Tiger Decline In Eastern States: A Rising Conservation Concern

A study by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has raised concern over prey species like chital, sambar, and Indian bison.

Tiger conservation in India

Tiger Decline in Eastern States

Status of Tiger Population
- In 2006, India’s tiger population dropped to an all-time low of about 1,400.
- Efforts in wildlife conservation helped the population recover to over 3,600 tigers by 2023.
- However, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha saw a decline in tiger numbers.

Key findings of the study

Tiger Recovery with Uneven Gains: India’s overall tiger numbers have increased, but certain regions (e.g., Simlipal, Palamau, Udanti-Sitanadi, Guru Ghasidas) have witnessed a decline in tiger populations.
Prey Base Decline: The herbivore population (chital, sambar, Indian bison), crucial for tiger survival, is falling in these regions.
- Lack of prey forces tigers to move out of reserves, increasing human-wildlife conflict.
Socioeconomic Link to Poaching: The affected reserves are in poor districts, where bush meat consumption is common due to poverty
Short-term and Long-term Solutions
- Short-term: On-site breeding of prey species in predator-free enclosures (not ideal due to weak survival instincts in herbivores).
- Long-term: Focus on habitat improvement, community involvement, and poverty alleviation to ensure sustainable tiger conservation.

Wildlife Institute of India (WII)

Established in 1982, WII is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
It focuses on wildlife research, training, and conservation across India.
Located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

NTCA is a statutory body under the MoEFCC.
Established in 2005 based on the recommendation of the Tiger Task Force.
Legal Framework: It was given statutory status under the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006.
It was created to strengthen tiger conservation efforts and manage tiger reserves.
NTCA oversees Project Tiger, which was launched in 1973 to protect India’s tiger population.
It conducts tiger monitoring, habitat protection, and anti-poaching measures.
NTCA also collaborates with WII for Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of tiger reserves

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