Context:
India, which had just 1,411 tigers in 2006, recorded 3,682 wild tigers in 2022 — a 161% increase — making it home to nearly 75% of the global wild tiger population. This remarkable turnaround is a result of 50+ years of sustained conservation efforts under Project Tiger, but new threats demand attention.
Key Highlights:
- Launched in 1973 in 9 reserves spanning 14,000 sq km.
- Today, it covers 58 tiger reserves across 84,487 sq km in 18 states, roughly 2.5% of India’s area.
2. Population Trends
- Tiger population grew from 1,411 (2006) to 3,682 (2022).
- Big successes in Uttarakhand and eastern Maharashtra.
- Local extinctions/declines reported in:
- Palamau (Jharkhand)
- Achanakmar (Chhattisgarh)
- Satkosia (Odisha)
- Dampa (Mizoram)
- Buxa (West Bengal)
3. Threats & Challenges
- Poaching persists due to illegal international demand for tiger parts.
- Man-tiger conflict has risen due to expanding tiger territories:
- 73 human deaths reported in tiger attacks in 2024 (highest: Maharashtra – 42 deaths).
- Understaffed, under-resourced forest teams struggle with:
- Cross-border smuggling (esp. in Nepal border areas)
- Encroachment resistance from locals
- Administrative hurdles in conflict zones
4. Need for Policy Reforms
- ~35% of tiger reserves need urgent protection, including:
- Habitat restoration
- Prey base replenishment
- Reintroduction of tigers
- Community engagement is key:
- Livelihood improvement for forest-dependent people can reduce pressure on tiger habitats.
- Poverty and insurgency correlate with declining tiger numbers.
5. Forward Strategy
- Experts suggest population management planning to avoid backlash from affected communities.
- Sustainable coexistence and ecological balance require aligning conservation with social justice.
TOI
