Understanding Project Tiger in Detail

        

        Project Tiger, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Government of India, was launched on April 1st, 1973, during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Its primary objective was to secure a viable population of Indian Tigers in their natural habitats, shielding them from the brink of extinction, and safeguarding ecologically significant areas as a natural heritage that represents diverse ecosystems across the country's tiger range.

        In the early 20th century, India boasted an estimated tiger population of about 40,000. However, by the 1970s, rampant hunting and habitat destruction had caused a severe decline, leaving a mere 1,827 tigers remaining. This alarming situation captured the attention of wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists, and the government, ultimately giving rise to the crucial conservation initiative known as Project Tiger.

Objectives of Project Tiger :

The objectives of Project Tiger are two-fold:

• Conservation of Tiger Habitats: The primary aim is to identify and address the factors that contribute to the degradation and loss of tiger habitats. Through effective management strategies, the damages inflicted on these habitats will be rectified to facilitate the maximum possible recovery of the ecosystem.

• Ensuring a Sustainable Tiger Population: The project aims to establish and maintain a viable tiger population in the designated areas. This is essential to preserve the economic, scientific, cultural, aesthetic, and ecological values associated with tigers.

        To achieve these goals, Project Tiger utilises an innovative monitoring system called Monitoring System for Tigers- Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-STrIPES). This system plays a crucial role in protecting tiger habitats by assisting forest patrols. It functions by mapping patrol routes and enabling forest guards to record important sightings, events, and changes observed during their patrols. Based on this data, M-STrIPES generates protocols that aid in making well-informed management decisions and adjustments to further enhance tiger conservation efforts.

Project Tiger Management :

        Project Tiger, managed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, oversees the conservation efforts for tiger populations in various regions. A steering committee, led by a director, monitors the project's overall administration. The management of the project involves the establishment of conservation units to support its objectives. These conservation units in India are as follows:

• Eastern Ghats Conservation Unit
• Western Ghats Conservation Unit
• Central India Conservation Unit
• North-East Conservation Unit
• Sariska Conservation Unit
• Kaziranga Conservation Unit
• Shivalik Terai Conservation Unit
• Sunderbans Conservation Unit

Each of these conservation units is headed by a field director, along with a team of field and technical personnel, responsible for implementing conservation efforts in their respective regions.

The tiger reserves are established using the 'core-buffer' strategy:, which involves:

• Core Area: Designating specific regions as national parks or wildlife sanctuaries, where human activities are restricted. These areas remain free from disturbances like grazing and forestry operations to preserve the natural habitat.

• Buffer Areas: Surrounding the core regions, these areas adopt a 'conservation-oriented land use' approach, comprising both forest and non-forest land. The buffer zones serve two purposes: providing additional habitat for wildlife spillover from the core areas and implementing co-developmental initiatives for nearby villages to minimise their impact on the core regions.

The key focus areas of Project Tiger include:

• Strengthening protection and surveillance efforts to combat poaching and other threats to tigers.
• Facilitating voluntary relocation of people from critical tiger habitats to create undisturbed spaces for tigers.
• Utilising information technology to prevent wildlife crimes and enhance monitoring.
• Addressing human-wildlife conflicts to ensure harmonious coexistence.
• Enhancing the capacity of frontline personnel through training and support.
• Establishing a national repository of camera trap tiger photographs with identifications for research and monitoring.
• Strengthening the regional offices of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to enhance coordination and management.
• Identifying and establishing new tiger reserves to expand the conservation network.
• Promoting awareness and research to garner support for tiger conservation.
• Supporting research efforts in the field of wildlife conservation to improve management strategies.

        By implementing these measures and designing management plans based on principles like eliminating human exploitation in core areas, supporting ecosystem recovery in buffer zones, and continuous monitoring of faunal and floral changes, Project Tiger aims to safeguard tiger populations and their habitats, ensuring a sustainable and thriving ecosystem for these magnificent creatures.

