The Indian scientific community has a point, because poaching of tigers (and other endangered species) in India is on the rise. For example, the Wildlife Protection Society of India's quarterly report, released late last month, says 28 tigers were killed by poachers in the first three months of this year, compared with 25 in the whole of last year. The total number of tiger deaths in the forests of India is much higher, though, 58, in three months

No doubt, the efforts of the Indian government and conservationists are the reason for the high number of tigers in India. But the future of tigers still looks bleak because of the continuing loss of habitats thanks to deforestation, mining and industrialization, and poachers and the "thriving" market for tiger parts that fuels poaching.

The tiger, by being on top of the food chain, plays a key role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. These ecosystems supply both nature and people with fresh water, food, and health. That is to say, by saving tigers, we will help people too.

Tigers also help maintain biodiversity. For instance, just one tiger can help protect biodiversity in about 25,000 acres of forest. And maintaining biodiversity directly benefits many other important species like elephants, rhinos, black bears and deer, to name just a few.

But the rate at which tigers are being killed and their habitats destroyed, our forests could soon be devoid of them. And the generation next may learn about these magnificent cats just from remembrance of things past.

Which reminds one of Joni Mitchell's Big YellowTaxi: They took all the trees/And put them in a tree museum/Then they charged the people/A dollar and a half just to see 'em. Only that the tigers in the museum would be the works of art of taxidermists.

The author is a senior editor with China Daily. oprana@hotmail.com