The serene, scenic beauty of the Sunder Bans, the largest unbroken mangrove forest in the world, a UNESCO declared World Heritage Site, cannot be explained in mere words. Only those who have set foot on its shores can testify to that. This large collection of densely forested islands is situated where the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers empty into the Bay of Bengal. A collection of hundreds of islands crisscrossed by rivers, streams and small canals, the mangrove covers over 10,000 square kms with more than 6000 square kms falling within Bangladesh’s territory and the rest in India.

This is the last sanctuary that 300 to 500 of the worlds remaining 3000 or so wild tigers, call home. ” The Royal Bengal Tigers” or “Swamp Tigers” as they have been so candidly named are possibly the smallest subspecies of Tiger on the planet but what they lack in size, is more than made up for in terms of aggression and fierce reputation.

Even if one has traversed the Tiger terrains of India, Russia and other Asian countries, nothing will prepare you for the sunder bans. Everywhere the forest is so dense that it’s hard to see more than a few feet. Everyday the forest floods at high tide and everything becomes engulfed by the sea. This water leaves nothing but soggy, sticky mud in its wake. As if all these were not enough the ground is covered with million of mangrove roots that spring out of the earth, like pointed spikes. Now you can just imagine that in such a terrain, where one would be preoccupied in just finding their footing, unnoticed a Tiger may silently lurk, just a few feet away, savoring the meal to come.

Despite living on their door step very few people have ever seen a wild Tiger and of those that have, fewer have survived to tell its tale. Although these poor people try to protect themselves as best they can, their different endeavors to earn an income from the forest resources results on average between a 100 to 250 human deaths a year from Tiger attacks.

Traditionally the Tiger, Human conflict and instances of “man eating” tiger attacks and deaths have been most prone in the restricted areas of the forest. “Bawalis” or forest wood cutters, usually fall prey to the striped terror when they venture into the forest to cut “Golpata” a type of palm leaf used throughout the region for thatching roofs. Fishermen also sometimes confront tigers when they fish for seafood in the narrow canals. But among all the people in the Sunder bans, it is the honey collectors or “Mawalis” as they are locally called who have the most dangerous job. Right at the start of the season, in April, hundreds of groups, each having 5 to 7 honey collectors can be seen racing towards the Sunder bans in small country boats with nothing but the blessings of local priests or “Gunins”, as protection against Tiger attacks. The locals, both Hindus and Muslims, believe that the prayers said by the “Gunin” will put them under the protection of “Bonbibi”, a local deity who is said to rule the inhabited parts of the Sunder Bans. They say that it is basically the mythical Demon King “Dakhin Rai” who rules the deep forests and take the form of a Tiger and attack the intruders in the forest and only “Bonbibi” can fight him off and protect them. The honey collectors or “Mawalis”are the people who venture deepest into the Tigers’ domain in their search for the golden nectar and they are the ones who most frequently, fall prey to the Tigers.

Over the years different methods have been employed by the locals to protect themselves, from Tigers. One such technique used was, to wear a mask on the back of the head, as Tiger’s normally attack from behind. Even though this seemed to work for a while, the cunning felines soon realized the trick and became smarter.

In the recent years, the problems of Tiger human conflict have moved beyond the pristine forests and into the many villages on the edge of the forest. Scarcity of natural prey, has forced many a Tiger to move closer to human habitats where they find easy pickings, in local livestock and dogs. Every such problem Tiger is a cause for concern because once an animal becomes a cattle and goat lifter, it’s just a matter of time before the first human casualty and it earns the reputation of a Man Eater. In the end it is the Tiger that loses out as its errant behavior ultimately leads to it’s death at the hands of the local people.

Why does a Tiger become a man eater? This is a question that has aroused uncountable debates among Tiger experts all over the World. Many schools of thoughts have many different answers.

1. Primarily a Tiger becomes a man eater once it loses its natural fear of Man and looks at them as prey animals. Popular theorists state that when a Tiger becomes too old or injured to catch normal fast footed prey it shifts attention to easier, slower animals such as livestock and dogs, This brings it within the proximity of man and through some chance encounter it finds hunting humans to be far easier than any other animal.

2. A Tiger that has been with a Man eater especially for the purpose of breeding may easily acquire the bad habit.

3. Cubs from a man-eating Tiger mother will acquire the taste at an early age and actively hunt people for food.

In the context of the Sunder Bans, some other hypotheses exist as well.

4. Daily flooding during high tide means the forests are flooded and scent markings of the Tiger’s territory gets washed away regularly, so in order to protect its domain the Tiger’s become exceptionally aggressive.

5. When people enter the forests for collecting honey, cutting wood or fishing they become intruders in it’s territory and ultimately fall prey.

6. Another hypotheses suggests that humans washed away in cyclones and other natural disasters, wash up as dead bodies in the Sunder Bans and Tigers learn the taste of human flesh from feeding on corpses.

7. The massacre of Tigers that happened throughout the 20th Century especially in India did not happen in the Sunder Bans, due to not having seen the brutality of men, Tiger’s here have no natural fear of Man.

8. Another farfetched idea suggests that the high salinity of the water leads to damage to internal organs, stressing Tigers and leading t heightened aggression leading to human fatality on chance encounters.

It’s fierce reputation as well as the hostile environment might imply that the Royal Bengal Tiger is totally safe in the mangroves of the Sunder Bans, a place where it can apparently elude extinction at the hands of man. In reality the story is very different. Just like in other places, poaching exists in the Sunder Bans as well, in some cases more as monitoring and detection is far more difficult considering the vastness and hostile nature of the terrain. The huge demand for Tiger parts, bones and skins in China, with a single skin fetching up to or even more than 20,000 USD, in a land where the poor eke out a living on a dollar a day, it can just prove too tempting for some. Specially the hundreds of groups of bandits that camp out throughout the Sunder Bans and terrorize fishermen and locals, find the poaching of deer and Tiger to be a very good supplementary trade.

