Project Tiger is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment. It was launched in 1973 for in-situ conservation of wild tigers in designated tiger reserves.

• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has an overarching supervisory role, performing functions as provided under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA): Protecting Tigers, Lions, Leopards, and Other Big Cats

• Background: In 2019, PM Modi had called for an alliance of Global Leaders against poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Asi

• Mega global alliance of 97 countries which will focus on protection and conservation of 7 major big cats of the world – tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs, pumas, and jaguars.
• Objective: To develop best practices and guidelines to prevent poaching and illegal wildlife trade. 
• Assured Financial Support: 800 crore over five years.

Successes of Project Tiger: Increased Tiger Population, Biodiversity Protection

• Increase in the population of tigers: increasing from 1,411 in 2006 to 3,167 in 2022 due to effective conservation & anti-poaching measures. 

• For eg. 54 Tiger reserves established, and Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) set up for anti-poaching operations. 

• • Achievement of TX2 goal: India achieved the target of doubling tiger population by 2022, four years ahead of St. Petersburg Declaration’s target.

• Protection of livelihood: Tiger reserves provide livelihood opportunities to people in the form of eco-tourism and ancillary activities. 

• For eg, The economy of urban and semi urban areas like Sawai Madhopur, Ramnagar, etc. are dependent on tiger tourism.

• Protection of Biodiversity: As Tigers are keystone species and are at the top of the food chain, protection of tiger through ‘project tiger’ has also protected the overall biodiversity and food-chain.

• Innovative Use of technology: For eg. M-STrIPES (software-based monitoring system), E-Bird project (drone camera surveillance) etc.

TIGER

• Conservation status: IUCN – Endangered, CITES – Appendix I, WPA, 1972 – Schedule I.
• Population in India: 3167 (Tiger census, 2022)  Largest in the world (75% of total Tiger population). Highest in MP, followed by Karnataka.
• Conservation programme in India: Project Tiger, 1973
• Conservation programme at global level: Global Conservation Assured/Tiger Standards (CA/TS), St. Petersburg Declaration (TX2), Global Tiger Forum (GTF), Global Tiger Initiative (GTI).

Challenges Faced by Project Tiger: Poaching, Habitat Loss, Human-Wildlife Conflict

• Poaching: Tigers are poached for their skins, bones, and other body parts by illegal hunters and traders.

• NTCA reported that a total of 55 tigers were poached in India in 2023 itself.

• Habitat Loss: Deforestation, mining, agriculture, and infrastructure fragment tigers’ habitats, reducing genetic diversity and fragmentation of populations.

• According to the Wildlife Institute of India, tiger habitats in India have reduced by 45% between 2006 and 2021 due to infrastructure development.

• Human-Wildlife Conflict & displacement of people: Increased human populations and forest encroachment cause conflict between humans and tigers, causing retaliation, injuries, and economic losses.

• As per the report titled ‘India’s Tiger Reserves: Tribals Get Out, Tourists Welcome’, Project Tiger is set to displace a minimum of 5.5 lakh tribals and forest dwellers in India.

• Funding and Infrastructure:

• CAG highlighted the inadequate allocation of funds and delays in release of funds to tiger reserves.

• Climate Change: Increases the risk of diseases and natural disasters 🡺affects tigers and their habitats (For eg. Gir national park and Babesiosis outbreak in Asiatic Lions).

WAY FORWARD

• Strengthening anti-poaching measures: Improving surveillance and enforcement to prevent tiger poaching, deter illegal trade, while coordinating with agencies and countries to curb illegal trade in tiger parts and products 🡺For e.g.  Strengthen Cooperation with CITES and transboundary conservation with Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh etc.

• Expanding and connecting habitats: Project Tiger needs to identify and secure more areas and create corridors that can facilitate their free movement and gene flow. 

• Reducing human-wildlife conflict: Implementing measures to mitigate conflict between humans and tigers, including compensation, barriers, coexistence, and community engagement in conservation efforts.

• Adapting to climate change: Monitoring impact of climate change climate on tigers and their habitats, develop adaptive management strategies, 🡺 For e.g., Promote low-carbon development and green practices to reduce emissions.

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