Euphoria over the increase in tiger population in India is understandable, but the need of the hour is to modify ‘Project Tiger’ in accordance to the present day situation. It is indeed a great achievement that India is now home to 75 percent of the world’s tiger population. It has been made possible by ‘Project Tiger’ which began 50 years ago. Buoyed by the success of the project, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already launched International Big Cat Alliance, a multi-nation project for the conservation of seven big cat species namely tiger, leopard, jaguar, lion, snow leopard, cheetah and puma.
However, amidst the positive scenario, uneven distribution of tiger population in the country remains a cause of concern. As per the quadrennial census of tiger population in the country, an increased number of tigers have been found in Shivalik range and Gangetic plains, while the number has gone down in states like Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and even in Western Ghats. Project tiger was initiated when the tiger population had reached alarmingly low levels, and it is essential that the policy be restructured in light of the developing situation, and perhaps even institute new conservation projects.
The quadrennial census figures are indicative of a sea change in India’s tiger map during the last couple of decades. So apart from conserving the big cats, the country should also make efforts to protect their natural habitats, as well as restoring habitats destroyed over the years. This is important on two counts. Firstly, concentration in one area may create genetic homogeneity, which will make the big cats prone to infections. In such an eventuality, the five decades long effort to save the tigers may come to a naught in no time. Secondly, loss of habitat leads to shrinking of prey base, which can take a toll on the health of tigers. Already, the country has lost a considerable amount of forest land due to urbanisation and ever increasing human population. Existing laws should be given more teeth to prevent destruction and encroachment of forest land, in-order to ensure wild animals get enough space to move and adequate food.
In this context, one should keep in mind that an increased number of one animal does not necessarily mean the end of man-animal conflict. Rather, the lop-sided growth of tiger population points to the fact that animals are cornered due to land grabbing by human beings on various pretexts. Moreover, one should ponder over the fact that if ‘Project Tiger’ maintains the same success rate, the tiger population in the country will touch the 5000 mark by 2030. Are the numbers of tiger reserves in the country enough to accommodate them? If we fail to house them safely, it will further aggravate the ongoing man-animal conflict. Thus, without resting on initial success, we should prepare ourselves to face bigger future challenges.
