Tigers occupy the pinnacle of the food chain
and a healthy tiger population is an indicator of the well being of the whole
forest.
Throughout evolution, predators have had a regulatory influence on the population
sizes of other species; it is thanks to carnivores, such as tigers, that the
number of herbivores is kept in check.
In turn, the populations can therefore only fluctuate between certain limits
because of this "feedback mechanism". With the number of herbivores
under control, but not depleted, the forest vegetation is likely to thrive provided
humans do not over exploit it.
Seeds will be dispersed by new growth will not be prevented by excessive grazing
pressure. Healthy vegetation protects the rainwater and safeguards the water
table.
Many forest are important catchments areas for rivers, upon which many species,
including human beings, depend.
Species at the top of the food chain are generally larger and require more space
than other animals, particularly if they are territorial.
Conserving such species in the wild protects the habitat of many other animals,
as well as safeguarding the essential ecological processes such as water and
nutrient cycling.
Thus the tiger as the guardian of many other creatures.