Project Tiger

Project Tiger

Syllabus Areas:

GS III - Environment & Ecology

On the occasion of International Tiger Day (29 July), The Times of India published a comprehensive report on the progress, success, and future challenges of Project Tiger—India's flagship wildlife conservation initiative. The series highlights how India revived its dwindling tiger population and became a global leader in big cat conservation.

Project Tiger

• Launched: 1973 by the Government of India.
• Objective: To ensure the survival and maintenance of a viable population of tigers in India.
• Initial Setup: Started with 9 tiger reserves.
• Agency Involved: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC); implementation by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Reasons Behind Launch

• During the 1960s-70s, India’s tiger population had plummeted due to:
  • Poaching
  • Habitat destruction
  • Retaliatory killings
• Tigers were on the brink of extinction, particularly in regions like Sariska (Rajasthan).

Tiger Population Rebound

• Population Growth
  • This represents a 161% increase over 16 years.
  • India now holds almost 75% of the world’s wild tiger population.
• Expansion of Protected Areas
  • Area under tiger reserves:
    • 1973: 14,000 sq km
    • 2025: 84,000 sq km (~2.5% of India’s landmass)
  • Reserves expanded from 9 to 53.
  • Tiger reserves now exist across 18 Indian states.

Major Tiger States (2022 Data)

Corbett Reserve (Uttarakhand): Highest number of tigers in any reserve (260 tigers)

Success Factors

• Improved Surveillance
  • Camera traps, AI-based tracking, GPS collars, and drones are increasingly used.
  • These help identify movement, prevent poaching, and enable real-time monitoring.
• Scientific Habitat Management
  • Restoration of degraded habitats.
  • Creation of buffer zones to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
  • Tiger reintroduction (as done in Sariska and Panna).
• Increased Funding and Policy Support
  • Backing from NTCA, state forest departments, and international collaborations (e.g., WWF, Global Tiger Forum)
• Community Involvement
  • Relocation of forest-dependent communities to reduce pressure on core tiger habitats.
  • Compensation for livestock loss and eco-development schemes.

Threats: Cross-border Trade in Tiger Parts

Location: Myanmar's Shan State & Mong La Town

• Emerged as hubs for illegal wildlife trade.
• Tigers poached in India are trafficked via the North-East (e.g., Mizoram, Manipur) to Myanmar and beyond.

The Smuggling Trail

• From India → Mizoram border → Zokhawthar crossing → Myanmar → Tahan/Shan State → China & SE Asia.
• Items traded: tiger skin, bones, claws, teeth, and genitals (used in traditional Chinese medicine).

Significance

• Highlights the need for regional cooperation under platforms like CITES, SAWEN, and Interpol Wildlife CrimeLink.

Key Challenges Ahead

1. Human-Wildlife Conflict
   • Rising tiger population may clash with humans if not planned properly.
   • Habitat fragmentation increases encounters.
2. Habitat Degradation
   • Urbanization, mining, and infrastructure projects (e.g., roads, canals) disrupt corridors.
3. Poaching & Illegal Trade
   • Despite success, demand for tiger parts still exists in black markets.
4. Climate Change
   • Affects prey availability, water sources, and vegetation quality.
5. Policy & Coordination Gaps
   • Need for better inter-state and international coordination.

India’s success in tiger conservation is globally unmatched, but sustainability requires:

• Continued monitoring
• Strengthened law enforcement
• Community engagement
• Regional and international collaboration

As India holds the largest share of the global wild tiger population, it bears a special responsibility to ensure that this success story continues for future generations.

Mains Question

• Discuss the role of modern technologies in wildlife conservation in India. Illustrate your answer with examples from recent tiger conservation initiatives. 150 Words 10 Marks