Source- This post is based on the article “Protection of Black Tiger” published in “PIB” on 21st December 2023.
Why in the News?
Recently the Union Minister of State for Environment filed a reply in the parliament regarding the conservation efforts of the Black tigers.
What are Black Tigers?
| Aspect | Details |
| What is it? | 1) Black Tigers are a rare colour variant of the Bengal tiger and are not a distinct species or geographic subspecies. 2) Also known as Melanistic Royal Bengal Tiger. |
| IUCN status | Endangered |
| Population in India | 1) Recorded only in the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha. 2) In the 2022 All India Tiger Estimation, Similipal Tiger Reserve reported 16 tigers, with 10 being melanistic. |
| What causes the black colour? | 1) The broadened or spread black stripes in these tigers is caused by a single mutation in the Transmembrane Aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep) gene. 2) As the phenomenon is related to mutation and not the high deposition of melanin, it is considered pseudo-melanism. 3) Since this mutation is caused by a recessive gene, it is rare. But the geographical isolation of these tigers in Simlipal Tiger Reserve has led to inbreeding, offering the recessive gene frequent chances to show up. |
What are the Conservation Efforts taken by the Government for Black Tigers?
1) The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) issued a Standard Operating Procedure for active management of tiger rehabilitation in source areas.
2) Recognized as a unique genetic cluster, Similipal Tiger Reserve obtains funding through Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (CSS-IDWH) for conservation of tigers, raising awareness on tiger & other wildlife conservation, habitat management, etc under the Tiger Conservation Plan.
What is Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH)?
1) Its a centrally sponsored scheme to provide technical and financial states to states for protection of wildlife habitat.
2) The scheme has following three components:
a. Support to Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves).
b. Protection of Wildlife Outside Protected Areas.
c. Recovery programmes for saving critically endangered species and habitats.
About Similipal Tiger Reserve
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