Whether through conflict with their human neighbors or at the end of a poacher’s gun, the 300 or so Tiger’s that call the Sunder bans home are facing the eminent threat of extinction and unless serious, effective measures are taken on multiple fronts, it’s just a matter of time till the name of this regal animal adorns the extinct list with its Java and Balinese cousins. Even though Bangladesh is signatory to CITES there is yet to be any legislation that would deal severely and effectively with poaching of Tigers. The thing to note here is that Government agencies alone cannot effectively put a stop to poaching, a thing that was evident in the massacres of almost entire populations of Tigers in “protected” Tiger preserves such as Panna and Sariska in India. In Bangladesh even though there are commendable initiatives already taken at both national and international levels such as the project “Tiger Team” formerly known as “Sunder bans Tiger Project” initially funded by “The Save the Tiger Fund” and the “United States Fish and Wildlife Service” Along with technical help from the University of Minnesota. The project is currently coordinated by “Wild Team” former Wildlife Trust of Bangladesh and is working on different methods of reducing Human, Tiger conflict.

Even local residents of the Sunder bans acknowledge that the importance of the Tiger, which is at the very apex of the food chain in the Sunder bans. Once it’s gone the ecological balance of the forest will be destroyed. Prey animal population will explode exhausting the flora of the forest. Without fear of the Tiger, locals will decimate the forest trees and other resources and ultimately the largest Mangrove forest of the world will die.

While Tiger populations are being decimated in Siberia, India and other parts of the world, The Sunder Bans, in its entirety can be the last stronghold for the world’s Tigers. But only with effective Tiger management, conservation of habitat and prey, proper management of human, tiger conflicts, and taking into account the people factor, can this ever be achieved.

In Bangladesh, a country where the Tiger, is held in high regard as the national emblem, this majestic animal has made a last stand as the Guardians of the Sunder bans.

Anaconda snakes are a misinterpreted and misunderstood a lot. The movie Anaconda starring Jennifer Lopez and Jon Voight etched an inerasable image of this creature in our mind. The very A word conjures up an image of a creature that is big, bad, ugly and savors humans and animals alike.

However, this image of the snake is as far from reality as is Hawaii from Himalayas.

Etymologically speaking, there are two probable sources of this dreaded name, and surprisingly both the two sources are from the far away continent of Asia. One of the possible origins of the name is the Sinhalese word of yenakandey or henakandey which when literally translated meant whip snake while the other probable origin is the Tamil word anaikondran which when translated meant elephant slayer. It is truly surprising to know that the name of a species found only in the tropical forests of South America is derived from a language that is spoken in the southern most tip of Asia.

The natural habitat of this beautiful and majestic snake is the tropical forests of Southern America and the swamps, riverbeds and water bodies are richly populated with this constrictor snake. As a matter of fact, the very word Amazon is almost synonymous to anacondas and piranhas for most of us.

However, in this age of television adventurism and couch potato wild life enthusiasts, you will find these creatures in almost every respectable zoos and snake gardens. However, the grandeur of a domesticated or bred one is significantly pale as compared to the gigantic, fierce and intoxicating beautiful natural anacondas found in the swamps of the great river Amazon

Anaconda snakes are one of the largest reptiles found in the wild. Currently, only Asiatic pythons in terms of length weight and body diameter and they together are the main members of the constrictor family of snakes.

As the name suggests, constrictor snakes use constriction, or the squeezing effect to strangulate its preys and then gobbles up the prey wholly. This probably makes anacondas one of the cleanest predators and leaves nothing to waste unlike the lion kings or the tiger cats.

Another very interesting fact about this species of snake is the physical superiority of females over males. While male anacondas are known to have grown to as much as twenty feet with an average length of sixteen feet, female counterparts are considerably bigger with a maximum length of thirty feet with a species average length of about twenty five feet. And in the wilds of Amazon, it is the bigger the better.

It is rightly said that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. While we the citizens of the concrete jungle squirm at the very mention of the name anaconda, the natural beauty of this snake increasingly amazes wild life enthusiasts, environmentalists and biologists. Unanimous the decision may be, the kings of the Amazon, the anaconda snakes.

Birthday of Guru Rinpoche Date: July 2, 2010

The Birthday of Guru Rinpoche is a public holiday in Bhutan.

The kingdom of Bhutan is fondly known as the “land of thunder dragons” to their citizens. Buddhism is supposed to have been brought to Bhutan by the “Padmasambhava” or the “Lotus Born”. This is a different form of Buddhism with a tantric side to it. In Tibet and Bhutan, the Padmasambhava is referred to as Guru Rinpoche (“Precious Master”) or Lopon Rinpoche. His birthday is celebrated with great joy in Bhutan.

History of The Birthday of Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan

Tibet was expanding during 640 to 842 CE during which it absorbed the state of Zhang-Zhang, Nepal, China, and other territories around it. At the end of this time, in Bhutan, the famous “Tiger’s Nest” monastery was being built on a sheer cliff wall about 500 meters above the floor of Paro valley.

Legend says that the local demons did not like the spread of Buddhism in to their land and they showed their wrath at night by destroying everything that would have been created during the day. The king, who became very sad, asked the Indian monastic. The monastic asked the good king to bring in the tantric mahasiddha called Padmasambhava from India to tame the local demons and get them bound to the Buddhist-dharma. Legend has it that the he flew there from Tibet on the back of a flying tigress for the purpose of the trip.