Achievement of Project Tiger :

Project Tiger, launched in India in 1973, has achieved significant milestones in tiger conservation, resulting in a remarkable recovery of the tiger population. Some of its key achievements include:

• Increased Tiger Population: The number of tigers in India has shown a substantial increase from around 1,827 in the 1970s to 3167 by 2022 estimates.

• Expanded Coverage: Project Tiger initially covered 9 tiger reserves, spanning 18,278 square kilometers across 9 states. Over the years, the project's success has led to significant expansion. currently, India boasts 53 tiger reserves, encompassing more than 75,000 square kilometers in 18 tiger range states.

• Achieved TX2 Goal: As part of the St. Petersburg Declaration on tiger conservation, India committed to doubling its wild tiger population by 2022, commonly known as the "TX2 goal." Remarkably, India achieved this ambitious goal ahead of schedule, reaching the target in 2018, four years before the designated timeline.

• Positive Impact on Ecosystem: The ban on hunting and concerted efforts to protect tiger habitats have had a positive spillover effect on the ecosystem. As the tiger population rebounded, the conservation efforts also led to the protection and revival of many other animal species that share their habitat, contributing to biodiversity conservation.

• Global Tiger Population: India's success in tiger conservation has been crucial for the global tiger population. With more than 3,000 tigers in the country, India is now home to more than 70% of the world's wild tiger population, making it a critical player in global tiger conservation efforts.

        Project Tiger's achievements have set an example for other countries and conservation organisations, demonstrating the importance of dedicated efforts in safeguarding endangered species and their habitats. However, continued vigilance and sustained conservation efforts are necessary to ensure the long-term survival and well-being of tigers and their ecosystems.

Challenges of Project Tiger :

Project Tiger has faced several challenges in its efforts to conserve and protect tigers and their habitats. Some of the prominent challenges include:

• Poaching: One of the most significant threats to tigers has been poaching, which undermines the conservation efforts of Project Tiger. Despite strict measures, illegal hunting for tiger body parts and skins continues to persist, leading to a considerable number of tiger deaths.

• Inadequate Protection in Non-Reserve Areas: Tigers often venture outside the designated tiger reserves in search of new territories or prey. Unfortunately, these areas lack adequate protection, making tigers vulnerable to various dangers and human activities.

• Conflict with Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006: The Forest Rights Act, enacted by the Indian government in 2006, grants certain rights to forest-dwelling communities, including those living in or near tiger habitats. This sometimes creates conflicts between the interests of local communities and tiger conservation efforts.

• Human-Animal Conflicts: As human populations expand and encroach into wildlife habitats, incidents of human-tiger conflicts have increased. This poses a challenge for both human safety and tiger conservation, leading to injuries and fatalities on both sides.

• Shrinking Wildlife Habitats: The loss and fragmentation of wildlife habitats due to deforestation, urbanisation, and developmental projects have severely affected tiger populations. Reduced habitats limit their access to resources and increase their susceptibility to external threats.

        To conclude, Project Tiger stands as a shining example of successful conservation efforts, demonstrating that with political will, public support, and scientific rigor, endangered species can be brought back from the brink of extinction. The project's success has shown the world the importance of preserving iconic species and their habitats for the benefit of future generations. However, continued efforts, vigilance, and collective responsibility are essential to ensure that the tiger roars for generations to come.

Facts About Tigers :

Tigers, the largest cat species, hold significant importance as both umbrella and flagship species in the wild.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN: Endangered

• CITES: Appendix I

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

• World Tiger Day: 29th July

Notable Tiger Reserves in India:

• Largest Tiger Reserve: Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve, Andhra Pradesh

• Smallest Tiger Reserve: Bog Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

• Highest Tiger Density: Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

Geographical Distribution:

Tigers are found in various countries known as Tiger Range Countries. These include India, Nepal, China, Russia, Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Sumatra (Indonesia), and Malaysia.

