Syllabus
GS Paper III – Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Context
The National Tiger Conservation Authority recently directed states to initiate the process of relocating communities from the core areas of tiger reserves.
Tiger Conservation in India
Introduction
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has recently issued instructions to state governments to begin relocating communities residing in the core areas of tiger reserves. This move aims to enhance wildlife conservation efforts and protect the tiger population by minimizing human-wildlife conflict and reducing pressure on critical habitats. Core areas of tiger reserves are designated for the long-term conservation of tigers and other endangered species, where human activities are restricted. By relocating these communities, the NTCA seeks to create undisturbed habitats, crucial for ensuring the survival of tigers and promoting ecological balance in protected areas.
About Tiger
The tiger is a top predator and sits at the apex of the food chain, making its presence a critical indicator of the well-being of the ecosystem. As both a flagship and umbrella species, tigers play a dual role in conservation efforts. As a flagship species, they symbolize conservation importance, and as an umbrella species, their protection leads to the conservation of other species sharing their habitat. India is home to around 75% of the global tiger population, with the current tiger population in the country standing at approximately 3,700. The largest tiger population is found in Madhya Pradesh (785), followed by Karnataka (563), Uttarakhand (560), and Maharashtra (444). Jim Corbett National Park harbors the highest number of tigers (260), followed by Bandipur (150), Nagarhole (141), and Bandhavgarh (135). The tiger is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, underscoring the need for sustained conservation efforts to protect this iconic species.
Tiger conservation initiatives in India
- Project Tiger:
- Launched by the central government on April 1, 1973, with the objective of preserving the tiger population.
- The project was first implemented in Jim Corbett National Park.
- It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.
- National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):
- Established in 2005 as a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change to oversee and guide tiger conservation efforts.
- Responsible for managing the country’s tiger reserves.
- Tiger Reserves:
- Created under Project Tiger in 1973 and administered by the NTCA.
- As of August 2024, there are 55 tiger reserves in India.
- The largest tiger reserve in the country is Nagarjuna Sagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh, covering 3,296.31 sq. km.
- Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam is the second largest, spanning 2,837.1 sq. km.
- Tiger Census: Conducted every four years by the NTCA, in collaboration with state forest departments and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
- MSTrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers: Intensive Protection and Ecological Status): A monitoring system that creates a comprehensive database and analyzes data to inform better management of tiger reserves.
- International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA): An international initiative to conserve seven large cats: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.
- Tiger Corridors: These corridors allow tigers to move freely between protected areas, facilitating genetic diversity and species survival.
Read here the tiger reserves in news
Importance of Tiger Conservation
- Balancing Ecosystems: As apex predators, tigers play a critical role in regulating prey populations, helping to sustain a balanced and healthy ecosystem.
- Biodiversity Protection: Conserving tigers ensures the protection of a wide array of other species within their habitats, as their presence supports the survival of diverse flora and fauna.
- Habitat Conservation: Efforts to protect tigers have led to the preservation of various ecosystems, including sub-Himalayan forests, tropical rainforests, savannahs, and mangroves.
- Boosting Ecotourism: Tiger reserves attract global visitors, contributing to significant revenue generation for local communities and boosting the national economy.
- Sustainable Livelihoods: Ecotourism offers alternative income sources for local communities, reducing their reliance on activities harmful to tiger habitats, promoting sustainable development.
- National Identity: The tiger symbolizes India’s rich biodiversity and cultural legacy, representing qualities of strength, courage, and natural beauty.
Negative Impacts of Tiger Conservation Plans
- Impact on Other Species: Modifying habitats to support tiger populations does not always benefit other species that share the same habitat, potentially causing imbalance.
- Extinction of Caracal: The rare caracal, native to open savannahs and rocky terrains, disappeared from Sariska Tiger Reserve in the early 2000s due to the introduction of the invasive tree species Vilayati Kikar.
- Decline of Antelope: Neglect of microhabitats like riverine forests near perennial streams led to the decline of species such as the four-horned antelope.
- Ecological Alteration: The construction of multiple artificial waterholes for improving tiger visibility increased soil moisture in typically dry forests, altering the natural vegetation patterns.
- Social Impacts: Local populations have expressed resentment due to the loss of access to resources and livelihoods once tiger reserves are established.