The Padmasambhava traveled through Tibet during which he performed his duty of subduing demons and the local Gods. Padmasambhava had five female companions who were called the “Five Wisdom Dakinis” or “Five Consorts”. They had access to the master’s heart and practiced secret sexual rites which tamed the previous demons of Tibet and converted them into protectors of the country.

Bhutan’s Birthday of Guru Rinpoche Traditions, Customs and Activities

Monks and other citizens of Bhutan celebrate Guru Rinpoche’s birthday with traditionally decorated hand-carried effigies of the Guru and participate in associated religious ceremonies. The holiday is taken seriously by most citizens, celebrating Guru Rinpoche’s contributions to peace.

Tiger travel in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve takes wildlife enthusiasts to some of the most extensive and rich grasslands in Asia. Located in the remote far west of Nepal, in the lowlands near the border with India and near the Nepalese city of Dhangadhi (which can be reached by a flight from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu), Suklaphanta is a special place. It is quiet and little visited by tourists, giving wildlife enthusiasts the opportunity to witness its diverse array of animals with no other people nearby – and that diversity is spectacular. Leaving the parks of India behind to experience Tiger travel in Nepal is truly unforgettable.

History of Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve

The development of the wildlife reserve dates to the area’s historical use as a favourite hunting ground by the ruling class of Nepal. In 1969 it was declared a Royal Hunting Reserve. Four years later, in 1973, it was turned into Royal Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve, encompassing an area of 155 square kilometres. It was extended to its current size of 305 square kilometres in the late 1980s. It takes its name from Sukla Phanta, a grassland inside the reserve: the largest continuous grassland in Nepal, approximately 16 square kilometres in size, and a thriving habitat for numerous bird and mammal species that can be observed on a Tiger travel tour.

History in the region of the park goes back further: the grasslands and forests hold remains of an ancient kingdom, such as the brick girdle 1,500 metres in circumference near the lake Rani Tal. Locals consider it to be what is left of the fort of Singpal, a king of the Tharu people.

Tiger travel in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve

The reserve is home to an estimated 20 of the animals, a high population density found in few other places. The population in Suklaphanta is shyer than in the popular wildlife reserves in India, where tourists visit in high numbers, which means that a sighting is not guaranteed. However, a tour to Suklaphanta is a spectacular experience: the possibility of encountering a Tiger – or a Leopard – is joined by the certainty of seeing a wide array of wildlife in a stunning region of Asia.

Bird watchers will be excited by the possibility of seeing some rare grassland specialists, such as the resident Finn’s Weaver and the Bristled and Rufous-rumped Grassbirds, and winter visitors including the Hodgson’s Bushchat. Over 400 bird species have been recorded in Suklaphanta. These include half of Nepal’s globally threatened bird species. Mammal enthusiasts will delight in seeing Asian Elephant, Great Indian One-horned Rhino, Terai Langur, Golden Jackal and Swamp, Spotted and Hog Deer. Tiger travel in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve is truly rewarding for all wildlife enthusiasts.

Business news for 2010

Mergers and acquisitions will occur in the metal and wood industries. Industries that would do well would be fire related. Restaurants, lighting, fast food chains, bakery shops and those utilizing electricity. So the IT/Computer industry is another bright spot.

Industries that would not fair so well would include chemicals, cosmetics, pet shops, renovation, agriculture and construction. These are all earth related.

Education, pulp and paper, timber, and furniture will be another bright spot as they represent wood. Wood symbolizes growth and education is about personal growth.

Health for 2010

The most vulnerable parts of the body would include the lungs, throat area, the vertebrae and the neck. Reason? Think about this, how does a Tiger hunt their prey? They tend to attack the neck area by gnawing on them.

Rat – 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924

People born in this year often manifest characteristics of a different species that is more resistant to nature. In the Chinese Zodiac, the rats have considerable qualities of resistance and persistence. The rat also has the ability to adapt and move forward. The problem with the rat is that if it faces a difficult circumstance, it can break under pressure.

For those born in the year of the Rat, this will be an average year for you. There will be obstacles at work but overall, it will be a quiet year for you. Doing part-time education is a good way to fight boredom. In terms of investments, don’t expect major gains. It is also a year of travel for you.

The Tiger is the travel star of the Rat, therefore, movement is expected for you, whether it is travelling or moving to a new home. For those working in a multinational corporation, there is a greater possibility for you to be sent off to a different city to work in.

Health will generally be good. Just be careful during the period between mid-June to mid July. If you are married, you’ll be happy at home. For those who are single and have a target, give it a try.

Ox – 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, 1925

People born in this year are workers and are tireless just like buffalos/cows dragging plows. These people can withstand considerable pressure and support a heavy load. The Ox tends to be conservative and usually stay in the same job or profession for a long period of time. They want to stay economical and do not want to run into any risks.

This is another average year for you but at least it’s better than last year. I’m sure many of you prefer not to talk about last year as you violated the ruling animal which we call the “Grand Duke”. There won’t be any major changes in the work place or at home. In terms of investments, it is better to put money in safer investments like GICs, bonds and long term savings. You will probably end up spending money on special events and weddings.

In terms of health, the Ox tends to work extra hard, therefore, you need to sleep early and take extra care of your health. Proper vitamins and exercising is the way to go.

If you are married, you should find some time to be together. Try not to think about work every night and day. If you are single, romance will be there and mid-June to mid-July will present opportunities for you.