Tiger Subspecies:

Throughout history, there were eight subspecies of tigers, but sadly, three of them have been extinct for many years. The five-surviving subspecies are as follows:

• Indian Tiger or Royal Bengal Tiger (native to the Indian Subcontinent)

• Indo-Chinese Tiger

• Siberian or Amur Tiger

• Sumatran Tiger

• South China Tiger

Extinct Subspecies:

Three tiger subspecies became extinct during the past century. They are the Bali Tiger, the Javan Tiger, and the Caspian Tiger. The loss of these magnificent creatures is a somber reminder of the importance of conservation efforts to protect the remaining tiger populations.

Tiger Census :

• The process of assessing the tiger population in a specific region is referred to as 'Tiger Census.' 

• This crucial task is carried out every four years by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), in collaboration with technical support from the Wildlife Institute of India.

• The census evaluations have been conducted at regular intervals since 2006, with subsequent assessments in 2010, 2014, 2018, and the most recent one in 2022.

• Notably, the 2018 census achieved a remarkable milestone by entering the Guinness Book of World Records for being the most extensive camera-trapping exercise ever undertaken globally.

Year	Tiger Population in Numbers
2006	1411
2010	1706
2014	2226
2018	2967
2022	3167

India and Tiger Conservation :

1. Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards

• CA|TS (Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards) is a globally recognised conservation tool that sets forth best practices and standards for managing tiger populations while promoting regular assessments to track progress.

• The objective of CA|TS is to enable tiger sites to evaluate whether their management strategies will lead to successful tiger conservation. It is organised around seven pillars and 17 critical management activity elements.

• Developed by tiger and protected area specialists, CA|TS was officially launched in 2013 and plays a vital role in Tx2, the global initiative aiming to double the number of wild tigers by 2022.

• The ultimate goal of CA|TS is to create secure habitats for tigers, ensuring their long-term survival. As part of this effort, 14 Indian Tiger Reserves have already received international CA|TS accreditation, and further endeavours are underway to bring more Tiger Reserves under this accreditation.

The 14 tiger reserves that have obtained CA|TS accreditation are as follows:

1. Manas Tiger Reserve - Assam
2. Kaziranga Tiger Reserve - Assam 
3. Orang Tiger Reserve - Assam
4. Satpura Tiger Reserve - Madhya Pradesh
5.  Kanha Tiger Reserve - Madhya Pradesh
6. and Panna Tiger Reserve - Madhya Pradesh
7. Pench Tiger Reserve - Maharashtra
8. Valmiki Tiger Reserve Tiger Reserve - Bihar
9. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve - Uttar Pradesh
10. Sunderbans Tiger Reserve - West Bengal
11. Parambikulam Tiger Reserve - Kerala
12. Bandipur Tiger Reserve - Karnataka
13. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve - Tamil Nadu
14. Anamalai Tiger Reserve - Tamil Nadu

2. International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

        India has recently put forward a groundbreaking proposal to establish the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) - a global initiative dedicated to the preservation and protection of seven majestic big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah. To fuel this vital conservation effort, the alliance plans to invest a substantial sum of $100 million, ensuring continuous support over the next five years, with a guaranteed funding of over Rs 800 crore.

• The IBCA aims to encompass 97 "range" countries, which are home to the natural habitats of these magnificent big cats, and it also welcomes participation from other interested nations and international organisations. This inclusive approach seeks to foster collaborative efforts and synergies in safeguarding these endangered species.

• Embracing a multi-faceted approach, the alliance will engage in various strategic initiatives such as advocacy, partnerships, a knowledge e-portal, capacity building, eco-tourism, and establishing collaborations between expert groups and financial resources tapping.

• One of the primary objectives of the IBCA is to disseminate valuable information about benchmarked practices, resources repository, capacity building, research and development, and raising awareness about the importance of preserving these species and their habitats.

• To ensure effective governance, the alliance will have a General Assembly representing all member countries, and a council comprising at least seven prominent stakeholders who will collectively drive the vision and goals of the IBCA.

• Through the concerted efforts of member countries and stakeholders, the International Big Cat Alliance aspires to create a formidable force in protecting these iconic big cats and securing a sustainable future for them in the wild.