Minister Reviews Human-Wildlife Conflict, Project Cheetah Progress
Environment Minister reviews strategies for human-wildlife conflict and Project Cheetah expansion.
Photo by Luan Fonseca
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav recently chaired high-level meetings at the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve to review critical wildlife conservation initiatives, including the expansion of Project Cheetah and measures to address human-wildlife conflict (HWC). The 28th meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the 22nd Steering Committee meeting of Project Elephant brought together experts to discuss progress and future strategies. The Minister underscored the importance of a science-based, landscape-level approach, community participation, and inter-State coordination to effectively manage HWC.
A three-pronged strategy for human-tiger conflict and the 'Management of Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves' project were highlighted. Additionally, regional action plans for elephant conservation in southern and northeastern India were reviewed. These discussions are vital for India's globally recognized conservation model, aiming to balance wildlife protection with the well-being of human communities.
Key Facts
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired high-level meetings at Sundarbans Tiger Reserve.
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) appraised the expansion of Project Cheetah.
Measures to address human-wildlife conflict (HWC) were reviewed.
28th meeting of the NTCA and 22nd Steering Committee meeting of Project Elephant took place.
Emphasis on science-based management, landscape-level planning, community participation, and inter-State coordination for HWC.
A three-pronged strategy for human-tiger conflict was highlighted.
Project 'Management of Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves' was discussed.
Regional action plans for elephant conservation in southern and northeastern India were reviewed.
UPSC Exam Angles
Statutory bodies and their mandates (NTCA, Project Elephant Steering Committee)
Major wildlife conservation projects (Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Project Cheetah)
Challenges and mitigation strategies for Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC)
Legal frameworks for wildlife protection (Wildlife Protection Act, 1972)
Conservation approaches (landscape-level, community participation, inter-State coordination)
Geographical significance of protected areas (Sundarbans Tiger Reserve)
Visual Insights
Key Wildlife Conservation Sites & HWC Hotspots in India (Dec 2025)
This map highlights the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, where the review meeting took place, along with Kuno National Park and potential future sites for Project Cheetah expansion. It also indicates regions generally prone to Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC).
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India's Flagship Species Conservation Status (as of Dec 2025)
A snapshot of key statistics for India's major conservation projects, reflecting the progress and scale of efforts reviewed by the Minister.
- Tiger Population (All India Tiger Estimation)
- 3,682+33% (since 2018)
- Number of Tiger Reserves
- 54+1 (since 2023)
- Elephant Population (All India Elephant Estimation)
- 29,964Stable (since 2017)
- Cheetahs in India (Estimated Live Population)
- ~20-25Initial 20 + 4 cubs, with mortalities
India is home to ~75% of the world's wild tiger population. This figure from the 2022 estimation (released 2023) reflects significant conservation success under Project Tiger and NTCA.
The network of Tiger Reserves is the backbone of tiger conservation. Dholpur-Karauli (Rajasthan) was declared the 54th TR in 2023. The Minister's review at Sundarbans (one of the 54) underscores their importance.
India holds over 60% of the wild Asian elephant population. This 2017 figure is the latest official estimate, with the next census due. Project Elephant aims to protect this National Heritage Animal and its habitats.
Following reintroduction from Namibia (8 in Sept 2022) and South Africa (12 in Feb 2023), and birth of 4 cubs in March 2023. Ongoing monitoring and management are crucial as the project expands to new sites.
More Information
Background
India has a long history of wildlife conservation, formalized with the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Major initiatives like Project Tiger (1973) and Project Elephant (1992) have been instrumental in protecting flagship species. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was established in 2006 as a statutory body to strengthen tiger conservation.
Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) has emerged as a critical challenge, intensifying with habitat fragmentation and increasing human populations near forest areas. The recent reintroduction of Cheetahs under Project Cheetah (2022) marks a significant step in restoring a lost species.
Latest Developments
The Union Environment Minister recently reviewed Project Cheetah's progress and HWC mitigation strategies at the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve. Key meetings included the 28th NTCA and 22nd Project Elephant Steering Committee.
The discussions emphasized a science-based, landscape-level approach, community participation, and inter-State coordination for HWC. Specific strategies like a 'three-pronged strategy' for human-tiger conflict and the 'Management of Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves' project were highlighted, alongside regional action plans for elephant conservation.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): 1. It is a statutory body established under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. 2. It is chaired by the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 3. Its mandate includes approving Project Tiger plans prepared by State Governments and evaluating tiger reserves. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
All three statements are correct. The NTCA was constituted under Section 38 L (1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006. It is indeed chaired by the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and its functions include approving management plans for tiger reserves and evaluating their status.
2. In the context of Project Cheetah in India, consider the following statements: 1. Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952 due to hunting and habitat loss. 2. The reintroduction program primarily aims to establish a viable cheetah metapopulation in India to restore their ecological role. 3. The initial reintroduction sites are located exclusively in the Western Ghats region due to their extensive grassland ecosystems. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is correct; the Asiatic cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952. Statement 2 is correct; the project aims to establish a self-sustaining population. Statement 3 is incorrect; the initial reintroduction sites, such as Kuno National Park, are located in Madhya Pradesh, which is part of Central India, not the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats are known for evergreen forests, not primarily extensive grasslands suitable for cheetahs.
3. Which of the following statements correctly differentiates Project Elephant from Project Tiger in India? 1. Project Tiger is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, while Project Elephant is a Central Sector Scheme. 2. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body, whereas the Steering Committee of Project Elephant is an advisory body. 3. Project Tiger focuses exclusively on tiger conservation within designated Tiger Reserves, while Project Elephant addresses conservation of elephants across their entire range, including outside protected areas. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is incorrect. Both Project Tiger and Project Elephant are Centrally Sponsored Schemes, meaning funding is shared between the Central and State governments. Statement 2 is correct. NTCA is a statutory body under the WPA, 1972, while the Project Elephant Steering Committee is an advisory body. Statement 3 is correct. While Project Tiger primarily focuses on designated Tiger Reserves, the 'Management of Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves' project is a recent initiative to address tiger presence beyond these areas. Project Elephant, by its nature, has always focused on the wider elephant range, including corridors and human-dominated landscapes, given elephants' migratory patterns.
4. In the context of mitigating Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) in India, consider the following strategies: 1. Implementing a science-based, landscape-level approach for habitat management. 2. Promoting community participation through awareness campaigns and alternative livelihood options. 3. Enhancing inter-State coordination for managing transboundary wildlife populations and conflict zones. 4. Mandating the relocation of all human settlements from buffer zones of protected areas. Which of the strategies mentioned above are emphasized for effective HWC management, as per recent discussions?
- A.1, 2 and 3 only
- B.2, 3 and 4 only
- C.1 and 4 only
- D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statements 1, 2, and 3 are directly mentioned in the news summary as emphasized strategies for effective HWC management. A science-based, landscape-level approach, community participation, and inter-State coordination are key pillars. Statement 4 is incorrect. While voluntary relocation from core areas occurs, mandating relocation from all buffer zones is not a general or emphasized strategy for HWC mitigation; rather, coexistence strategies are preferred in buffer zones and corridors.
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