Tiger – 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926

The Tiger experiments with the total force of his energy with overwhelming intensity. The tiger in his natural habitat have an immense field of energy found in constant and intimate interaction with the environment that surrounds it. The force of the tiger is profoundly and deeply sensitive. Even when they are resting, they are like a loaded gun at rest, ready to fire. Their influence can be considerable, both in business and people relations.

This is an inauspicious year for you. Those born in the year of the Tiger offend the Grand Duke, in Chinese, it is called “Fan Tai Sui”. The Grand Duke is the ruling energy that causes instability to those who share the energy of the year, as a result, thinking may not be clear and it is easier to make the wrong decisions. Wealth should not be exposed. For you, it is better to lay low. Take care of your belongings as it is easy for you to attract robbers’ attention for this year.

Health can be a problem for you. Be extra careful if you drive a lot. There is a conflict between the Metal and the Tiger energy of this year. There is a month where you have to pay particular attention to regarding health. That is the month of the Monkey as it clashes with the ruling animal. The month of the Monkey begins on August 10th and ends on September 7th in 2010. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels must be monitored. Stay away from alcohol and lust. Getting away between mid August and mid September is advised. Symptoms in health includes minor sickness, emotional imbalance, and minor misfortunes.

There are greater possibilities for romance in the month of the Rabbit for those who are single. That would be between mid-March to mid-April. For those who are married, avoid arguments.

Remedies include using a Pig talisman. Wearing a talisman of a ‘pi you’ dog is also another possibility.

Rabbit – 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927

The Rabbit is gentle and kind and tends to have a wide group of friends and family. They enjoy entertaining at home and ensures that their home is comfortable and organized. Change is not immediately embraced by the Rabbit as they will think over every detail before making any decisions.

This is a very lucky year for you which will include possibilities of promotion and money luck. Money will come and go but career will definitely be positive. Health and investment will be very positive for 2010. Head injury is a possibility for you so be careful especially in the Autumn.

In relationships, the Rabbit for the year of the Tiger is a Peach Blossom star which means there could be signs of unwanted romance in your life. Don’t allow a third party to ruin your marriage. If you are single, there are plenty of opportunities for you so be patient and scope out all the possibilities before diving into a relationship.

Dragon – 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928

The Dragon is seen as one of the most powerful and lucky animals in the Chinese Zodiac. It is proud, courageous and charismatic. The dragon also possesses many talents and they are intelligent. The dragon can influence others with their ideas and advice but they do not like to listen to anyone else but themselves. They can achieve a considerable amount if they put their mind to it but their main objective is power.

This is an average year for you. The Tiger is the travel star of the Dragon, so expect a bit of travelling and movement. Whatever you do, you must be very very careful. Be more meticulous in your work. If you run a business, there are potentials for lawsuits in business dealings. Re-read and review your documents before signing them. In terms of money and work, Dragons could face heavy losses in financial matters. Donating would be one way to ward of the bad energy. Do not make hasty decisions at work or in business and avoid major investments.

Health is not favorable for you this year. Rest early and see a doctor immediately if there is anything wrong. Exercise regularly and avoid beef, mutton, and pork. Beware of the lunar month of the Dog which is between October 8th and November 5th. There is a high possibility for those born in the year of the dragon to come down with the flu.

Regarding relationships, if you are single and suddenly encounter some romance, it will not last unless you change your own behavior. Lower your temper and avoid being jealous. There are opportunities in the month of the Rooster, between September 8th and October 7th for you to meet more people and make new friends.

Snake – 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929

The Snake is very smart, popular, and slick. They are sometimes perceived as lazy. The snake usually wait until the situation presents itself before they strike. They are very determined in their work and they work very hard until the job is done. Snakes also use their gut instincts when making important decisions. The snake is usually a very cautious animal.

This is a mixed year for you and it depends on whether you also have a Monkey in your chart. You have to be careful if you have a Monkey in your chart because it will result in the “triple punishment” or “triple penalty” which combines with the Tiger. Bickering, lawsuits, legal issues, and backstabbing will be experienced.

Things should be smooth as long as the Monkey is avoided. One way of verifying whether the Tiger would do any harm to you this year is to see what happened in 1998. That was also the year of the Tiger. If nothing dramatic happened to you that year, you should have a very smooth year. There will be big achievements and you should avoid changing jobs. Money luck should come from career or even from random investments. Stick with blue chip stocks or mutual funds if you decide to invest. Avoid high risk penny stocks. There is a guide star for you where women will come to assist you if you are in need of it.

There are possibilities of robberies, thefts or car accidents. Try to get away in the month of November if you can. Travelling, donating to charity, and volunteering in November is advised.

In terms of health, it may not be as good for you. There is a tendency to catch a flu or cold. Take your vitamins. Mid-August to Mid September is the month for you to be careful. Travelling or getting away during that month is the best way to avoid problems.

Regarding relationships, guard yourself against false relationships if you are single this year. For those who are single, there are greater opportunities for you in between mid-June and mid-July.

Horse – 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930

The Horse is full of energy and they need a lot of space to run around. They are not the type that would sit down in a 9-5 job. The horse fears being trapped in any circumstances whether it is at work or at home. They are constantly on the move and it can result in impatience on their part. On the other hand, they are fast thinkers and can make quick decisions.

This would be good for you. The Horse is friends with the Tiger. For those who are born in the Year of the Tiger, you might be wise to stick with the Horse. The Horse is part of a Fire Alliance/Trio with the Tiger and the Dog. There may be some obstacles at work so your are advised to be mindful of what you do and go with the flow of the events. Don’t fight the tape and argue with your boss. Follow the flow is the best way to label the Horse as it wants to follow the “fire flow”.

