News Highlight
Burning bright: on the latest quadrennial census of India’s wild tiger population.
Key Takeaway
- According to the quadrennial tiger census results, India’s tiger population in 2022 was at least 3,167 animals.
- In 2018, the previous such exercise estimated the number to be 2,967.
- Although a full examination of the census data is still being completed, the 2022 figures may be revised upwards.
- As the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger approaches, it is worth noting that governments have continually committed attention since 1973.
- It ensures that tigers, generally sensitive to environmental deterioration and extinct in other nations, continue to populate India’s forests.
- The ability to secure increased tiger numbers without relying on gated reserves.
- It includes forest-dwelling communities in conservation, distinguishing features of India’s big cat conservation method.
- Yet, this does not imply that tiger populations will continue to increase indefinitely.
- The ‘State of Tiger’ assessment warns that, while mainly steady, all of India’s five main tiger zones face threats from deforestation and loss of tiger habitat.
Tiger Population in India
- Overview
- With an estimated 2,967 tigers as of 2018, India has the world’s highest tiger population.
- Tigers are a significant component of India’s cultural legacy and are crucial in preserving the ecosystem’s equilibrium.
- With numerous initiatives and programmes, the Indian government has been attempting to conserve and safeguard tigers.
- It includes establishing tiger reserves, anti-poaching measures, habitat conservation, and community outreach activities.
- In certain locations, these initiatives have stabilised and even expanded tiger populations.
- Despite these efforts, tigers in India suffer a variety of dangers, including habitat degradation, poaching, and human-tiger conflicts.
- It is critical to continue these conservation efforts and address the underlying threats to tigers and their habitats to ensure the long-term survival of tigers in India.
- India is a key contributor to the global campaign to conserve and protect tigers.
- Its success in sustaining and raising tiger numbers provides optimism for the species’ future.
- By working together, we can ensure that tigers continue to thrive in India and other areas of their range.
Project Tiger
- About
- On April 1, 1973, the Indian government began Project Tiger to encourage tiger conservation.
- This project has been the world’s largest species conservation programme.
- The project is part of the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change’s (MoEFCC) Centrally Supported Scheme (CSS).
- It offers cash to tiger range states for tiger conservation in designated tiger reserves.
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is the immediate supervising agency.
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
- About
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a government agency under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.
- It was founded in 2005 in response to the Tiger Task Force’s recommendations.
- It was established in accordance with the authorities and tasks provided to it under the enabling provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as modified in 2006.
- The authority consists of:
- Minister in charge of MoEFCC (as Chairperson),
- Minister of State in MoEFCC (as Vice-Chairperson),
- Three members of Parliament, a Secretary, and other members.
- Objectives
- Giving Project Tiger formal authority so that complying with its orders becomes lawful.
- Encouraging Center-State accountability in Tiger Reserve management by establishing a foundation for MoUs with States within our federal framework.
- Provision for parliamentary supervision.
- Addressing local people’s livelihood interests in areas near Tiger Reserves.
Methods used to count tigers
- Camera Trapping
- This entails strategically placing camera traps in tiger habitats to catch images of particular tigers.
- These photos then identify individual tigers based on their distinctive stripe patterns resembling human fingerprints.
- DNA Analysis
- Using DNA analysis, tigers’ hair or scat samples can be used to determine their species, sex, and individual identity.
- This method can estimate tiger populations in remote or difficult-to-reach places.
- Pug Mark Counting
- The pug marks (footprints) of tigers in a specific location are counted to estimate the number of individuals there.
- This method and others validate the results and provide a more precise estimate of the tiger population.
- Direct Observation
- This involves trained observers directly observing tigers in the wild.
- This strategy supplements previous methods and provides more information about tiger distribution and behaviour.
Measures Taken for Tiger Conservation
- Project Tiger – This was founded on April 1, 1973, and is a significant effort aiming at tiger conservation in India.
- The Global Tiger Initiative was established in 2008 as a global coalition of governments, international organisations, civil society, conservation and scientific communities, and the commercial sector.
- Its goal is to collaborate to conserve wild tigers from extinction.
- The Global Tiger Initiative Council (GTIC) was formed with two arms:
- The Global Tiger Forum (GTF)
- The Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP).
- Numerous wildlife sanctuaries have been established worldwide to provide a haven for the striped wildcat.
Pic Courtesy: Nature
Content Source: The Hindu