In 2019, on Global Tiger Day, the Prime Minister of India announced the results of the fourth cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation, carried out in 2018. The census indicated a significant increase in the tiger population within India.
The Results of the Tiger Census
According to the data released, India’s tiger count rose from 2,226 in 2014 to 2,967 in 2018, marking an increase of 741 tigers or 33% within four years. Notably, this is the largest ever recorded surge in numbers and percentage since the introduction of the four-yearly census using camera traps and the capture-mark-recapture method in 2006. Additionally, India achieved this growth four years ahead of its 2022 deadline set for doubling the tiger population.
The Importance of Tiger Conservation
Tigers are apex predators and often referred to as “umbrella species,” meaning that their conservation indirectly protects many other species residing within the same region. The assessment of tiger habitats and their prey during the census helps gauge the success or failure of conservation efforts. Considering more than 80% of the world’s wild tigers live in India, constant monitoring of their population is crucial.
Tigers in India
India hosts the majority of the world’s 3,500 tigers scattered across several countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russian Federation, Thailand, and Vietnam. Tiger populations primarily reside within five Indian landscapes: Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains, Central Indian Landscape and Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats, North-East Hills and Brahmaputra Plains, and the Sundarbans.
Key Findings of the Survey
The survey highlighted several key aspects, such as top performers and areas requiring more focused conservation efforts.
Census Results: Increase and Decrease in Tiger Population
The fourth cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation brought forth some encouraging figures and concerning declines. Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of tigers (526), followed by Karnataka (524) and Uttarakhand (442). The tiger population grew the most in Madhya Pradesh by 71%, then Maharashtra by 64%, and finally Karnataka by 29%. However, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram saw a decline in their tiger populations, with Chhattisgarh reporting a significant dip – from 46 tigers in 2014 to 19 in 2018. The decrease can be attributed to law and order issues stemming from Maoist insurgency in large parts of the state.
| State | Number of Tigers in 2014 | Number of Tigers in 2018 | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madhya Pradesh | 455 | 526 | +15.5% |
| Karnataka | 406 | 524 | +29% |
| Uttarakhand | 340 | 442 | +30% |
| Chhattisgarh | 46 | 19 | -58.6% |
| Mizoram | Data unavailable | Decline | Data unavailable |
Tiger Sanctuaries and Their Performance
Alongside the tiger census, an assessment of India’s 50 tiger sanctuaries was released. Madhya Pradesh’s Pench Sanctuary and Kerala’s Periyar sanctuary earned the title of the best-managed tiger reserves in the country. The Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu demonstrated the “maximum improvement” since 2014. More conservation efforts are needed in the “critically vulnerable” Northeast hills, Odisha, and reserves such as Dampa (Mizoram) and Rajaji (Uttarakhand), which reported the lowest tiger counts. Notably, no tigers were found in the Buxa (West Bengal), Palamau (Jharkhand), and Dampa (Mizoram) reserves.
About Global Tiger Day
The first Global Tiger Day was observed in 2010 at the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia. Here, all 13 tiger range countries committed to doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022 under the Global Tiger Recovery Plan. This annual event takes place on July 29th.
