In India, the Project Tiger program is one of the well-managed tiger conservation efforts. Launched in 1973, the project has constituted tiger reserves in many parts of India. Every tiger reserve maintains a naturalistic disposition. The main aim of these tiger reserves is to conserve the natural habitat in which tigers thrive. It helps build tiger populations naturally.
Tiger population – a receding graph
During the early part of 1900, India had a substantial tiger population. The tiger census placed the tiger population at 40,000. This was an informal census. The first formal census was conducted in the year 1972. Horrifyingly, only 1800 tigers were left in the country. This statistic triggered a panic wave across the country. The government was pressurized to retain natural tiger habitats that were being encroached in the name of urbanization.
- In 1969, the IUCN General Meeting was held in New Delhi to address the receding population of tigers.
- In 1970, there was a nationwide ban on the hunting of tigers. • In 1972, the government formulated the Wildlife Protection Act.
- The first Task Force is set up to maintain tiger reserves.
- From 1973, the government started setting up tiger reserves.
- The government segregates land into urban development land and tiger conservation land.
- By 1974, 9 tiger reserves were provisioned.
Tiger reserves are managed technologically in India
Tiger reserves are managed by professional staff. All activities are conducted through wireless communication. Wireless transmitters are fitted onto certain tigers that are suspected to be carrying, diseased, or for research purposes. Outstation patrol camps man the length and breadth of these reserves. The Voluntary Village Relocation scheme is the government’s assistance to villagers living in these areas to find better places for inhabitation.
- The Village Relocation scheme has been effective in tiger reserves at Kanha, Bandipur, and Ranthambore.
- Villages in and around these areas have been relocated to safer regions.
- Villagers have been provided lands for cultivating agriculture.
- Livestock has been managed well and kept away from tiger inhabitation areas.
- Compensatory developmental works have improved the economic situation of these areas.
- Tiger habitats have been kept intact and undisturbed.
- There has been an improvement in the level of ground water in these areas. The quality of vegetation has improved as well. These aspects have improved the naturalistic disposition of these tiger reserves.
Tiger reserves – the future
The government is undertaking various activities to control the menace of tiger poachers. It is impossible to man the entire perimeter of tiger reserves. So this problem creates many porous areas through which the poachers infiltrate. Government agencies are using information and communication technologies to coordinate their activities. Some of the salient points about this exercise are:
- Mapping the areas that have animal inhabitation and subsequently tracking them.
- Identifying and categorizing sensitivities by which animal habitat can be influenced.
- Punitive measures for encroachers and unlawful gamers.
Conclusion
The Project Tiger is a sigh of relief to millions of Tiger lovers.
