50 Years of the Tiger Project  

                  50 Years of the Tiger Project  Image                                       Source : Twitter   

On April 1, 2023, Project Tiger will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding. Why does the government need to launch Project Tiger? Has Project Tiger achieved its goals and objectives? What is the present-day condition of tigers in India?  and a great deal more is covered in this work of writing.

 

 History of the Tiger Project in India

 

On April 1, 1973, the Indian government initiated the Tiger Project in Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand) with the assistance of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and other environmental organizations. It is a centrally sponsored scheme  (funded by the central government) of the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (a statutory body) is in charge of administering Project Tiger. In accordance with the Wildlife Protection Amendment Act of 2006. 

Amendment In 1900, the global tiger population was around 40000, but it is now less than 4500. Its population is continuously decreasing. That is the concept of conserving and maintaining the tiger species. This is a protection project intended to guarantee the survival of Bengal tigers in their native environments, prevent their extinction, and conserve them. The Project Tiger initiative has succeeded in increasing the population of tigers in India from 1,411 in 2006 to 2,967 in 2019.

 

1. Initial Goals

 

The project's initial objectives were to expand the number of tiger species and to safeguard vulnerable species from hunting, habitat loss, and other dangers. The initiative intended to accomplish these objectives by establishing tiger-protected areas, enhancing anti-poaching initiatives, and raising consciousness among local people about the significance of safeguarding tigers and their habitats.

 

2. A chronology overview

 

• The Tiger Project was set up in 1973 by the Government of India with the assistance of the World Wildlife Fund and other conservation organizations to safeguard the country's vulnerable tiger population. 
• Tiger Census in 1974: In 1974, India performed the first nationwide tiger census, which assessed the tiger population to be around 1,800.
• The Project Tiger initiative was started in 1979 as a nationally funded program with the goal of giving both technical and financial support to tiger reserves in India. The project's goals were to preserve tiger ecological systems, boost tiger populations, and provide opportunities for communities in the area.
• Tiger Reserve Extension in 1993: In the year 1993, the Indian government designated several additional regions as tiger reserves, bringing the country's total number of tiger reserves to 28. The extension was designed to provide more security for the tiger population and the environments they inhabit.
   

 

The Structure of a Tiger Reserve

                The Structure of a Biosphere Reserve                        /Image Source: ResearchGate

 

A Tiger Reserve is an endangered species created especially to safeguard the tiger population and their natural habitats. It is administered by the individual state government's Forest Department in cooperation with local communities, NGOs, and other parties.

Reserve's structure is intended to strike an appropriate balance between the protection of tigers and their natural environment and the growing socioeconomic status of the neighboring communities. To accomplish the Tiger Project's goals, it is critical to keep the sanity of each zone and to guarantee effective management and surveillance.

A standard tiger reserve in India may consist of the following components:
 

• Core Zone: The central zone is designated as a critical tiger refuge under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. It is one of the most important protected tiger refuge regions. It is legally recognized as a national park or wildlife sanctuary. It remained clear of all biological and human disturbances.

 

• Buffer Zone: The buffer zone borders the central zone and acts as a transition zone between the two. Buffer zone objectives Promoting the coexistence of animal and human activity. This zone recognizes the provision of livelihood possibilities, growth, and social and cultural reserves for the local people.

 

• Tourism Zone: The tourism zone is the region of the Tiger Reserve where visitors, as well as tourists, are permitted to access. It is meticulously planned and controlled to cause as little disruption to animals and their habitats as possible. It typically contains marked walking paths, watchtowers, and other visitor amenities.

 

• Administrative Zone: The administrative zone houses the Tiger Reserve's administration and employees. It houses places of employment, living accommodations, and other amenities for forest employees and their family members.

 

• Research Zone: The research zone is a section of the Tiger Reserve where scientists perform research on tigers, their environments, and various other connected topics. It offers important information, including data on tigers' ecosystems, their ecological systems administration, and conservation.

 

 

What is the purpose of the Tiger Project?

 

The Tiger Project, also known as Project Tiger, is a safeguarding program launched by the Indian government in cooperation with different organizations to safeguard and maintain the nation's endangered tiger community.

The Tiger Project's primary objective is to:

 

• Approval of the state's tiger protection plan: The Tiger Project assists state administrations in developing and executing tiger conservation initiatives by providing professional and financial assistance. The project also keeps track of the development of these plans and gives approvals as needed.

 

• Setting normative standards for tiger conservation: The Tiger Program establishes norms and standards for tiger conservation, such as ecosystem management, prey base enhancement, anti-poaching measures, and community involvement.

 

• Providing the infrastructure that protects tiger estimation: Tiger estimation is protected by the infrastructure provided by the Tiger Project, which includes video traps, GPS tags, and qualified people for performing tiger surveys and tracking.

 

• Taking steps to resolve man-wild animal disputes and promote coexistence with residents: The Tiger Project understands the significance of resolving man-wild animal conflicts and works to compensate for crop harm, raise knowledge about the behavior of animals, and promote coexistence with the surrounding communities.

 

• Prepare Annual Report: The Tiger Initiative publishes an annual report on the state of tiger conservation in the nation, containing information on tiger numbers, dangers, conservation efforts, and accomplishments.

 

• Ensure agricultural, livelihood, human intent, and animal reserves: The Tiger Project aims to ensure the long-term interaction of tigers and humans by encouraging wildlife-friendly agricultural practices, providing ecotourism opportunities to people in the area, and maintaining the conservation of critical ecosystems for wildlife.

 

Current Status of the Tiger Project in India

                  53 tiger reserves Image Source :                             GKbooks.in

 

• The latest data available is from the 2018 tiger census, which estimates the total number of tigers in India to be 2,967.

 

• India is home to more than 70% of the world's wild tiger population, with the highest number of tigers found in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand. India is considered a global leader in tiger conservation efforts.

 

• The tiger population in India has been steadily increasing, with an estimated 1,411 tigers in 2006, 1,706 in 2010, and 2,226 in 2014. The 2018 tiger census also showed a significant increase in tiger populations compared to previous years.

 

• The Tiger Project has led to the establishment of 53 tiger reserves in 18 states, covering a total area of 72,749 square kilometers. As many as 23 of these tiger reserves have been recognized internationally by the Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CATS), which are standards notified by the World Wildlife Fund and Global Tiger Initiative. Five of these reserves have also been conferred with the TX2 and Conservation Excellence Awards by a consortium of international bodies.

 

• The All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) is a comprehensive survey conducted every four years to estimate the tiger population in India. The fifth cycle of the AITE is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed in 2023.

 

The Tiger Project in India has been a huge achievement, with the tiger population growing by more than 50% in just the last decade. M-STrIPES technology has significantly enhanced monitoring and enforcement operations. On July 29th, we commemorate National Tiger Day. Comprehensive monitoring and assessment, long-term strategy creation, efficient enforcement of poaching laws, and better habitat management all played crucial roles in accomplishing this remarkable accomplishment. 

Looking forwards, the Tiger Project's future appears bright, with continuing efforts to better tiger conservation measures, community involvement, and sustained innovation. The achievement of India in conserving its endangered tiger population serves as an inspiration for other nations confronting similar difficulties in safeguarding their own endangered species.