The Maharashtra government is clearly taking its bid to protect tigers very seriously. So much so that it has solicited the help of two bigwigs – Sachin Tendulkar and Amitabh Bachchan to help out in any which way they can.
The two haven’t responded to the bid yet, though. Here’s how it happened.
In two long letters, State Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has urged the celebrities to contribute to the cause of “awareness regarding conservation and protection of the endangered species as well as boost Tiger tourism” – according to a report carried by The Hindu. Mungantiwar said he’d written to the two on World Tiger Day – July 29 – requesting them to participate in the programme.
We have not received any reply. Very soon I shall meet them and solicit their cooperation.
– Mungantiwar told IANS
“We Will Not Pay Tendulkar and Bachchan”
The Maharashtra government has sought their participation as ambassadors of tiger conservation. (Maharashtra has six tiger reserves.) When asked about what kind of remuneration would be paid to the two bigshots for their role, DNA quoted Mungantiwar as saying:
We will not pay them anything. We expect them to be involved without monetary considerations. So far, both have not replied to the state’s request....The forest department alone cannot do everything to protect and conserve the tiger. Public participation is needed to do it and hence we have decided to appoint brand ambassadors to promote the ‘Save Tiger’ campaign.
Bachchan Hailed for Mr Natwarlal, Tendulkar for Being a “Tiger”
Mr Bachchan was called upon, in Mungantiwar’s letter, to act as he had in his famous movie Mr Natwarlal – where Bachchan had warded off a tiger. According to The Hindu, the letter to him went something like this:
The fight here is different though. From reel life to real now we now seek your assistance. Considering your stature and following amongst all sections of society, any appeal made by you to get support of the people in the task of saving the tiger will certainly go a long way in helping us in protecting the species.
Sachin Tendulkar meanwhile, as the report went on to detail, was hailed in Mungantiwar’s letter by several adjectives – Maharashtra’s Bhoomi Putra (son of the soil), a tiger and and as the god of cricket.
One hopes the duo – so influential in their own fields and beyond – will step up to the pitch and lend the much-needed helping hand.
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