Tiger Conservation in India

In July 2020, the Ministry of Environment released the Tiger Census Report on the eve of Global Tiger Day (29th July). India has 70 percent of the world’s tiger population. It has been announced that Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS) framework will be extended to all 50 Tiger Reserves of India.

As per the 4th All India Tiger Estimation (AITE), there are 3,167 tigers in India. Get more details on its conservation and check the tiger reserves in India map for quick revision for UPSC 2023.

Tiger Conservation Latest News

The tiger population “part report” was published to mark the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger in April. Read more on this development in the link here.

RSTV – Big Picture: Importance of Tiger Conservation – Aspirants can check the linked article to get more points on the topic from Rajya Sabha TV discussion (Aug 2020).

Table of contents:

Tiger is the National Animal of India and also has a significant position in Indian culture.  Tiger usually symbolizes Power and enormous Energy.

Some interesting facts related to Tigers in India:

1. Nagpur is also known as the ‘Tiger Capital’ of India 
2. There are 13 tiger reserves in Vidharbha (including the Nagpur division of eastern) alone.
3. The national parks around Nagpur include Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary, Pench National Park, Nagzira-Navegaon Tiger Reserve, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Melghat Tiger Reserve, and Bor Tiger Reserve.
4. The Climatic condition of this forested region is very appropriate for tiger conservation.
5. First white tiger sanctuary – Madhya Pradesh (The maiden ‘White Tiger Safari’ was inaugurated in 2016.)
6. Tiger IUCN Status – Endangered

Get more interesting facts about the National Animal of India in the linked article.

The list of tiger reserves in India is given below:

Tiger Conservation in India Notes:- Download PDF Here

Recently, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has agreed to the formation of four new tiger reserves in:

1. Sunabeda (Odisha),
2. Ratapani (Madhya Pradesh)
3. Orang (Assam)
4. Guru Ghasidas (Chhattisgarh)

The respective state governments have been directed to send the proposal for announcing Suhelwa(Uttar Pradesh), Cauvery MM Hills (Karnataka), Mhadei(Goa), Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Tamil Nadu) and Dibang (Arunachal Pradesh) as tiger reserves.

Critical Tiger Habitat

The Critical Tiger Habitats (CTHs) as per Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, are core areas of the tiger reserves meant to be “kept inviolate for the purpose of tiger conservation.” For recognition of critical tiger habitat, an expert committee is constituted and the final decision is notified by the state government.

In Forest Rights Act, 2006, there is a mention of ‘Critical Wildlife Habitats’ which are part of reserves and sanctuaries meant to be kept inviolate for wildlife conservation (not just tigers). In the case of Critical Wildlife Habitats, Gram Sabhas and affected stakeholders have to give consent for the notification.

The Tigers are seen largely in the tropical forests of Asia. The recent reports generated by different international organizations show the tiger population is decreasing. According to the IUCN Red list, the tiger is listed as an endangered animal. The major threat faced by this species are Poaching, destruction of habitat, insufficient prey, etc. the tigers are killed for skins, bones, and meat.

The list of major threats to the Tiger Population are:

1. Man- animal conflict
2. Hunting, poaching and illegal trade
3. Habitat and loss of prey species

Man-animal conflict

Due to anthropogenic activities, the tiger population has lost its habitat. The loss of habitat resulted in the reduction of their prey species. They started coming out of the forest and come to the village in search of prey.

Tiger those who came in search of its prey they attacked domestic animals, and human beings. In vengeance, tigers are often killed by angry human beings.

Read in detail about Human-Wildlife Conflict from the linked article.

Hunting, illegal trade and poaching

Hunting of tigers is a huge issue faced by the tiger population from ancient times. Hunting stands as a symbol of status. The people used the bones, teeth of the tiger for commercial purposes which can also be named as illegal trade.

The body parts are used for medicinal purposes also. This has caused the utmost decline in tiger populations since 1930. Poaching is the next threat to the leftover tiger population.

Anthropogenic Activities

The anthropogenic destructive activities that have caused the devastation of habitat and prey species are the main long-term threats to the continuation of the declining tiger population in the country.

Man and animals compete for finding their habitat. Tigers need large territories. Along with the habitat, tigers have also experienced a severe loss of prey species populations such as antelopes and deer.

The man has acquired the forest land for human settlements and industrial activities. This has ultimately resulted in complete destruction of animal habitats.

The same affected the climatic condition, harmony, and poses a threat to the existence of human beings. The Ken-Betwa River interlinking project which intends to irrigate the drought-hit Bundelkhand region is also a reason for the declining Tiger population in India. According to the wildlife experts, the Panna Tiger Reserve which is located near this place will have a greater impact due to the project.

Recent years have seen a rise in the population of wild lions and tigers in India. The government has initiated many programs related to the conservation of the Tiger population in the country.

According to the World Wildlife Fund and the Global Tiger Forum, the figure of wild tigers has gone up to 3,890 which earlier was 3200.