For money, luck through good fortune should surround you and investments in high risk stocks can reap huge rewards for you. Just ensure that fire is favorable to your chart. Just because you’re born in the year of the Horse, it doesn’t mean that you’ll all get rich through high risk investments.

Health is generally good for you, however, avoid water sports or going to snowy places. There will be danger with water. If your chart enjoys a fire flow, it is better to go with the flow. Using water to fight the fire will result in mishaps. Be aware of your health especially in the month of December.

In relationship matters, if you are married or dating someone, you should be able enjoy a nice period of happiness. On the other hand, if you are single, it may take awhile for you to meet the right partner. Opportunities do exist between mid-March and mid-April.

Goat – 2003. 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931

Goats are creative and intuitive and they would make good artisans or teachers. They can be overly sensitive and insecure. Goats need a lot of support from their friends and families because of their insecurity. They are day dreamers and are more comfortable being alone when they are thinking.

It will be a good year for you. There is a star that enters your life called the “Tian Xi”, meaning that you’ll be attending good and happy events this year. This could come in the form of a marriage or some sort of a ceremony. This year will definitely be smoother than last year. The year of the Ox must have been trying at times since it clashed with the Goat. If you ran into a slew of bad luck last year, don’t despair because this year will be much more stable as the negative energy of the Ox dissipates.

You might find it difficult to save money this year and it may be an important issue to you. In terms of work, it is a year of stability for you so don’t expect major changes.

Your health is not so favorable for this year but it is definitely better than last year. If you are married, be mindful of your emotions and watch how they can cause quarrels. If you are single, there will be romance but it can result in arguments with your parents.

Monkey – 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932

The Monkey is energetic, charming and optimistic. They are also adventurous and crave for new ideas and activities. The monkey is very straight forward and cannot hide their feelings. They enjoy showing off their creativity and charm to their friends. If there is one word to describe monkeys, ‘fun’ is the word.

Those born in the year of the Monkey will experience difficulties this year. Why? Because the Monkey clashes energetically with the Tiger. Tips for those born in the year of the Monkey: 1. Avoid attending funerals and weddings. 2. When faced with arguments, it is better to let go than to force your way through them. The Tiger is your travel star so expect a lot of travelling for this year.

Try to carry a Dragon or a Rat figurine as it will prevent the Tiger from attacking the monkey. Hang out with people born in the year of the Rat or Dragon.

It is better to invest overseas if possible. There will be gossips about you at work. Just stay low and you’ll be fine.

Regarding health, it is better to get more sleep and exercise. The head and neck area may be vulnerable.

There will be arguments if you are in a relationship. If you are single, it is better for you to tread carefully. Of course, if you meet a Rat or a Dragon, that’s a different story as they will help you ward of a clash with the Tiger.

Rooster – 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933

Roosters are observers and they are meticulous in everything that they do. Their perfectionist nature can annoy the people around them. They love to be the center of attention. The rooster can be loyal and trustworthy friends. Think about it, the rooster screams early in the morning at the same time, they are a timely and trustworthy animal, but on the flip side, they could be annoying at times. The main characteristic of the rooster is their great attention to details, therefore, these people would thrive in work requiring great precision and accuracy.

This is a good year for you. There are positive/lucky stars and there are also some bad ones. Fortunately, most roosters are optimistic, hence, they will be able to clear hurdles much easily than others. If you are working, be aware of hidden enemies at work. Try not to engage in any long discussions at work because it can turn into a heated debate.

In terms of health, you may catch a flu early in the year especially in the month of the Rabbit, that is between March 16-April 13. Take care of the lungs with morning exercises because it will be more vulnerable. This is not a good year for you to change jobs. The Tiger is the Guard star for the Rooster, therefore, you should be well protected from any negative incidents.

Family members will be harmonious towards you.

Dog – 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934

Dogs are wonderful and loyal friends to have around. They can become stubborn and emotionally unstable at times. Dogs can make great business people since they have the ability to discern the true motives of others. They are serious and intelligent and they commit to noble causes. Dogs are constantly working to make the world a better place.

For Dogs, this is a good year for you as the Dog is friends with the Tiger. Those who are working should not encounter problems in the workplace. If you are looking for a career change or if you notice good job openings, you should go for it. Even though it is a good year for Dogs, those in business have to be careful of lawsuits and business deals.

Health wise, you may overwork yourself on the job so make sure you rest up! Health issues for you would stem from backaches and stomach troubles.

Relationship should be smooth for those who are married or in a relationship. For those who are single, your lucky break to meet someone comes in between mid-March and mid-April.

Pig – 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935

Pigs are generous and honorable. They make great friends because of their refusal to see the negative side of people. Pigs care about their friends and family and work hard to ensure that everyone in their life is happy. They are constantly working hard to improve themselves and others.

Pigs will enjoy an excellent year. It is going to be fantastic for you both in your career and wealth. However, the pig has to be humble at all times or others may become jealous of you and that may lead to problems. You can consider using spare money to invest in stocks or just simply save them for future use. Health should also be exceptional.

In terms of relationships, things should go smoothly for those who are in a relationship. On the other hand, if you are single, you have plenty of opportunities to meet new friends especially in December.

Watching last night’s last episode of the series ‘Tigers About The House’, it was not difficult to understand why there was such an emotional bond formed between tiger mad zoo keeper, Giles, and his two tiger cubs, Spot & Stripe.

Because of illegal poaching, there are currently only around 500 Sumatran tigers left in the wild on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. There is a distinct chance that these truly magnificent cats could be extinct by as soon as 2025!

