The roar of progress: How reintroducing tigers signals hope for climate, forests, and indigenous communities

The upcoming reintroduction of tigers into the Cardamoms Rainforest is more than just a prospective triumph for wildlife conservation; it is a promise of hope in our fight against climate change, the preservation of our forests, and the protection of indigenous communities.

Suwanna Gauntlett

For centuries, the tiger has been a symbol of strength and resilience. Its anticipated return to the Cardamoms Rainforest will be a testament to the dedicated efforts of many stakeholders, including, the Government of India, Wildlife Alliance, the Government of Cambodia, and local people. However, this initiative is not just about saving a species from the brink of extinction. It represents a holistic approach to conservation that benefits the environment and the people who depend on it.

India will be sending four tigers to Cambodia this year in a historic bid to revive the kingdom’s big cat population.

The last sighting of a tiger in Cambodia was in 2007, and they were declared “functionally extinct” in 2016. These new arrivals will be acclimatized in a 90-hectare forest enclosure inside the Cardamoms Rainforest before being released into the wild.

“Extensive preparations have been made, including the installation of over 400 cameras, the establishment of 16 ranger stations, and setting up monitoring devices for the tigers’ safety and the safety of nearby villages.”

Deforestation and poaching have devastated tiger populations across Asia. Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam have all lost their native tiger populations, while Myanmar is thought to have just 23 tigers left in the wild. India’s wild tiger population now exceeds 3,600, thanks to a massive conservation campaign.

Forests are our planet's lungs, absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. Healthy forests store more carbon, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. The Cardamoms Rainforest, one of Southeast Asia’s last remaining major forests, plays a critical role in this process. By protecting and rehabilitating this forest, we are contributing to the global fight against climate change. The presence of tigers will be a sign of a healthy ecosystem. Their return will indicate that efforts to protect and restore the forest are working.

The reintroduction of tigers necessitates the preservation of vast tracts of forest land. Tigers require huge territories to thrive, which means protecting great swathes of their habitat from deforestation and degradation

The reintroduction of tigers necessitates the preservation of vast tracts of forest land. Tigers require huge territories to thrive, which means protecting great swathes of their habitat from deforestation and degradation. This, in turn, safeguards biodiversity, ensures water regulation, and maintains the ecosystem services that millions of people rely on. Wildlife Alliance’s work through the REDD+ program has already helped to save 1.7 million hectares of the Cardamoms Rainforest, and the return of tigers underscores the importance of continuing these efforts.

“Conservation is not just about wildlife; it is about people. The indigenous communities that live in and around the Cardamoms Rainforest have been the forest’s stewards for generations.”

Their traditional knowledge and sustainable practices are invaluable to our conservation efforts. By protecting the forest, we are also protecting their way of life. However, these communities face significant threats from land grabs, illegal logging, and other forms of exploitation. By securing their land rights and involving them in conservation efforts, we not only preserve their culture and livelihoods but also enhance the effectiveness of our conservation strategies.

The upcoming success of the tiger reintroduction will be a vivid illustration of how interconnected our environmental challenges are

Tackling climate change, protecting forests, and defending indigenous rights are not separate issues; they are deeply intertwined. Our holistic approach recognizes this interconnectedness. By addressing these issues together, we can create a sustainable future for both people and wildlife.

The roar of a tiger in the Cardamoms Rainforest will be more than a sound; it will be a call to action. It will remind us that when we come together to protect our planet, we can achieve remarkable things. The success of this project will show that with dedication, collaboration, and a commitment to holistic conservation, we can turn the tide for our planet’s future.

As we prepare for the return of the tigers, let us also commit to continuing our efforts to combat climate change, protect our forests, and uphold the rights of indigenous peoples. The challenges are great, but the rewards—for our planet, for wildlife, and for future generations—are even greater.

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website.

---

Suwanna Gauntlett

I am the founder and CEO of Wildlife Alliance, a Cambodia-based organization that implements a direct on-the-ground approach to conserving natural resources and combines ecosystem management with development of economic incentives for local communities. As an environmental conservationist, my mission is to stop trafficking of wild animals and stop tropical deforestation by helping governments create urban-centered anti-wildlife trafficking units that intercept smuggler shipments in cities, on roads and national borders and forest-centered ranger patrol units that stop the bulldozing of tropical rainforests.

“I was recognized by the Royal Government of Cambodia with five gold medals including the National Award of Mohasereyvat in 2022, Knight of Sahametrei in 2016, Knight of Sowathara in 2014, Knight of Sahametrei in 2004 and National Reconstruction and Rehabilitation in 2001.”

My ranger protection work, counter wildlife trafficking work, elephant rescue work and creation of the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team, Asia’s only full-time counter wildlife trafficking law enforcement unit, have been featured on on Discovery Channel by Jeff Corwin in his Planet in Peril and Animal Planet series and by Anderson Cooper on CNN.

My tiger protection work in Cambodia was featured in the BBC documentary Big Cats About the House. A chapter of Unsung Heroes was dedicated to my wildlife protection work, and I was recognized as one 40 Forbes Asia 2018 Heroes of Philanthropy. My successful campaign to prevent industrial exploitation of the Cardamom Rainforest was featured in ABC Nightline, Australia when an Australian group was planning to clear-cut 14,981 hectares of the Elephant Corridor to plant a large-scale banana plantation and factories for export, without any respect for local laws. My community-based ecotourism in Chi Phat at the heart of the Cardamoms provides livelihoods to 350 families of previous wildlife poachers and has received the Dubai International Award for Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment from the Municipality of Dubai.