PROJECT TIGER
Presentation by- Anushka Maddeshiya
23/MT/09
B.Sc. (hons.) Mathematics
A ‘flagship species’ of India was
declared a National Animal of India.
Habitat: The largest population is in
India, with smaller groups in Bangladesh,
Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar.
India harbours almost 75% of the
world’s wild tiger population.
Distribution of Tiger population in India:
Habitats ranging from the high
mountains, mangrove swamps, and tall
About Tiger
grasslands, to dry and moist deciduous
forests, as well as evergreen and shola
forest systems.
Flagship species is a species chosen to raise support for biodiversity conservation in a given place or social context.
They are also known as charismatic species and are iconic throughout the world due to their unique appeal.
SIGNIFICANCE
Ecological: Tigers are both a
Flagship and Umbrella species.
Economic: Ecotourism and
related industries.
Cultural and spiritual: Symbols of
power, strength.
CHARACTERISTIC
Solitary and territorial animals and an
adult male’s territory may encompass
territories of two to seven females.
Stripes are individually as unique as Umbrella species are species
human fingerprints. that are selected as
representatives of their
Tigers are excellent swimmers. ecosystem when conservation
plans are being made.
INTRODUCTION
India is the world’s largest home for Royal Bengal Tigers.
India hosts more than 70% of the total Tigers in the world. It
is no surprise then that we are also prime targets for tiger
hunters and poachers. To overcome this threat Project Tiger
was launched in 1973 in India.
Since the population of these beautiful big cats is spread
across many states in India, the responsibility of protecting
those falls upon the government. Project Tiger is the
government’s response to this call of duty.
HOW PROJECT TIGER WAS STARTED
IN INDIA?
Back in the early 19th century, There were about 40,000 Royal Bengal
Tigers in India. Within seven decades, Royal Bengal Tiger’s population
dwindled to a mere 1800. It was not only shocking and alarming but
also a reflection of the neglect that was being heaped upon the
National Animal of India. It was an undeniable failure.
In light of the scathing criticism brought on by these stats, the
government looked into the issue and initiated steps to revive the tiger
population in the country. Project Tiger in India was launched on 1st
April 1973 as a major wildlife conservation project in India. It was
launched from the Jim Corbett National Park of Uttarakhand.
The initiative is funded by the Union Govt. of India and administrated
under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is the immediate
supervising agency.
AIM TO START TIGER PROJECT IN
INDIA
The stated aims of Project Tiger were
To identify factors causing a reduction in tiger habitats and
mitigate them through suitable management practices. The
damages already done to the habitat were to be corrected so
that the natural ecosystem can be recovered to the extent
possible.
To maintain a viable tiger population for their economic,
ecological, cultural, and aesthetic significance
WHEN WAS PROJECT TIGER LAUNCHED?
Project Tiger was launched in the year 1973. It was one of the most
important conservation efforts initiated to protect Tigers in India. It was the
first of its kind of Project in India to maintain the population of Tigers in
India and to protect them from Poaching and other threats.
History: Initially, When Project Tiger was rolled out in 1973, nine tiger
reserves encompassing an area of 9,115 sq km were identified to be
brought under special protection. By the late 1980s the number of
protected tiger reserves increases from 9 to 15. And a total area of
24,700 sq. km of forested land was reserved for the Tigers.
By 1984, the number of tigers present in Project Tiger reserves reached above
1100. In the next few years, more and more tiger habitats were added to the
Project Tiger. By the year 1997 there were 23 tiger reserves stretched over an area
of 33,000 sq. km were being protected under Project Tiger in India.
However, even as the range of protected areas continued to expand, the number
of tigers didn’t increase considerably.
Tiger Census (Counting of Tigers)
The first Tiger Census of 2006 projected 1,411 tigers were left in the
country. Since the census methods used were technology-based,
the results were more believable.
The results estimated a total tiger population at 1,411 individuals
ranging from 1,165 to 1,657 adult and sub-adult tigers. 2006 Census
created a second round of stir and debate around tiger
conservation. Protection efforts have increased manifold since
then.