All Sumatran tigers bred in captivity have descended from the same 14 parents and there’s a limit to how often those descendants can interbreed without health implications.

There are many arguments and counter arguments about these breeding programmes and about keeping big cats like tigers in zoos, however, without the incredibly selfless work that is being conducted and achieved by totally committed conservationists like Giles Clark, the likelihood of total extinction within a very short time frame due to man’s incessant greed and stupidity are a clear certainty.

In the famous ‘Jungle Book’, Rudyard Kipling acknowledged the undisputed status of the mighty Bengal tiger by introducing Shere Khan as the King of the Beasts.

Although the cat family includes many impressive and attractive animals, there is an aura of power and majesty about the tiger. Observing a male tiger patrolling his territory in an Indian Reserve is like watching an unchallenged ruler strolling through his domain.

Unfortunately for the tiger, being the top predator was no protection against the activities of man, and as in Sumatra, the tiger in India has suffered from a combination of habitat destruction and hunting pressures which have reduced the Indian population from an estimated 40,000 to less than 1500 before the conservation initiative known as “Project Tiger” sought to halt this rapid decline by the establishment of numerous tiger reserves throughout India, with Bandhavgarh being one of the best places in India to see the mighty Bengal tiger, one of the most stunning, handsome, and awe-inspiring creatures on earth.

Bandhavgarh is famed for having a high percentage of tiger sightings, despite the relatively small area of the reserve. Teeming with fascinating reptiles and some wonderful bird life including bee-eaters, egrets, kites and storks, the reserve has so much to offer the wildlife enthusiast.

Historically speaking, Bandhavgarh is extremely important. Home to a large, elegant fort that sits high on one of the hills in the centre of the reserve, Bandhavgarh is the site of many a legend. The fort is believed to be over two thousand years old and is thought to have been a gift from Lord Rama to his brother, Lord Lakshmana. The fort is a great place to watch the evening sun sink low in the sky over the park’s lake and the views from the top are breath taking

A huge range of flora and fauna inhabits these wildlife reserves in India, and visitors have plenty to keep themselves occupied even when the tiger is proving a little elusive. The wild dog, sambar deer, spotted deer, wolf, and sloth bear offer frequent sightings and if you are very lucky you may even see a leopard lurking in the dense protection of the forest. In order to have the best chance of spotting a tiger, travel into the jungle on two game drives every day and make the most of every minute spent in this incredible wildlife haven.

It is hard to believe that game reserves were originally established to protect the animals from rogue poachers, saving them only for official poaching by the influential maharajas of the day. In the time of the Raj, hundreds of tigers were shot and the more tiger trophies a maharaja received, the higher the esteem in which he was held.

Hunting is now very much a thing of the past and the reserves are positively protecting the environment of all of the animals that make up the ecosystem within them.

If it has long been a dream to spot a tiger, travel to one of India’s game reserves for the best opportunity. The reserves offer the whole unforgettable experience including exciting game viewing, wonderful scenery, and fantastic hospitality.

The park of Bandhavgarh – covering one hundred and five square kilometres – is only one of the many reserves dedicated to protecting the tiger. Whichever one you choose, your Indian wildlife adventure will be one to remember.

Tigers are among the most iconic creatures in the world. They are the largest cat species alive on earth till date. This untamed Hunter weighs up to 670lb (306 kg) and has a total body length of 11 ft (3.3 m). In the past century, the Tigers were cornered to leave their area of habitat, and over 93% of their species were destroyed. At the beginning of the 20th century, the global population in the wild was around 100,000. After a gradual decline in the population due to destruction and fragmentation of their habitat, now it is estimated to be between 3,062 and 3,948 individuals.

Here are ten interesting and unusual facts about the tiger (belonging to the Panthera family):

1. Tigers’ pee smells like popcorn

Tigers’ are territorial animals leading a solitary life. A tigress has a territory of 20 km (7.7 sq. Miles), while the male covers around 60 to 100 km (23 to 39 sq. Miles). To mark their territories beginning and end, the adults scratch a tree and spray their urine which smells like buttered popcorn! From this scent, a tiger can identify the urine’s owner.

2. Tigers can’t purr

Tigers, basically belong from the cat family. But, do they purr?? No, they don’t. When a tiger is happy, they either squint or close their eyes completely. They do this only when they feel comfortable and safe as losing vision lowers tigers defenses.

3. Tigers can imitate other animals to attract their prey

Bears and tigers typically cross paths with each other since their habitats overlap. To lure a bear, tigers mimic the sound of a bears’ prey. As the bear approaches thinking it has found a meal for itself, the tiger attacks. (that’s scary!)

4. All Tigers have yellow eyes, except the white ones, have blue eyes

The gene for blue eyes and white fur is linked together, so white tigers are likely to have blue eyes than yellow. Besides, the gene of blue eyes and cross-eyes are connected, so white tigers have cross blue-eyes.

5. Tiger have spiked penises

Tigers’ penis is unable to become erect when aroused! As Male penises’ have a baculum (a bone located inside) covered with barbs. The prickly bone, aid in “keeping the connection” between male and female during copulation.

6. Tiger backhand can kill you

Tigers use their 10 cm long teeth to crush a victims’ throat! A single strike is enough to cause severe damage. Tigers front paw is robust enough to–either smash a Bears’ skull or breaks its back. (lovely!)

7. Tiger comes in variety of colors

Due to the difference in genes of hair color of a tiger, its color may vary from its usual black and orange colouration. A tigers coat can be white, gold, black and even blue. The blue tigers are called as Maltese tigers, but there is no evidence that a tiger with such a unique colouration even existed!

