PROJECT TIGER

Dr. R. Prasad
Dept. of Zoology
Eastern Karbi Anglong College
 Introduction
 Tiger (Panthera tigris) has been the integral part to the life and legend of
mankind. The tiger has been feared and revered, hunted and worshiped; it has
found its way into folklore and lullabies, books of worship, popular fiction and
innumerable stories of heroism, bravery and adventure.

 At present the tiger is an endangered species and has found its way in the Red
Data Book. The tiger population has been reduced from 40,000 to 1,827 by 1972,
mainly due to hunting, habitat loss due to deforestation and taming the rivers for
human needs.

 Considering the fast decline of the tiger population, a special task force was set up
in 1970 by the Indian Board for Wildlife to prepare an action plan to conserve the
population of tiger in the country. As a result, in 1st April, 1973, Project Tiger was
launched by the Government of India during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's
tenure.

 During the tiger census of 2006, a new methodology was used extrapolating site-
specific densities of tigers, their co-predators and prey derived from camera trap
and sign surveys using GIS. Based on the result of these surveys, the total tiger
population was estimated at 1,411 individuals ranging from 1,165 to 1,657 adult
and sub-adult tigers of more than 1.5 years of age. Owing to the project, the
number of tigers increased to 2,603–3,346 individuals by 2018.
Objectives of Project Tiger:

 To ensure maintenance of a viable population of tigers in India for scientific,

economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values.

 To preserve, for all times, areas of biological importance as a national heritage

for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people.

Tiger Reserves was based on the following principles:

1. Elimination of all forms of human exploitation and disturbance from the core
and rationalisation of such activities in the buffer.

2. Limitation of habitat management to repair damage done by man with the aim
of restoring the ecosystem as close to its natural functioning as possible.

3. Researching facts about habitat and wild animals and carefully monitoring
changes in flora and fauna.

Based on the data by Wildlife Insitute of India, there are 51 Tiger

Reserves in India (as of May 2021).
The geographical location of Tiger Reserves in India
 Threats to Tiger Population
The Tigers are seen largely in the tropical forests of Asia. According to the IUCN Red list, the tiger is
listed as an endangered animal. The tigers are killed for skins, bones, and meat and the major threat
faced by this species are:

1. Man- animal conflict

Due to anthropogenic activities, the tiger population has lost its habitat. The loss of habitat resulted in
the reduction of their prey species. They started coming out of the forest and come to the village in
search of prey. Tiger those who came in search of its prey they attacked domestic animals, and human
beings. In vengeance, tigers are often killed by angry human beings.

2. Hunting, illegal trade and poaching

Hunting of tigers is a huge issue faced by the tiger population from ancient times. Hunting stands as a
symbol of status. The people used the bones, teeth of the tiger for commercial purposes which can
also be named as illegal trade. The body parts are used for medicinal purposes also. This has caused
the utmost decline in tiger populations since 1930. Poaching is the next threat to the leftover tiger
population.

3. Anthropogenic Activities
The anthropogenic destructive activities that have caused the devastation of habitat and prey species
are the main long-term threats to the continuation of the declining tiger population in the country.
Man and animals compete for finding their habitat. Tigers need large territories. Along with the
habitat, tigers have also experienced a severe loss of prey species populations such as antelopes and
deer. The man has acquired the forest land for human settlements and industrial activities. This has
ultimately resulted in complete destruction of animal habitats.
 The Tiger Task Force
 On the basis of the recommendations of the National Board for Wildlife chaired by the Prime
Minister on 17th March, 2005, a Task Force was setup to look into the problems of tiger
conservation in the country and to suggest measures for improvement. The recommendations
requiring immediate attention have been accepted for implementation, which interalia include
strengthening of Project Tiger by giving it statutory as well as administrative powers. Further, it
has also been recommended that the report relating to Project Tiger should annually be sent to
Parliament so that the commitment to the Project Tiger is reviewed from time to time.

 Tiger is our national animal which is widely present across the forest and non-forest natural
habitats in 17 States throughout the country. Owing to its ecological position as a flagship
species, the conservation status of tiger in our natural ecosystem signifies the status of their
health. Good health of these ecosystems in turn signifies that the quality of ecological services
rendered by them including ensuring water security, critical to our survival, and sustainable
development, is optimum.

 This, unfortunately, is not the case; degradation and fragmentation of forests and non forest
natural areas across the length and breadth of our country reflect the decline in ecological
services seen in the form of poor water regime and loss of our unique biodiversity. Such decline
has also undermined the productivity of farm and livestock of our people inhabiting the forested
regions aggravating their impoverishment. The need for conservation of tiger must therefore be
seen in the light of these imperatives for the care of our forests and other ecosystems, which
call for an integrated holistic approach for managing land uses and mainstream development
initiatives in the forested regions. Since the inception of Project Tiger in the early seventies, the
Government of India has invested considerably in the protection and conservation of tiger.
 Tiger Conservation Strategies
Some of the conservation strategies are:
(a) Anti-poaching activities: (antipoaching squad/Tiger Protection Force
deployment)
(b) Strengthening of infrastructure within Tiger Reserves.
(c) Habitat improvement and water development.
(d) Addressing man-animal conflict (ensuring uniform, timely compensation
for human deaths due to wild animals, livestock depredation by
carnivores, crop depredation by wild ungulates)
(e) Rehabilitation of traditional hunting tribes living around tiger reserves.
(f) The tiger reserves are required to carry out the day to day monitoring of
wild animals using the refined process in the GIS domain, which would
enable “forecasting” vis-à vis wildlife protection.
(g) Fostering Eco-Tourism in Tiger Reserves.
 Benefits of Project Tiger
The Project Tiger has put the tiger on a certain course of revival from the edge of

destruction. The population of tigers in the country has been increased

considerably after the establishment of the project. It has contributed to

numerous indescribable environmental profits to society. The project has opened

a wide door of tourism and thereby employment opportunities. This initiative has

brought the participation of local people and their participation has made the

habitat to revive.

Dr. R. Prasad, EKAC