Tiger conservation in India: Explained, pointwise

Introduction

Recently, the government has released detailed report of All India Tiger Estimation -2022 and final report of 5^th cycle of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves on the occasion of International Tiger Day (29^th July). These reports highlight the success of tiger conservation efforts in India.

What are the key findings of All India Tiger Estimation -2022?

The upper limit of the tiger population is estimated to be 3925 and the average number is 3682 tigers, reflecting an annual growth rate of 6.1% per annum.

India currently harbors almost 75% of the world’s wild tiger population.

Central India and the Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains witnessed a notable increase in tiger population, particularly in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra.

However, certain regions, such as the Western Ghats, experienced localized declines.

The largest tiger population of 785 is in Madhya Pradesh, followed by Karnataka (563) & Uttarakhand (560), and Maharashtra (444).

The tiger abundance within the Tiger Reserve is highest in Corbett (260), followed by Bandipur (150), Nagarhole (141), Bandhavgarh (135), Dudhwa (135).

Approximately 35% of the tiger reserves urgently require enhanced protection measures, habitat restoration, ungulate augmentation, and subsequent tiger reintroduction.

Final Report of 5th cycle of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves

About Management Effectiveness Evaluation

Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) is adopted from the framework of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) World Commission on Protected Areas.

MEE is an important tool to assist and improve the management of Tiger Reserves and their associated landscape connectivity.

51 out of 53 Tiger Reserves have been independently evaluated through the MEE process in the fifth cycle in 2022.

For the assessment of the MEE Framework, 33 criteria have been developed and a percentage rating was calculated for each Tiger Reserve from the scores of all 33 criteria/indicators.

Key findings

The results indicate an overall mean score of 78.01% for 51 Tiger Reserves.

A total of 12 Tiger Reserves have achieved ‘Excellent’’ category (rating greater than or equal to 90 percent).

21 Tiger Reserves were in ‘Very Good’ category (75-89 percent rating).

13 Tiger Reserves achieved ‘Good’ category (60-74 percent rating).

5 Tiger Reserves were in ‘Fair’ category (50-59 percent rating).

What is Project Tiger and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)?

Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to promote conservation of the tiger. It came at a time when the population of tigers in India was rapidly dwindling, due to unfettered hunting and habitat loss.

Project Tiger is an ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change providing central assistance to the tiger States for tiger conservation in designated tiger reserves.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body of the Ministry, with an overarching supervisory / coordination role, performing functions as provided in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Read more: What are the government initiatives focused on improving the tiger population in India?

What are the achievements of Project Tiger?

Population increase: In 1970s, the tiger population was estimated to be around 1800. Project Tiger started in 1973 with 268 tigers. Now, the tiger population is estimated to be 3925.

Expansion of Tiger reserves: The initial number of 9 tiger reserves across 18,278 sq km of land in 1973 has now expanded to 53 tiger reserves cumulatively protecting an area of 75,796.83 sq km, approximately 2.3 per cent of the country’s geographical area.

Protecting other species: The ban on hunting to protect tigers resulted in the population of numerous other animals experiencing an increase.

Why tigers should be conserved?

Preserving the ecosystem: The tiger plays a pivotal role in the health and diversity of an ecosystem. It is a top predator who keeps the population of wild ungulates in check, thereby maintaining the balance between herbivores and the vegetation upon which they feed. Therefore, the presence of tigers in the forest is an indicator of the well-being of the ecosystem.

Protecting water sources: Tiger habitats overlap with important watersheds. Protecting these tiger forests is the most cost-effective way to prevent droughts, reduce flooding, and limit the impacts of climate change. For example, the 51st Tiger Reserve, Srivilliputhur Megamalai, in southern India will safeguard more than 1,000 sq km of key river habitat.

Protecting tigers also protects other species: Tiger-protected areas save other species as well. For example, Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam also support the pygmy hog and the Bengal florican. Without tigers, these and many more species would not be as well protected.

Read more: What is the significance of conserving the tiger population?

What are the threats to tiger conservation?

Climate change-related impacts on habitats and the loss of the quality of forests over time is one of the challenges in tiger conversation. Out of the approximately 400,000 square kilometers of forests in tiger states, only one-third are in relatively healthier condition.

Illegal wildlife trade: Even though poaching is illegal, the demand for tiger products remains high, and poachers continue to kill tigers for profit.

Habitat and loss of prey species: Large-scale habitat Degradation and dwindling prey populations are the major long-term threats to the existence of tigers in the country. Although extensive habitat is available in some landscapes, agriculture, clearing of forests for development – especially road and rail networks, hydel projects are forcing tigers into small and scattered islands of remaining habitat. Tigers need large territories. And along with habitat, tigers have also suffered a severe loss of natural prey populations in key habitats.

Region wise threats

Wildlife habitats in the Central Indian region face various threats, including habitat encroachment, illegal hunting, conflicts with humans, unregulated cattle grazing, excessive harvesting of non-timber forest products, forest fires, mining, and expanding infrastructure.

North Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra region is currently facing several threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.

In the Sundarbans, the tiger population and landscape are both threatened by biotic interference in the form of forest exploration, fishing, palm and timber extraction, and the expansion of waterways.

What should be the way ahead for tiger conservation?

A landscape approach is required to protect the entire landscape. Landscape planning emphasises on corridors which allow free movement for dispersing tigers, equal protection to tigers living outside tiger reserves, habitat improvement outside tiger reserves to improve availability of food, water and cover for tiger and its prey base.

Illegal trade of tiger organs needs a coordination among forests, customs, postal and police departments and paramilitary forces like ITBP, SSB and BSF to curb internal and border transaction of tiger organs.

Special engagements with CITES, IUCN and Traffic are needed to monitor factors responsible for demand of tiger organs, identify hot spots and nexus operating outside Indian borders. Strong surveillance, intelligence gathering and coordination among national and international agencies would ensure a safe journey for tiger conservation in India.

Estimation of carrying capacity of tiger reserves should be priority for coming years to assess an optimum level of tiger population a reserve can sustain. Translocation of excess animals can be carried out to tiger deficit reserves to further strengthen tiger population. Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh and Rajaji Tiger reserve in Uttarakhand are doing well with their translocated population of tiger.

Conclusion

The increase in the tiger population is a positive sign, but we must not become complacent and there is a need to continue our efforts to ensure the survival of this magnificent animal and safeguard our forested ecosystems in their entirety. Tigers are not just a part of India’s wildlife heritage but also a symbol of the country’s ecological richness and economic well-being.

To ensure the long-term survival of tigers in India, a multi-faceted approach is needed, including protecting and expanding tiger habitats, preserving population connectivity, minimizing human-tiger conflicts, and combating threats like habitat loss, poaching, and illegal trade. It’s important to restore habitats, increase ungulate populations, and plan reintroduction of tigers in low density areas to tackle conflict issues. The involvement of various stakeholders, such as governments, NGOs, local communities, and businesses, is crucial.

Sources: PIB (Press release 1 and Press release 2), Status of Tigers 2022 report