26 November 2024 : PIB Summary For UPSC

1.  Increase in Tiger Population

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2076921&reg=3&lang=1 )

Topic: GS3 – Environment – Conservation – Species

Context

The All India Tiger Estimation 2022 highlights a significant increase in India’s tiger population, growing at 6% annually in consistently sampled areas. The government employs a three-pronged strategy, including funding support, habitat management, and SOPs, to address human-wildlife conflicts. Conservation efforts emphasize enhancing habitat quality and dispersal management.

Tiger Population in India: Growth and Estimation

• The All India Tiger Estimation 2022 reported a significant increase in the tiger population, estimated at 3,682 (range: 3,167–3,925), compared to 2,967 in 2018 and 2,226 in 2014.
• The tiger population in India is growing at an annual rate of 6% in consistently sampled areas.

Three-Pronged Strategy for Managing Human-Wildlife Interactions

1. Material and Logistical Support

• The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger provides funding for tiger reserves to enhance capacity through infrastructure and material acquisition.
• Activities include:
  • Ex-gratia payments and compensation for conflict cases.
  • Awareness campaigns to educate the public on man-animal conflict.
  • Procurement of immobilization equipment and training for forest staff.

2. Restricting Habitat Interventions

• Habitat interventions are aligned with the carrying capacity of tiger reserves to minimize wildlife spillover and conflict.
• Buffer zones have restricted interventions to facilitate dispersal to other rich habitats.

3. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has issued SOPs to address:
  • Straying of tigers into human areas.
  • Tiger depredation on livestock.
  • Rehabilitation of tigers in low-density areas.

Tiger Population Across Landscapes (2006–2022)

• Shivalik-Gangetic Plains: Increased from 297 in 2006 to 819 in 2022.
• Central India and Eastern Ghats: Grew from 601 in 2006 to 1,439 in 2022.
• Western Ghats: Rose from 412 in 2006 to 1,087 in 2022.
• North-Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra Floodplains: Increased from 100 in 2006 to 236 in 2022.

Tiger Population in 2022: States with Maximum Population

State	Tiger Population (2022)
Madhya Pradesh	785
Karnataka	563
Uttarakhand	560
Maharashtra	444
Tamil Nadu	306

Practice Question:  Discuss the role of the All India Tiger Estimation and the National Tiger Conservation Authority in conserving India’s tiger population. What can be the strategy to address human-wildlife conflicts? (250 Words /15 marks)