The wildlife policy of India embraces conservation and protection through the provision of national parks and sanctuaries. This has assisted their sustainable growth and a drastic declining man-animal conflict. A proactive judiciary has shaped a well-built restriction against poachers.

India is now home to 70% of the total Global Tiger Population. The various strategies that are planned for implementation include:

• Tiger reintroduction
• Landscape conservation, and habitat management
• Scrutinizing protocols, strategies for anti-poaching
• Resource Mobilization, and
• Modern equipment and technology for monitoring.

The anti-poaching strategies are also planned for implementation. The latest censuses show an augment in the number of tigers across the country in different National Parks which is evidence that preservation efforts do have an optimistic impact on the environment and wildlife.

• Establishment of various programs and institutions like TraMCA, Project tiger, Project snow leopards, NGT, aiming at the protection of the tiger and its habitat.
• TraMCA is a joint initiative of India and Bhutan for transboundary biodiversity preservation established in 2008.
• Providing suitable habitat with the availability of prey, water bodies, etc. So that Tiger doesn’t come out which results in man-animal conflict.
• Limiting the tourists to peripheral areas and not core areas where Tiger mate and small cubs generally are taken care of.
• Better trained and efficient Forest administrators and rangers to deal with the issue of hunting and poaching.
• People participate in the conservation of tiger and establishments of Vanya Prani Saathi for the same.

A vigorous Tiger population shows the strength of the ecosystem and self-sustenance which are the key objectives of Project Tiger under the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

By launching the Project Tiger, the Government of India has taken a revolutionary initiative for conserving its national animal. It was launched in 1973. It is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

The Project Tiger is administered by The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). It is a statutory body of the Ministry with an overall supervisory and coordination part, performing capacities as gave in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Project Tiger

The Project Tiger launched in 1973 is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme. It gives fund help to the ‘tiger range States’, for in-situ conservation of tigers in the chosen tiger reserves. It has put the endangered tiger on a guaranteed path of revival by protecting it from extinction. The Project Tiger aims to promote an exclusive tiger agenda in the core areas of tiger reserves, with inclusive people participation.

The habitats covered under Project tiger are:

1. Central India conservation unit
2. Shivalik-terai conservation unit
3. North East conservation unit
4. Sariska conservation unit
5. Sunder bans conservation unit
6. Eastern Ghats conservation unit
7. Western Ghats conservation unit

Objectives of Project Tiger

1. To guarantee a viable population of tigers for financial, scientific, aesthetic, social, and ecological values.
2. Limit the elements which lead to the reduction of tiger habitat and to tone down them by suitable strategy.
3. Site-particular eco-development to decrease the dependency of local individuals and indigenous people on tiger reserve

Core and Buffer Area

1. Core Area: The core area has the legal status of a Wildlife Sanctuary or National Park. These areas are free of all forestry operations and human activities.
2. Buffer Area: These multi-purpose areas consist of forest and non-land and subjected to conservation-oriented land use.

Benefits of Project Tiger

The Project Tiger has put the tiger on a certain course of revival from the edge of destruction. The population of tigers in the country has been augmented considerably after the establishment of the project. It has contributed to numerous indescribable environmental profits to society. The project has opened a wide door of tourism and thereby employment opportunities. This initiative has brought the participation of local people and their participation has made the habitat to revive.

• To control the Transboundary illegal trade in wildlife and conservation, India signed a bilateral understanding with Nepal.
• A tiger conservation protocol was signed by India with China
• For the conservation of tigers in the Sunderban region, India has signed a protocol with Bangladesh.
• With Russia, India has constituted a group on tiger and leopard conservation.
• India is a stakeholder of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
• India doesn’t support captive breeding of tigers.

The UPSC has asked a question regarding tiger reserve in UPSC civil service main examination. This shows the importance of the topic. Along with that, we are providing probable UPSC question for practicing.

The issue of tourism in core areas of tiger reserve forests in the country is a subject matter of debate. Critically examine various aspects of this issue, keeping in view relevant recent judicial pronouncements.

Click here to get the UPSC Previous Year Question Paper

Practice question for UPSC IAS Prelims Exam

Match the following

1. Sanjay Dubri             A. Uttar Pradesh
2. Palamau                    B. Jharkhand
3. Namdapha                C. Madhya Pradesh
4. Amangarh                  D. Arunachal Pradesh
5. Dampa                        E. Mizoram

Choose the correct option.

1. 1-B, 2-C, 3-D, 4-A, 5-E
2. 1-A, 2-B, 3-D, 4-C, 5-E
3. 1-C, 2-A, 3-E, 4-B, 5-D
4. 1-C, 2-B, 3-D, 4-A, 5-E

Get the previous years’ Topic Wise UPSC Prelims Questions PDF in the linked article.

Practice question for UPSC IAS Mains Exam

With reference to man-animal, what are the socio-economic impacts of man-animal conflicts and the reason for increasing the man-animal conflicts, and what are the steps taken by concerned authorities?

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