| Introduction: What is translocation of big cats? Body: Support arguments for and against. Conclusion: Give suggestion to resolve this. |
Translocation of big cats is being carried out to move big cats from high-density areas to new forest
areas or areas with large swathes of land and a relatively adequate prey base to feed the big cats.
The tiger relocation project was initiated in 2018 wherein big cats from Kanha Tiger Reserve and
from Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh were relocated to Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha, to shore
up the tiger population in the state.
What are arguments given in support of translocation?
● Decongest National Parks: The reason given for translocation is that it will help decongest
national parks and help maintain the genetic diversity of the big cats.
● Knowledge sharing: Translocation helps in giving conservationists, and researchers new
insights into the behaviour of big cats. It also spreads awareness regarding tiger
conservation.
● Conservation of big cats: Translocation would help in maintaining the population of big cats
in different parts of the country and maintain ecological balance.
● International Cooperation: India being part of tiger range countries has the highest no of
tigers in the world and is responsible to protect the charismatic species and cooperate with
International Organisations on Project Tiger.
● Territorial dispute: Since big cats are very particular about their territory and would fight
with other cats for gaining territory it is considered wise to translocate them to reduce
territorial disputes.
● Man-animal conflict: Recent incidents of man-animal conflict in high-density areas have also
led the government to go for translocation.
What are the arguments given in against this practice?
● Low prey base: Since there is a low prey base in low tiger density areas it makes the survival
of tigers very difficult.
● Change in natural habitat: Some of the widely used unscientific practices like clearing extrawide view lines, exotic weed removal schemes, creation of meadows, creating excessive
water holes & replenishment in the dry season. This leads to a decline in prey species &
further leads to reduce tiger density also.
● Conservation efforts ignored: Translocation is being viewed as a substitute for conservation
activities.
Conclusion:
The answer to this problem lies in keeping a check on human activities and keeping buffer zone free
of infrastructure development. The wildlife corridors should be free from encroachment and
unfragmented to let the easy movement of tigers and reduction in man-animal conflict.
