Burning bright – India must balance conservation efforts with the rights of forest dwellers”

Source: The post is based on the article “Burning bright – India must balance conservation efforts with the rights of forest dwellers” published in The Hindu on 11th April 2023.

Syllabus: GS – 3: Environment and Bio-diversity Conservation.

Relevance: About tiger population.

News: Recently, the government released the 5th cycle of India’s Tiger Census. Based on the survey, the tiger population in India has grown from 1,411 in 1972 to 3,167 in 2022.

What are the key findings of India’s tiger census?

What are the government initiatives that led to an increase in the tiger population?

What are the challenges India faces with the increased tiger population?

The ‘Status of Tiger’ report warns that a) All of India’s five main tiger zones, while largely stable, face challenges of deforestation and loss of tiger habitat, b) In Western Ghats, tiger numbers are on the decline, with only populations within protected forests stable, and c) Tiger reserves has increased from nine in 1973 to 53 today. However, the increase in reserves has not resulted in all of these reserves becoming suitable habitats for tigers.

The other challenges include a) Serious conservation efforts are needed in tiger population recovery in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Wildlife habitats in these areas face various threats that include habitat encroachment, hunting, conflicts with humans, unregulated cattle grazing, excessive harvesting of non-timber forest products, fires, mining, and expanding infrastructure, b) According to Experts, India’s tiger reserves, in their present state, can be able to sustain populations of up to 4,000 only.

What more can be done?

-The government has to maintain the delicate balance between conservation efforts and ensuring the right to livelihood and dignified living of forest-dwelling communities.

-The cheetah, the leopard, the lion and the tiger can co-exist in India only with the right incentives in place for all stakeholders.