What is Project Tiger?
Historical Background
Key Points
10 points- 1.
Launched in 1973, initially covering 9 tiger reserves, now expanded to 54 tiger reserves across 18 states.
- 2.
Aims to ensure a viable population of Bengal tigers in their natural habitats and preserve areas of biological importance as a natural heritage.
- 3.
Focuses on habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and scientific management of tiger populations.
- 4.
Provides financial and technical assistance to tiger reserve states for conservation activities.
- 5.
Managed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- 6.
Employs a 'core-buffer' strategy for tiger reserve management, with core areas being inviolate and buffer zones allowing for regulated human activities.
- 7.
India is home to approximately 70% of the world's wild tiger population.
- 8.
A comprehensive tiger census (Status of Tigers in India) is conducted every four years, using camera traps and DNA analysis. The 2022 census estimated 3,682 tigers (average).
- 9.
M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) is a software-based monitoring system used in tiger reserves.
- 10.
Contributed significantly to the global Tx2 goal (doubling tiger population by 2022), which India achieved ahead of schedule.
Visual Insights
Evolution of Project Tiger
Timeline showing the key events and developments in Project Tiger.
Project Tiger has been instrumental in conserving tiger populations in India, but faces ongoing challenges.
- 1973Launch of Project Tiger with 9 tiger reserves.
- 2010St. Petersburg Tiger Summit sets the goal to double tiger population by 2022.
- 2022India achieves the target of doubling its tiger population ahead of schedule.
- 2023India has 53 tiger reserves covering approximately 75,000 square kilometers.
- 2026Madhya Pradesh government submits a report on tiger deaths, attributing some to electrocution.
Recent Developments
5 developmentsIndia achieved the Tx2 goal (doubling tiger population) ahead of the 2022 deadline.
Expansion of the network of tiger reserves, with the latest being Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan (54th).
Increased focus on community participation and eco-development to reduce human-wildlife conflict in buffer zones.
Challenges include habitat fragmentation, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change impacts on habitats.
Introduction of Cheetahs in Kuno National Park is a related large carnivore reintroduction effort.