Recently, the Prime Minister of India unveiled the data from the fifth cycle of India’s Tiger Census 2022, highlighting a 6.7% rise in the count over the past four years. The census encompassed forested habitats across 20 Indian states, with camera traps installed at 32,588 locations and generating over 47 million photographs. This event coincided with the inauguration of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) in Mysuru, Karnataka. The IBCA marked the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
About the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
The IBCA was established to conserve seven major cat species on our planet – Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma. The alliance boasts a membership of 97 countries, all home to these big cats, along with other interested parties. Among its functions are advocacy, partnerships, capacity building, eco-tourism, and finance tapping. It also aims to disseminate information and increase awareness among its members.
Highlights of the Tiger Census
The tiger population in India has increased by 200 from 2018 to 2022, currently standing at 3,167. However, the growth rate has decelerated to 6.7% in the last four years, a significant drop from the 33% seen between 2014 and 2018. The census noted an augmentation in the tiger population in the Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains but a decline in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana. Meanwhile, the North East Hills and Brahmaputra Plains reported 194 tigers via camera traps. Uniquely, the region’s Nilgiri cluster has the world’s largest tiger population, substantially contributing to the colonization of tigers in neighboring areas. Conversely, the Western Ghats experienced a drop in tiger numbers, particularly in the Wayanad landscape and the Biligiriranga Hills.
Importance of Tiger Conservation
Tigers, as apex predators, play a critical role in preserving the ecological balance of their habitats by regulating prey populations. They also draw tourists, generating revenue through eco-tourism that can bolster local communities and economies. Tigers have significant cultural connotations in several cultures and religions and remain crucial subjects of scientific research to protect other species in their ecosystems. As an indicator species, their conservation is paramount for maintaining ecosystem health and mitigating climate change effects.
National Tiger Census in India
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) conducts the national tiger census every four years in collaboration with state forest departments, conservation NGOs, and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). This extensive survey employs a double sampling method based on ground-based surveys and camera-trap images.
About Tigers
The tiger, scientifically known as Panthera tigris, resides in diverse climates, from Siberian temperate forests to subtropical and tropical forests on the Indian subcontinent and Sumatra. It is the largest cat species and belongs to the genus Panthera. Traditionally, eight tiger subspecies have been recognized, although three are extinct now. Threats to tigers include habitat fragmentation, destruction, and poaching.
Tiger Reserves in India
India hosts 53 tiger reserves according to the NTCA. The largest is the Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh, while the smallest is the Orang tiger reserve in Assam.
Conservation Steps Undertaken
Project Tiger, an initiative by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), was launched in 1973. It works towards providing safe havens for tigers within the country’s national parks. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body under the MoEFCC, was constituted in 2005 based on the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force. The Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards is a set of criteria to ensure that management practices lead to successful tiger conservation.
