LATEST TIGER CENSUS IN THE COUNTRY

LATEST TIGER CENSUS IN THE COUNTRY I  RACE IAS : Best UPSC Coaching institute in Lucknow I Current Affairs

 

Mains Exam : General Studies 3

(Environment Conservation)

Why in News

  • According to the latest tiger census data released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the number of tigers in India is set to reach 3,167 in the year 2022.
  • This figure of tiger numbers shows a significant increase from the previous census figures of 1,411 in 2006, 1,706 in 2010, 2,226 in 2014 and 2,967 in 2018.

Important facts:

  • On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger, the tiger numbers were announced by the Prime Minister and the Summary Report of the All India Tiger Estimation (Fifth Cycle) was released.
  • The Prime Minister launched the 'International Big Cat Alliance' to mark the completion of 50 years of 'Project Tiger'.
  • The aim of this alliance is to protect and conserve seven major big cats across the world including tigers and lions.
  • The International Big Cat Alliance will focus on the conservation of the world's seven major big cats including the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah.
  • The Prime Minister also released a booklet titled 'AmritKaalKa Tiger Vision', which outlines the vision for tiger conservation over the next 25 years.
  • India has 3,167 tigers in 2022, up from 2,967 in 2018 and 2,226 in 2014, according to the latest tiger census estimates.
  • India has about 75 per cent of the world's tiger population.
  • According to the Tiger Census, the Shivalik Hills and the Ganges floodplains have seen the highest growth in tiger population, followed by Central India, the North Eastern hills, the Brahmaputra floodplains and the Sundarbans.
  • According to statistics, there has been a decline in the number of tigers in the Western Ghats.
  • National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) conducts national assessment of tiger status, co-predators, prey and their habitat every 4 years since 2006 in collaboration with state forest departments, NGOs and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) .

Status of tiger conservation in India:

  • Tiger was accepted as the national animal of India in the year 1972 by Wildlife Board of India in place of Lion.
  • By the year 2023, the number of Tiger Reserves in the country has increased to 54, whose total area is 75,796 sq km, which is about 2.3% of India's land area.
  • A program 'Monitoring System for Tigers Intensive Protection and Ecological Status' (MSTrIPES) was launched by the government under Digital India for smart monitoring of tigers.
  • To encourage the conservation of tigers, 'World Tiger Day' is celebrated every year on 29 July.
  • Tiger has been declared endangered in the Red List of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) – specified in Appendix I

Efforts of Government of India for tiger conservation:

Project Tiger:

  • Project Tiger was started in the year 1973 by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  • This project was launched in Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand in 1973 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with the aim of arresting the decline in tiger population.
  • Under this program central assistance is provided to the states having tiger population for conservation of tigers.
  • The initial tiger reserves covered under Project Tiger were 9 :
  • Jim Corbett (Uttarakhand)
  • Manas (Assam)
  • Ranthambore (Rajasthan)
  • Simlipal (Odisha)
  • Bandipur (Karnataka)
  • Palamu (Jharkhand)
  • Sundarbans (WW)
  • Melghat (Maharashtra)
  • Kanha National Park (M.P.)
  • At present the total number of Tiger Reserves in the country is 54. At the same time, India alone represents 75 percent of the tiger population in the world.
  • National Tiger Conservation Authority:
  • It is a statutory body established in 2005 to ensure effective implementation of Project Tiger and other conservation programmes.
  • It oversees the management of tiger reserves, provides technical support and coordinates with other government agencies and stakeholders.

Wildlife Protection Act:

  • It is a national law enacted in 1972, which protects wildlife in India by prohibiting illegal hunting and trade of wildlife.
  • The law also provides for the establishment of protected areas including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves.

National Wildlife Action Plan:

  • It is a comprehensive plan for wildlife conservation in India that outlines strategies and actions to protect and manage wildlife and their habitats.
  • This action plan includes goals to increase the tiger population, establish new protected areas, etc.

Eco-Development Programme:

  • The program aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict and increase community participation in conservation efforts.

M-stripes:

  • It is a mobile-based monitoring system developed by the Wildlife Conservation Trust for monitoring and managing the tiger population.
  • The system uses GPS and mobile technology to collect data on tiger movements and habitat use, which is used to inform conservation decisions.

Top states with highest population of tigers in India:

  • Madhya Pradesh has the highest population of tigers in India with a total of 526 tigers.
  • Karnataka has the second largest population of tigers in India, with a total of 524 tigers.
  • The state of Uttarakhand has a total of 442 tigers and is known for its dense forests.
  • Maharashtra is home to 312 tigers, making it the fourth largest state in India with a tiger population.
  • The state of Tamil Nadu has a total of 264 tigers and is known for the Mudumalai and Annamalai tiger reserves.
  • With a total of 190 tigers, Assam is an important state for tiger conservation efforts in India.
  • The state of Kerala has a total of 190 tigers and is known for the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
  • Uttar Pradesh has 173 tigers and is home to the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
  • With a total of 88 tigers, West Bengal has a relatively low tiger population compared to other states.
  • Rajasthan has the lowest tiger population among the top 10 states with a total of 69 tigers.

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