Date: 12/04/2023

Relevance: GS-3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution, and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Key Phrases: tiger population, quadrennial census of India’s wild tiger population, Project Tiger, Status of Tiger report, deforestation and loss of tiger habitat, Man-Animal Conflict, National Tiger Conservation Authority, Tiger Conservation Plan.

Why in News?

• India’s tiger population has been a topic of discussion and concern for conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts for many years.
• The latest quadrennial census of the tiger population conducted in 2022 has brought some good news.
• The tiger population in India has increased to 3,167 from 2,967 in 2018. However, this does not mean that all is well, and there is still a long way to go.

The success of Project Tiger:

• The 50th year of Project Tiger celebrates the consistent devotion of the Indian government since 1973 to ensure that tigers continue to populate India's forests.
• The increase in numbers can be attributed to India's focus on conservation efforts over the years.
• The Indian government has consistently devoted attention to ensuring that tigers continue to populate India’s forests.
• India's distinct approach towards big cat conservation has enabled an increase in tiger numbers without relying on fenced reserves and by engaging the participation of forest-dwelling communities in conservation.
• This success story has helped bring back tigers from the brink of extinction, from 1,411 tigers in 1972 to the current 3,167.

Challenges Faced by India’s Tiger Population

• The ‘Status of Tiger’ report warns that all of India’s five main tiger zones, while largely stable, face challenges of deforestation and loss of tiger habitat.
• The Western Ghats, one of the most biodiverse spots globally, also hosts some of India’s most populous tiger reserves.
• The 2022 census results have shown a decline in tiger numbers in the Western Ghats, with only populations within protected forests remaining stable.

Need for Conservation Efforts:

• India has come a long way in terms of tiger conservation, from having nine tiger reserves in 1973 to 53 today.
• However, the increase in numbers has not translated to all of these reserves becoming suitable habitats for tigers.
• Serious conservation efforts are needed to help tiger population recovery in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Wildlife habitats in these areas face various threats, including habitat encroachment, hunting, conflicts with humans, unregulated cattle grazing, excessive harvesting of non-timber forest products, fires, mining, and expanding infrastructure.

Tiger Population and Man-Animal Conflict:

• As India's human population grows, tiger habitats are increasingly encroached upon, leading to man-animal conflicts.
• While India boasts of the most number of tigers in the wild, growing tiger populations will inevitably result in more man-animal conflicts as tigers venture out for prey.
• The report suggests that active management of tiger reserves is crucial and that every tiger reserve has a Tiger Conservation Plan, which is a long-term conservation strategy.
• The plan covers all aspects of management, including managing conflicts, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has also issued several SOPs and guidelines to deal with critical situations.

Is Translocating Tigers an Option?

• Translocating tigers has been suggested as a potential solution to the challenges faced in tiger population recovery. However, this option comes with significant challenges, risks, and expenses.
• Success of Translocation:
  • The success of this strategy is evident in the Sariska Tiger Reserve, where tigers had gone extinct due to poaching.
• Challenges and Risks :
  • Translocation requires specialized skills and equipment, and there are high chances of injury or death during the transfer process.
  • It is crucial to maintain the delicate balance between making the ground fertile for conservation and keeping the rights of forest-dwelling communities intact.
• Balancing Conservation and Human Rights:
  • Showcasing conservation efforts ought not to come at the expense of ensuring the right to livelihood and dignified living of communities, who often live the closest to these majestic wild creatures.
  • The cheetah, the leopard, the lion, and the tiger can co-exist in India only with the right incentives in place for all stakeholders.
• Temporary Solution :
  • Translocation is not a permanent solution, and the translocated tigers may not adapt well to their new environment.
  • Therefore, translocation should only be considered when there is no other option.

Conclusion:

• The latest census results have shown an increase in India’s tiger population, which is a cause for celebration.
• However, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed, including habitat loss and threats faced by tigers outside protected reserves.
• Serious conservation efforts are needed to ensure the survival of India's tiger population.
• Moreover, the rights of forest-dwelling communities must be protected and balanced with conservation efforts.
• With concerted efforts, India's tiger population can thrive, and the country can continue to be a safe haven for these majestic creatures.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Question:

Q. “India’s tiger population has increased over the years, but it still faces threats from deforestation and loss of habitat.” What steps should the government take to ensure the growth and conservation of the tiger population while keeping the rights of forest-dwelling communities intact? Discuss.