Tiger Population in India: NCBS study

A new study has found that the tiger population in India has increased by 30% over the past two decades.

About Tiger 

• Tigers are the largest wild cat species in the world.
• Scientific name: Panthera tigris
• Conservation status IUCN: Endangered
• 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.
• Current Tiger Population in India
  • India has a minimum of 3,167 tigers, according to the 2022 estimation.
  • Further data analysis, using advanced statistical models, estimates:
    • Upper limit: 3,925 tigers
    • Average population: 3,682 tigers
  • The annual growth rate of the tiger population stands at 6.1%, indicating steady progress.

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Key Factors Behind Tiger Recovery

• Balanced Conservation Strategy
  • India’s conservation success is due to a scientific approach and a mix of land-sharing and land-sparing methods.
  • Protected areas (land sparing)—where humans are restricted—support 85% of breeding tigers.
  • Multi-use forests (land sharing) allow tigers to live alongside human populations, proving that coexistence is possible.
• Strong Legislative Support
  • Conservation efforts are backed by strict wildlife laws, including:
    • Wildlife Protection Act 1972
    • Forest Conservation Act 1980
    • National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
• Role of Socio-Economic Factors
  • Economic prosperity and cultural values have helped in tiger conservation.
  • Areas with less dependence on forests and better economic conditions see higher tiger recolonization.
  • Challenges:
    • Regions with high poverty and conflicts (like Naxal-affected areas in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand) have witnessed tiger population decline.

Future Challenges & Recommendations

• Challenges
  • 157,000 sq km of potential tiger habitat remains unoccupied due to political instability and habitat loss.
  • Human-wildlife conflict continues to pose a challenge.
• Recommendations for Improvement
  • Expand protected areas and habitat corridors.
  • Strengthen anti-poaching measures to protect tigers.
  • Promote sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
  • Improve conflict mitigation strategies, including:
    • Early warning systems.
    • Rapid response teams.

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