The Global Tiger Initiative (GTI) was launched in 2008 as a global alliance of governments, international organizations, and the private sector. It shifted from being a World Bank-led program to a country-led initiative, primarily coordinated through the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) and the Global Tiger Initiative Council.
The St. Petersburg Declaration (2010)
This landmark declaration was signed during the first “Tiger Summit” in Russia. It established the most ambitious conservation goal ever set for a single species.
- The TX2 Goal: A commitment by the 13 Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) to double the number of wild tigers in their respective territories by the year 2022.
- Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP): A comprehensive strategy built on “National Tiger Recovery Plans” (NTRPs) to address habitat loss, poaching, and illegal trade.
Current Status: Transition to GTRP 2.0 (2023–2034)
Following the conclusion of the first TX2 cycle in 2022, the Global Tiger Recovery Program 2.0 was launched in Thimphu, Bhutan, to guide conservation through 2034.
Key Pillars of GTRP 2.0
- Strengthening Governance: Enhancing the legal frameworks and institutional capacity within Tiger Range Countries.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC): A major shift in focus towards managing the interface between tigers and local communities to ensure coexistence.
- Resource Mobilization: Promoting sustainable financing and “Payment for Ecosystem Services” (PES) to fund habitat restoration.
- Technology Integration: Widespread use of tools like SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) for patrolling and M-STrIPES for population monitoring.
Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) and Progress
There are 13 recognized TRCs, though the status of tigers varies significantly across three main sub-regions.
| Sub-Region | Member Countries | Status & Trends |
| South Asia | India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh | Significant growth; India and Nepal reached their TX2 goals early. |
| Southeast Asia | Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam | High risk; tigers are “functionally extinct” in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. |
| Amur Region | Russia, China | Stable/Increasing; notable success in the “Land of the Leopard” park. |
Global Tiger Forum (GTF)
The GTF is the only inter-governmental international body established to save the tiger worldwide.
- Headquarters: New Delhi, India.
- Role: It acts as the secretariat for the Global Tiger Initiative and provides technical support to TRCs for census and habitat management.
- Membership: Includes TRCs, non-tiger range countries (e.g., UK), and international NGOs like WWF and IUCN.
India’s Leadership: Project Tiger to IBCA
India currently hosts approximately 75% of the global wild tiger population (estimated at 3,682 tigers as of the 2022 census).
- Project Tiger (1973): Now managed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA): Launched by India in 2023, this mega-alliance aims to protect seven big cats (Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma) across 97 range countries.
- CA|TS (Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards): A set of criteria which allows tiger sites to check if their management will lead to successful tiger conservation. Many Indian reserves are now CA|TS accredited.
Important Facts for UPSC Prelims
- International Tiger Day: Observed annually on July 29.
- M-STrIPES: (Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) A software-based monitoring system used in Indian Tiger Reserves.
- The Dirty Dozen of Poaching: Refers to the illegal trade in tiger parts (bones, skin, claws) primarily driven by demand in traditional medicine.
- St. Petersburg Summit 2.0: Held in Vladivostok (2022), it marked the transition from the first TX2 phase to the current long-term recovery strategy.