8. Tiger have short term memories

Tigers have a short term memory of about 30 times longer than humans. That means they can remember a thing for a longer time and do not forget as quickly as we do.(Isn’t that great?)

9. Tiger have symbols hidden in their fur

The forehead of a tiger consists grouping of stripes that bears a striking similarity to the Chinese character meaning “king.” It gave the tiger a cultural status as a majestic animal-move over lions!

10. Tiger mate with lions and other cats to produce hybrids

According to genetic research, male lions have the ability to make large off-springs whereas female lions create smaller offspring. When a male lion has a sexual encounter with a female tiger, the result is a huge liger! A liger can weigh up to 1000 lbs and reach a length of 11.5ft! A female lion and a male tiger will produce a smaller Tigon, and they weigh around 180 kg (400 lbs).

It was a clear and crisp morning of Corbett National Park – one of the most vivid and rich national parks of India, well known for its tigers. After a previous day’s torrential rain, the climate had become very pleasant and the animals were out on their feeding spree. Riding on the elephant-back, crossing the perennial Ramganga River, which traverses the park; a feeling of awe and excitement engulfs.

Suddenly all things in the area seemed petrified. The atmosphere became charged – the herds of spotted deer started giving alarming calls. The mahout of the elephant cautioned in low whisper. The jungle king was on the prowl. Lo! A big tiger was sighted, barely few feet away. The magnificent and majestic beast, whose angry growl is enough to make anyone fix was right in front, making a gesture to charge. He did, but failed and then sat for quite some time, growling and whipping its tail. We observed the nature’s marvel with admiration…

These majestic animals are now fighting desperately for their survival. Their number is declining fast. Paradoxically, they are the most talked about but equally are in most danger. Long ago tiger roared from eastern Turkey to Russian Far East up to Siberia and into Bali. With the passage of time the Bali, Java and Caspian tigers became extinct. Their number is fast declining in India too and the days are not far off when they might be wiped out eternally. The coming generation might see them in their textbook drawings and photographs only. The main culprit – illicit killing, has brought the number of tigers from 3455 in 1997 to 1411 at present. A recently released tiger census report by National Tiger Conservation Authority states the numbers of tigers in India are ranging from 1165 to 1657 (An average of 1411). According to the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), in the year 2009 thirty two tigers lost their lives in favor of greed and lust of the poachers. Despite that the tiger (Panthera tigris) is a protected animal by law and killing this animal attracts fine and imprisonment under the provisions of The Wildlife (protection) Act, 1975 such reports indicate the rampant killing.

The growing demand of tiger parts in manufacturing the so-called valor medicines, and their skin hides have significantly contributed to the poaching of tigers. Huge amount of money per year is involved in illegal trade of wild-life products. Though the exact amount of money involved in illicit trade of tiger parts is not possible to obtain, the amount of confiscation, seizures and arrests of poachers, are indicative of the magnitude. India is still the residence of these magnificent animals, ironically, for tiger parts most of the demand comes from outside the country. Tiger is generally poached by the local tribal either by poisoning, iron trapping or electrocuting them. These tribal are lured by the greedy middlemen.

India has witnessed population explosion. To provide better future to the citizens various developmental projects started. Need for establishing heavy industry, hydro-electric power plants and housing colonies requires land. This has put up tremendous pressure on the natural wealth including forests, lakes, rivers and grasslands. More and more land is required for tilling and housing to fulfill the needs of ever-increasing human population. The agricultural land and villages in the vicinity of cities are being used for housing purposes whereas more and more grasslands, forests and woodlands are being cleared for agricultural purposes. The shrinking forest cover, thus, has forced wild animals to come out in open; creating man-animal conflicts for obvious reasons. This has made the poaching even more easy – done under the disguise of saving life, livestock and property of the humans.

The terai belt of Uttar Pradesh, previously well known for its rice production, has witnessed a major shift in their crop growing pattern. Establishment of some sugar mills and the promotion for more sugarcane production to fulfill the needs of these mills has contributed significantly in this crop shifting. Large forest areas have been surreptitiously cleared and encroached to sow cash crops like sugarcane. The shrinkage of the natural habitat has pushed wild herbivores – a staple food of tiger, towards the fringe areas and to these sugarcane fields. These in turn, pull the tigers outside jungle. Unable to differentiate between grasslands and sugarcane fields they thus enter the sugarcane fields. Finding these cane fields safe, they stay there. These so-called “Cane-tigers” become a threat to the life, property and the livestock of the villagers. These tigers, finding them their easy prey, often kill domestic animals or sometimes even humans, and cause panic. Such animals are surely a danger to the people living in the vicinity of these areas. The result is – so many tigers were poisoned by villagers (read poachers). Many tiger deaths have been reported thus.

Decline in number of tigers has a genetic fall out as well, and in turn is harmful to them. Fast declining population give rise to small and isolated populations making them prone to natural disasters. Conflagrations, hurricanes and epidemic may cause them to give up the ghost en mass. Moreover, they give rise to fewer potential breeding population in a given tiger population and to even lesser number of potential breeding individual. This results in excessive inbreeding which has its own ill effects. The lethal gene, if present and is recessive – not manifesting; can become potentially dangerous. This ‘forced inbreeding’ can cause havoc to the population. Alarmed and concerned by the fast declining tiger population in the country the Government of India headed by the then Prime-minister late Mrs. Indira Gandhi, launched Project Tiger in April 1973. The objective of the project was “to ensure maintenance of a viable population of Tigers in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values, and to preserve for all times, areas of biological importance as a national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people”. Since its inception 28 tiger reserves in seventeen states have been created. This helped substantially in evoking public response.

