Man and beast learn to live in happy co-existence
If you can't get rid of them, adopt them. When the UP forest department discovered the existence of 26 cane tigers, they tried to drive them back into the jungles. Since they couldn't, they appointed nine, then 17, farmers as guardians to nine cane tigresses and 17 cubs. Not only were these guardians to protect the tigers, they were also to ensure that half-eaten carcasses wouldn't be poisoned. In fact, the farmowners have been promised Rs 3,000 compensation for cattle which falls prey.
Simultaneously, an eco-development programme has been instituted to protect the tigers. After seeking special advice from the US forest department and the Wildlife Institute of India, the UP forest department has started various management techniques to make the forest area suitable for the herbivores and thus the tigers. Besides planting more trees, coarse grass will be destroyed and replaced with a better variety. Villagers are also being introduced to business options like fishery and bee-keeping to prevent them from felling trees or engaging in other activities with harmful effects on the forests.