The Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha recently witnessed the death of a rare black tiger. The occurrence made headlines given Similipal has the highest rate of black tiger sightings globally. The death could significantly impact the already sparse population of black tigers, particularly affecting their breeding cycle in the region.
Understanding the Rarity of Black Tigers
Black Tigers are a unique color variant of the Bengal tiger, and they are not a distinct species or subspecies. Their dark or black coat is due to a mutation in the Transmembrane Aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep) gene. This phenomenon is referred to as pseudo melanistic or false colored, meaning the tiger’s dark skin/hair is caused by a higher-than-normal level of melanin. Studies indicate that there is a 60% chance a tiger from Similipal will have this mutant gene.
The Role of Isolation on Color Variation
The tigers in the Similipal Tiger Reserve are an isolated population in eastern India with limited gene flow between them and other tiger populations. This isolation has led to genetically related individuals mating with each other for many generations, resulting in inbreeding. Such restricted and inbred populations are susceptible to extinction even over short periods, posing significant implications for tiger conservation.
The Importance of Similipal Tiger Reserve
Similipal was formally designated as a tiger reserve in 1956 and brought under Project Tiger in 1973. The Government of India declared it a biosphere reserve in June 1994, and UNESCO recognized it as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserve in 2009. This reserve forms a part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, which includes three protected areas: Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadagarh Wildlife sanctuary, and Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary. It boasts a diverse range of wild animals along with several protected areas in Odisha.
Tiger Conservation Efforts in India
The Indian Government initiated Project Tiger in 1973 as a dedicated initiative to protect tigers across the nation’s national parks. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, was established in 2005 based on the Tiger Task Force’s recommendations. The Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS) is a set of criteria allowing tiger sites to check their management effectiveness for successful tiger conservation.
Insight into Civil Services Examination Related Questions
Certain previous year questions from the UPSC Civil Services Examination highlight the relevance of these protected areas and tiger reserves. They emphasize the importance of understanding the geographical significance of these locations, the diversity they offer, and their role in wildlife conservation. Notably, questions regarding the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat” and identification of declared Tiger Reserves have been previously asked.
