50 YEARS OF PROJECT TIGER

Why in the News?

The Indian government officially marked 2023 as the 50th year of ‘Project Tiger’.

About Project Tiger

• A Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), launched in 1973. 
  • Initially launched in 9 Tiger reserves (TRs) in different states of India. 
  • Provides central assistance to tiger range States for in-situ conservation of tigers in designated tiger reserves. 
• Objective: To ensure the maintenance of a viable population of tigers in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values. 
  • Project Tiger has a holistic ecosystem approach. Though the main focus is on the flagship species tiger, the project strives to maintain the stability of ecosystems by also supporting abundant prey populations.
• Implementing Agency: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
  • NTCA was launched in 2005, following the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force. It was given statutory status by 2006 amendment of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Funding pattern: 60% Central Assistance is being made available to States for expenditure on all non-recurring items.
  • For recurring items, Central Assistance is restricted to 50% of the expenditure, while a matching grant is provided by the Project States. 
  • North Eastern and Himalayan States are provided 90% central assistance in both cases. 
• Project Tiger and Project Elephant were merged as Project Tiger & Elephant.
• Activities undertaken under Project Tiger 
  • Establishment and development of Tiger Reserves: 55 tiger reserves. (Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve and Dholpur – Karauli Tiger Reserve were declared in 2023) 
  • Core-buffer strategy to manage tigers: Core areas have the legal status of a national park or a sanctuary.
    • Whereas buffer or peripheral areas are a mix of forest and non-forest land, managed as a multiple-use area.
  • Technological advancements: The e-Bird project uses Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for Surveillance and Monitoring.
    • NTCA conducts assessment using the application M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers Intensive Protection & Ecological Status).
  • Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF): Deployed in several TRs for focused anti-poaching operations.

Challenges in Tiger Conservation

• Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Out of the approximately four lakh square kilometres of forests in tiger states, only one-third are in relatively healthier condition (Status Tiger Report 2022).
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: As human populations expand and encroach upon tiger habitats, conflicts arise. 
• Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade: Poachers target tigers for their skins, bones, and other body parts.
• Climate change: Shifting temperatures are altering the habitats of tigers in the Himalayan States, Sundarbans and Western Ghats.
  • Climate change accelerates, and wildfires are becoming more frequent in ecosystems that do not typically experience a fire season.
• Monitoring: TR such as Mukundra, Ranthambore, Nagarhole, etc. are situated along the boundaries of the state, which creates an issue of monitoring as the animal moves from one generation to another.
• Other: Tigers reserves are also threatened by invasive plant species such as Lantana camara.

Way ahead

• Habitat Protection and Restoration: Strengthen efforts to protect and expand tiger habitats.
  • Establish and maintain wildlife corridors to connect fragmented habitats.
• Community Involvement and Awareness: Engage local communities in conservation efforts through education and awareness programs.
  • Promote sustainable livelihoods for communities living near tiger habitats to reduce dependence on natural resources.
• Anti-Poaching Measures: Enhance law enforcement and anti-poaching efforts with better training, equipment, and technology.
  • Collaborate with local communities to gather intelligence and report illegal activities.
  • Impose severe penalties and consequences for wildlife crimes to act as a deterrent.
• Climate Change Mitigation: Support research on the impacts of climate change on tiger habitats and populations.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage private sector involvement in tiger conservation through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. 

About Tiger  A flagship species of India was declared a National Animal of India.   Habitat: The largest population is in India, with smaller groups in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar.  India harbours almost 75% of the world’s wild tiger population.  Distribution of Tiger population in India: Habitats ranging from the high mountains, mangrove swamps, and tall grasslands, to dry and moist deciduous forests, as well as evergreen and shola forest systems.  Significance of Tiger: Ecological:  Tigers are both a Flagship and Umbrella species. As a Flagship species they are important for conservation and as an Umbrella species, conservation of tigers leads to conservation of other species. Economic: Ecotourism and related industries.  Cultural and spiritual: Symbols of power, strength. Characteristics:  Solitary and territorial animals and an adult male’s territory may encompass territories of two to seven females.  Stripes are individually as unique as human fingerprints. Tigers are excellent swimmers.