Ranthambhore. This success comes at a price: tiger poaching raises its ugly head from time to time, with tiger skins and body parts smuggled to China. FatehтАЩs approach to the poachers was unique, and very typical of him. He realised that the people who actually kill the tigers are not the ones who profit from the deed. They are very poor nomadic hunter-gatherers from the Mogiya tribe. Knowing that poaching cannot be curbed by jailing the poachers for a few days and then letting them off on bail to continue their occupation, he has been trying in the recent past to rehabilitate them by offering them an alternative livelihood. Through his NGO Tiger Watch, he set up a hostel for Mogiya boys where they are fed, clothed and sent to school, giving them an opportunity to improve their lives. The older boys have now started receiving vocational training to improve their prospects. The women are being taught various handicrafts. All these benefits are being given on condition that the men stop poaching tigers.

 in cave

Fateh has always been a larger-than-life character, with a stentorian voice, full of exuberance and fun. He loved teasing his friends with a twinkle in his eye, and would tell all kinds of silly jokes, sing songs, tell his tiger stories around a bonfire on a chilly winter night. He loved meeting people and took to his heart all those who loved his forest. In fact it is largely due to him that so many people have become enthusiastic supporters of the cause for saving wild tigers. He was always a true and loving friend, and a benign and grandfatherly figure to the children who attend the Fateh Public School set up by his son Goverdhan, where they already practice the kind of inclusive education recommended recently by Human Resources Minister Kapil Sibal, offering freeships to village children who come from as far as 20 km away. His love for tigers was equally infectious, and influenced many younger conservationists. His brand of magic was nothing but his utterly genuine nature. There was never anything fake or malicious about him. He was just a very lovable and loving person, very childlike in many ways, and that is what endeared him to us all. He loved listening to sentimental ghazals, and was equally fond of jazz. I once took him to a well known music store near Kala Ghoda to select some CDs, and he was shown about 20 of the kind he wanted. After listening to a few samples, he decided to buy the lot.

Most of all, Fateh Singh Rathore loved being in the forest, seeing all his animals, savouring every sight, smell and sound. He had a sharp instinct for knowing where to find a tiger, and all his knowledge of tigers came from his keen and regular observation of their behaviour. He was so attuned to tigers that many of his friends referred to him as a human tiger. He even looked a bit like one, with his jaunty white moustache. It was an absolute delight and privilege to be driven around the park by him, charging his jeep into a meadow if he saw crows or vultures on a tree, in case we found a tiger there with its kill. He would hum with delight if he saw a tiger with his тАЬField DirectorтАЩs eyesтАЭ. He knew every mammal, bird, reptile, insect or plant that was found in тАЬhisтАЭ forest, and loved them all.

fateh singh rathore watching cave paintings
Fateh watching a rock painting near Bundi district

It has been very painful to watch his health decline over the past two months since his cancer was diagnosed. At the end he even lost his voice, and found it difficult to communicate what he wanted. Every mouthful of food or sip of water would bring on a fit of coughing. Yet he was extremely brave until the very end, surrounded by his loving family and friends who did all they could to ease his discomfort. The cancer won in the end, mercifully sooner than expected, and he breathed his last on the morning of 1 March. The cremation was planned for the next morning, and his body was laid out in the living room of his beautiful house, overlooking the hills on the outskirts of Ranthambhore. Almost miraculously, at 4 a.m. on the day of the funeral, a tiger was heard giving three roars directly behind his house, followed by a clamour of alarm calls by other animals and birds. They came to call their father home, and that is where we shall continue to find his benign spirit, watching over the special piece of earth he made his own.

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