- Loss of Identity: Residents of the newly established tiger reserves were effectively turned into illegal inhabitants overnight, leading to displacement and loss of traditional lands.
- Legal Conflicts: Contradictions between the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and the Forest Rights Act (2006) create legal ambiguities, weakening conservation efforts within protected areas.
- NTCA’s Directive on Critical Tiger Habitats: The National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) directive to declare critical tiger habitats has been seen as a violation of the Forest Rights Act, raising concerns over the rights of forest-dependent communities.
Key Challenges in Tiger Conservation
- Development Challenges: Habitat fragmentation due to the proliferation of highways, dams, and industrial projects poses a significant threat to several tiger reserves.
- River Interlinking Impact: The Ken-Betwa River Interlinking Project will submerge approximately 58 sq. km of savannah in Panna Tiger Reserve, impacting the habitat.
- Hydroelectric Projects: Hydropower initiatives near Dibang Tiger Reserve are expected to disrupt tiger movements and affect the surrounding ecosystem.
- Unplanned Development: Unregulated growth risks creating isolated habitat islands, which are unsustainable for large carnivores like tigers and other wildlife species.
- Rural to Urban Transformation: Rapid urbanization from rural areas is impacting biodiversity, including the vital habitats of tigers.
- Urban Expansion: The encroachment of suburban developments is increasingly encircling not only tiger reserves but also other protected areas, posing long-term threats.
- Loss of Agricultural Buffer Zones: Agricultural lands, which once acted as buffer zones facilitating wildlife movement between forests and cities, are rapidly disappearing, disrupting wildlife dispersal.
- Inadequate Resettlements: Large-scale evictions of communities without consideration for socio-cultural, ecological, and economic factors result in unsustainable resettlements, further complicating conservation efforts.
Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability of Tiger Conservation
- Holistic Approach to Sustainability: Consider both social perspectives and ecological factors in tiger conservation efforts, ensuring a balanced and integrated approach to long-term sustainability.
- Enhanced Relocation Packages: Improve relocation packages for displaced communities, taking into account their evolving livelihood needs and ensuring economic security.
- Greater Involvement of Local Tribes: Actively engage and incorporate local tribal communities in wildlife management and conservation practices, providing them with employment opportunities and roles in ecosystem management.
- Equitable Tourism Revenue Sharing: Ensure that a portion of the tourism revenue generated from tiger reserves is shared with local villages, promoting inclusive growth and encouraging community participation in conservation efforts.
Conclusion
The recent directive by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to relocate communities from core areas of tiger reserves reflects a crucial step toward strengthening tiger conservation efforts. However, a balanced approach is essential to ensure both ecological protection and the social welfare of affected communities. Effective implementation should involve enhanced relocation packages, sustainable livelihood opportunities, and community participation in wildlife management. By aligning conservation goals with human needs, India can protect its tiger population while fostering social inclusion and ensuring the long-term sustainability of both biodiversity and local livelihoods.
Reference: HT
Related PYQ
How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act,2002 helpful in the conservation of flora and fauna? [UPSC CSE – 2017 Mains]
Practice Question
Discuss the current status of tiger conservation in India, highlighting the recent trends in tiger population. Analyze the challenges faced in maintaining sustainable habitats for tigers and suggest measures to improve conservation efforts. [250 words]
Guidelines to Answer
- Introduction:
- Briefly introduce the significance of tigers in India and their conservation status. Mention the key finding of rising tiger numbers.
- Current Status:
- Discuss the statistics on tiger population growth in recent years.
- Reference the article’s insights regarding deteriorating habitats despite increased numbers.
- Challenges:
- Identify key challenges impacting tiger habitats, such as urbanization, deforestation, and human-wildlife conflict.
- Highlight the implications of habitat degradation on tiger populations.
- Suggestions for Improvement:
- Propose measures to enhance habitat protection, including policy reforms, community involvement, and sustainable land use practices.
- Suggest promoting ecotourism and financial incentives for local communities to support conservation.
- Conclusion:
- Summarize the need for a holistic approach to tiger conservation that balances population growth with habitat sustainability.
- Emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts involving government, local communities, and conservation organizations.