Bhutan and the Tiger Conservation Coalition

Context

Bhutan’s government is organizing the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference on Earth Day 2024.

Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference: Bhutan’s Earth Day Initiative

• This event is Co-organized by Bhutan’s government and the Tiger Conservation Coalition.
• Bhutan will host the two-day conference with the support of the country’s queen, Jetsun Pema Wangchuck. 
• The event will feature expert panels discussing sustainable finance, connections to the UN’s Global Biodiversity Framework, and the role of public-private partnerships in protecting tiger habitats.
• Objective:  To gather $1 billion over 10 years to protect tigers and their habitats  in Asia.

About The Tiger Conservation Coalition

• Vision: To maintain sustainable and thriving populations of wild tigers in secure habitats.
  • To safeguard tiger populations and their habitats for future generations.
• Member NGOs: The coalition includes 10 organizations such as EIA, FFI, IUCN, Panthera, and WWF.

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Role of the Global Environment Facility in Tiger Conservation 

• Since 2010, they have contributed over $197 million directly and mobilized an additional $880 million in co-finance for tiger conservation.
  • They also  aim to mobilize sustainable financing for biodiversity conservation and utilization.

About Tiger 

Tigers are the largest wild cat species in the world.

• Scientific name: Panthera tigris
• Conservation status 
  • International Union for conservation of Nature (IUCN): Endangered
  • 1972 Indian wildlife protection act: Schedule I
  • Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix I
• Significance: They are apex predators and play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
• Habitat Requirements: Tigers are “landscape” species.
  • They need vast areas with diverse habitats. 
    • These areas must be free from human disturbance and rich in prey to support tigers.
    • These areas, called tiger landscapes, are crucial for biodiversity and the well-being of human communities living nearby.
• Population Update: In 2022, the International Union for Conservation of Nature declared that the global tiger population had stabilized and possibly increased.
  • Increase in Numbers: Data indicated a potential 40% rise in tiger numbers, from 3,200 in 2015 to 4,500 in 2022, despite severe threats.

Impact of Bhutan’s Funding Initiative for Tiger Conservation

• Securing Long-Term Conservation Efforts: The $1 billion target would provide a stable financial base for tiger conservation programs over the next decade. 
  • This allows for consistent anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration initiatives, and research on tiger populations and threats.
• Momentum for Global Action: Bhutan’s initiative brings tiger conservation to the forefront of international attention.
  • The conference’s success could inspire further action from governments, NGOs, and individuals around the world, creating a more robust global movement for tiger conservation.
• Tiger landscapes benefits: Protecting tiger habitats not only helps tigers but also promotes biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and supports the well-being of over 100 million people living near these areas.

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