India’s tiger population has shown remarkable growth, according to a recent government release quoting the 2022 All India Tiger Estimation. The latest figures estimate 3,682 tigers (ranging from 3,167 to 3,925), a significant increase from 2,967 in 2018 and 2,226 in 2014. This consistent rise, at an annual rate of 6% in sampled areas, highlights the nation’s ongoing efforts in tiger conservation and ecosystem protection.
To address the challenges posed by increasing tiger numbers and their interaction with human habitats, the Government of India, through the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), has implemented a comprehensive three-pronged strategy:
Under the Project Tiger scheme, funding is provided to tiger reserves for infrastructure and resources to manage tigers dispersing from core areas. Annual Plans of Operation (APOs), derived from the overarching Tiger Conservation Plan (TCP) mandated by the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, guide these efforts. Support includes ex-gratia payments, awareness campaigns, media outreach, and specialized training for forest staff to handle conflict situations effectively.
To prevent excessive wildlife spillover, habitat interventions are carefully regulated based on each reserve’s carrying capacity. In core areas, interventions are minimized to avoid overpopulation, while buffer zones are managed to support dispersal without causing conflicts. This approach ensures a balanced ecosystem and reduces human-animal encounters.
The NTCA has issued three key SOPs to manage human-tiger conflicts: addressing emergencies when tigers stray into human-dominated areas, managing livestock depredation, and relocating tigers from dense habitats to areas with lower tiger populations. These SOPs provide clear guidelines for managing dispersing tigers, reducing conflicts, and maintaining ecological balance.
India’s success in tiger conservation is a testament to effective policies and community involvement. By managing human-wildlife interactions thoughtfully, the nation aims to ensure the continued growth of its tiger population while fostering coexistence between tigers and human communities.