The woodlands, wetlands, forests, grasslands and the animals inhabiting them are the linchpin of ecosystem. Above and beyond adding aura, color and drama; being at the top of the food chain, tigers contribute appreciably in maintaining the harmony and ecological balance. They are the national heritage; However, those were the time when these magnificent wild beasts, especially the big cats were killed heartlessly in the name of game and hunting. Well-known naturalist and hunter Jim Corbett, who shot many man-eaters and after whom one of the famous wild life park of India has been named (Corbett National Park), later hanged his gun in favor of these creatures. Shooting of tigers and other wild animals with camera – not with a gun is far more rewarding. Indeed, a trophy enchants only a select few who possess them but a good photograph enchant and educate many people. This, not only save these wonderful animals, but the heritage and eco-balance too and in turn to the planet earth as well.

As the last king of the Shang dynasty (1600 B.C.-1046 B.C.), King Zhou was on the throne for 52 years with Zi as his surname and Dixin as his posthumous title, and he was called King Zhou (meaning a cruel king) by King Wu (the founder of the Zhou dynasty). King Zhou chose Mo as the capital and renamed it to Chaoge (present Qi County in Henan Province) later.

The legend went as that the eldest son of King Diyi (father of King Zhou), Qi, was supposed to take the throne after the death of King Diyi, but he was deposed owing to the low social status of his mother, so Dixin (the second elder son of King Diyi) ascended to the throne, who was known to the world as King Zhou. It was recorded in Xunzi (the book written by the famous philosopher, Xun Zi) that: “He (Dixin) is very handsome and outstanding, who can rival a hundred soldiers in war”. In the Book of History written by Sima Qian from the Western Han dynasty (206-25) recorded that: “He (Dixin) is very smart and charming, who can fight against a tiger with bare hands.”

Great importance was attached to the agriculture industry by King Zhou after his ascending the throne, which substantially stimulated the development in the social productive force and made the Shang Kingdom more powerful.

He was rather warlike, and he launched wars to aliens from the east and continued to expand his territory in Central China, extending his power beyond the Yangtze River area, and his victory over Xu Yi in war laid a good foundation for his influence on Shandong Province, Anhui Province, Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province and Fujian Province, guaranteeing the safety of the Shang dynasty. Chairman Mao appraised him as that: “He (Dixin) is a very capable king who was well versed in both polite letters and martial arts, linking the Central China and the Southeast China through wars, and he contributed a lot to the infusion among different ethnic groups of China.” The advanced manufacturing technology and culture were transmitted to the uncivilized Southeast China after King Zhou’s great unification, which greatly promoted the social progress and the economic development in this area.

He felt smug with his past achievements in his late reign, pumping millions of money to build the vast Deer Paradise, luxurious wine pools and magnificent palaces and living a magnificent way of life, which resulted in an empty nation’s coffer. What was even worse, he was too opinionated to listen to anyone else, killing Bi Gan (the Chancellor and the uncle of Emperor Zhou), imprisoning Ji Zi and suppressing the commoners with tortures. When King Zhou sent troop to suppress the aliens from the east again, he took no measures to guard against the aliens from the west, and King Wu of the Zhou dynasty (770 B.C.-221 B.C.) took this opportunity to attack the Shang army by allying another 11 smaller kingdoms in 1046 B.C., defeating him in Muye Battle. King Zhou committed suicide in the Deer Paradise, symbolizing the fall of the Shang dynasty.

Tigers represent various characteristics – virility, strength, power, arrogance, pride, passion and royalty amongst others. Tigers symbolize various things across cultures. But mainly, tigers have an important role to play in Indian, Chinese and Japanese cultures. Since tigers are such majestic animals, they are one of the top animals people wish to get tattooed on with.

Tigers in Indian Culture

They are found in the Indian subcontinent and are now an endangered species. Indians believe some of their gods used the tiger to travel on from place to place. It is a revered animal and is even considered India’s national animal. People who opt to get tiger tattoos in India hope to get some of their majesty and ferocity into themselves.

Tigers in Vietnam Culture

They were feared a lot in Vietnam and many villages had temples for Tigers as they were considered holy there. Tigers raided the villages and the Vietnamese believe that by worshiping the creature, they could save their village from its wrath. Tiger tattoos in Vietnam are used to ward off evil spirits and represent strength of character.

Tigers in Chinese Culture

Chinese believe the tiger to be the king of all animals, not the lion. Its represent the yang side of things and are associated with powerful energy. They also believe that the it is the protector of the dead, and often tigers are tattooed onto tombstones as well as a symbol that their soul will rest in peace now. Tiger tattoos in Chinese culture represent prosperity, reverence, power, energy, protection, generosity and illumination. Chinese myths say that there are five types of tigers that balance the energy in the cosmos and prevent utter chaos in the universe, these are:

• Black Tiger – Governs the water elements of nature and rules during the winter season.
• Blue Tiger – Governs the earth elements of nature and rules during the spring season.
• Red Tiger – Governs the fire elements of nature and rules during the summer season.
• White Tiger – Governs the metal elements of nature and rules during the fall season.
• Yellow Tiger – Rules all the above tigers and is symbolic of the sun.

Tigers in Japanese Culture

Even though they are rarely found in Japan, they play a very important role in Japanese arts. Tiger tattoos represent different things in the different ages of Japanese culture. They gained dominance in the Edo period of Japan, where the Japanese men were struggling to form a name for them. Since Japanese artists dint have exact sightings of tigers, their art can be very abstract and unique. In Japan, they represent dominance, aggression or goal orientation.