Sansad TV Perspective: Saving the Tiger

In the series Sansad TV Perspective, we bring you an analysis of the discussion featured on the insightful programme ‘Perspective’ on Sansad TV, on various important topics affecting India and also the world. This analysis will help you immensely for the IAS exam, especially the mains exam, where a well-rounded understanding of topics is a prerequisite for writing answers that fetch good marks.

In this article, we feature the discussion on the topic: Saving the Tiger

Anchor: Vishal Dahiya

Participants:

1. Dr S. P. Yadav, ADGF, Project Tiger & Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
2. Ashwika Kapur, Science Communicator and Filmmaker
3. Ashok Pal, Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Uttarakhand

Context:

The continuous progress made by human beings has impacted various ecosystems to the extent of an alarming present hour wherein the realization of conserving the ecosystem became a context of essence engaging Governments, International Organizations, environmentalists and other stakeholders. A major concern is surrounding tiger conservation in India as it has been reported that there is a sharp decline in the number of tigers in 2021. This issue requires enormous attention by experts with the key objective of protecting the tigers of the country from the implications of anthropogenic factors and natural calamities. 

Why do we need to conserve the tiger?

• Tigers act as keystone species that help the ecosystem to survive and require large interconnected territories to avail adequate prey. 
• They play a vital role in the health and diversity of an ecosystem positioned at the apex of the food chain. 
• The entire balance between the vegetation and the herbivores in an ecosystem is maintained by the tigers as they feed on the herbivores. 
• Therefore, the presence of tigers in the forest indicates a healthy ecosystem and their extinction would lead to the collapse of the entire ecosystem. 

Read about Tiger Conservation in the linked article.

Image source: World Wildlife Fund

Present Scenario: 

• At present, India has 75% of the tiger population and its source areas amongst the 13 tiger range countries in the world.
• 2.24% of the country’s geographical area is spread out in 51 tiger reserves in 18 states.
• The 19th meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was conducted to formulate an action plan for the introduction of the Cheetah in India and strengthen tiger conservation. 
• The action plan that was discussed in the meeting emphasized the introduction of 50 Cheetahs in various parks in 5 years. 
• Major concerns surrounded the endangered status of tigers and the situation demands active management to conserve the tiger species. 
• The experts await the 5th cycle of All India Tiger Estimation which is at present underway and will guide policy decisions.
• There are 51 tiger reserves in the country and efforts are made to expand the network as 35 rivers originate from these areas, it becomes crucial in terms of water security. 
• Poaching activities in the northeastern states, excessive visits to core areas of the reserves by the tourists are some major challenges that need to be addressed and regulated. 
• 14 tiger reserves have been accredited under CA|TS (Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards) categories. The  CA|TS is a set of criteria that examines the management of tiger sites to gauge the success rates of tiger conservation. 
• A water atlas has been launched to map the water bodies in the tiger bearing areas of India. Landscape-wise information has been outlined which includes the Shivalik hills, Gangetic plains, Central Indian landscape, North Eastern Hills, Brahmaputra flood plains, Sundarbans, Eastern and Western Ghats. 

About CA|TS:

• This has been a tiger reserve accreditation tool developed by the global coalition of Tiger Range Countries (TRC) including the inputs of the tiger and protected area experts. 
• There are 13 Tiger Range Countries such as India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam. 
• The Global Tiger Forum (an NGO working on tiger conservation) and the World Wide Fund are the two implementing partners of NTCA for CA|TS assessment in India. 
• Tiger Reserves with CA|TS accreditation include: 
  • Manas, Kaziranga and Orang Tiger Reserves in Assam
  • Satpura, Kanha and Panna Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh
  • Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra
  • Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar
  • Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh
  • Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in West Bengal
  • Parambikulam Tiger Reserve in Kerala
  • Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka
  • Mudumalai and Anamalai Tiger Reserves in Tamil Nadu

Conserving the Tiger: Ways Suggested

• The Forest Department and the Central government can collaborate to protect the natural corridors to ensure the free movement of the tigers for better food resources. This would reduce the territorial conflicts among the tigers. 
• The State governments must financially assist the Forest and Wildlife departments to facilitate the usage of better technologies and medical support, arms and ammunition, camera traps and better surveillance vehicles that serve the interest of protecting the tigers. 
• Patrolling activities by the staff of the forest department especially in the core areas must increase along with the setting up of check posts to secure the territories for the tigers.
• Relocation of the villages outside the core areas of the forests accompanied by making the villagers aware of conservation and provision of alternative livelihood opportunities can help in the reduction of man-animal conflicts. 
• Campaigns such as ‘Save the Tiger’ are recommended as effective measures to make people across the country and globe aware of the significance of conserving tiger species. 
• Besides, the IUCN Tiger Programme has been extended till 2023 which was launched in 2014 as a strategic funding mechanism to save tigers in the wild, their habitats and to support human populations in key locations across Asia. This programme is supported by German Cooperation and the German Development Bank. More such programmes with active participation by the stakeholders and governments are needed for the conservation of the versatile big cat population.

Read more summaries of Perspective in the link.

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