Owing to the renewed sincerity to Tiger conservation, the number of
tigers consistently increased in the next decade. 2014 Tiger Census-
estimated 2,226 Bengal tigers in India and 2018 Tiger Census-
estimated 2,967 Tigers.
Karnataka was the state with the highest tiger population in 2014.
The recorded tiger count in the state was 408 as per the 2014 tiger
census.
But, in 2018 Tiger Census, The crown of the Tiger State of India is
been taken away by Madhya Pradesh with 526 Tigers, whereas
Karnataka and Uttrakhand were second and third in position with
524 and 442 Tigers respectively.
Whereas in 2022 Tiger Census, Madhya Pradesh retained the
crown of Tiger State with 785 Bengal Tiger Population.
The total Tiger Population as per the Tiger Census 2022 is 3,682
Tigers, which was 24% more than the 2018 Census.
Today, Project Tiger looks after 55 tiger reserves spread across
78,735.59 sq. km. of green cover in an effort to conserve the
population of the Royal Bengal Tiger.
PROJECT TIGER’S MANAGEMENT
NTCA administers Project Tiger completely. And for the same
various conservation units have been established consisting
of a field director and a group of technical people to assist.
Various conservation units that have been formed to help
Project Tiger in India are:
Eastern Ghats Conservation Unit
Western Ghats Conservation Unit
Central India Conservation Unit
North-East Conservation Unit
Sariska Conservation Unit
Kaziranga Conservation Unit
Shivalik Terai Conservation Unit
Sunderbans Conservation Unit
CORE-BUFFER STRATEGY IN
PROJECT TIGER
For the sake of efficient management and tiger density-based administration, tiger
reserves are created on the basis of a ‘core-buffer’ strategy.
A particular expanse of land is identified and marked as the ‘core area of the reserve.
These areas are kept free of all human activities. It usually has the legal status of
National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary. No human activity is allowed inside the core area,
including tourism. Even everyday tasks such as grazing and wood collection are
banned.
The buffer areas usually surround the core area and are comparatively less
frequented by the resident wildlife. Hence, limited human interaction here will not
harm their habitat. Hence, it is subjected to ‘conservation-oriented land use’. Certain
everyday activities necessary for daily life and living of surrounding villages are
allowed.
The buffer area serves twin purposes. One, it serves as a habitat supplement to the spillover population of wild
animals from the core area. Two, it becomes a livelihood source for surrounding villages and relieves their impact on
the core zone.
The plan of action for each tiger reserve is drawn upon the following key principles:
Elimination of all human interference from the core area and careful rationalization of activities in the buffer
area
Limiting the habitat management practices to only repair activities for ecosystem damage
Monitoring the floral and faunal changes overtime for research
To counter poaching, wireless communication systems and outstation patrol camps have been deployed within the
tiger reserves. Fire protection is ensured through preventive and control measures. Compensatory developmental
works have improved water availability which in turn betters vegetation. Lush vegetation cover helps in increasing the
tiger prey base.
Village relocation is one of the significant steps as well as a hurdle to reserve management in core zones. While
some villages relocate voluntarily, most others resist giving up their ancestral dwellings. The issue gets even more
sensitive in the case of tribal communities.
The Indian Government passed the Forest Rights Act in 2006 which recognized the right of some forest communities
to their native forest area. Recognition of this right is bound to have a serious implication of tiger conservation
efforts, the extent of which is yet to be determined.
India was facing a huge challenge in the
conservation of Tiger, with only 1200 Tigers
left in the wild, It was a great threat to these
beautiful Big Cat. But a Great Thanks to
NTCA to launch Project Tiger in 1973.
The tiger population now is around 3,000,
which is still not healthy and stable, but
thanks to Project Tiger. It's all because of
efforts of NTCA and Tiger Project Team
Royal Bengal Tigers population is still a
point of concern, but at least it is increasing
and more people are coming together to
conserve Tigers, many people are now aware
of the conservation measures and The success of
participating actively in wildlife Project Tiger
conservation-related activities.
REFERENCES
https://www.insideindianjungles.com
https://www.tigersafariindi.com
https://ntca.gov.in
https://bigcatsindia.com
http://www.nextias.com
https://en.wikipedia.org
