With the rise in stripes, celebrate unsung heroes | India News

Tigers lost an estimated 95% of their historical distribution range due to human actions. In 2010, when global leaders gathered for the first ‘Global Tiger Summit’ at St Petersburg in Russia to chart out a secure future for tigers, only 13 countries could boast of viable tiger populations. A road map was charted and a commitment made to double the wild tiger numbers before the next meet in 2022.

At Vladivostok for the second Global Tiger Summit last year, three more tiger range countries had lost their tiger populations, thus exacerbating the global tiger crisis. In this grim and hopeless scenario, India shines as a bright spot of hope. Between the two summits, India has not only doubled its tiger numbers, but with 3,167 tigers roaming its forest today, it is home to over 70% of global wild tiger population. This is not an easy accomplishment, especially in the context of the challenges and extreme pressures natural resources are subjected to, from all corners.
India’s success in tiger conservation is an outcome of a concerted effort by stakeholders, starting from legislatures, policymakers, judiciary, field staff, conservation organizations, media and the public.

Realizing that its tiger pop ulation is dwindling fast, India began planned tiger conservation with the launch of Project Tiger in 1973. The project, one of the most ambitious species and ecosystem conservation programmes in the world, is celebrating its golden jubilee this year. In these 50 years, not only 53 tiger bearing areas have been made safe havens for tigers by declaring them legally protected tiger reserves, but a remarkable enabling environment has also been created.
Systems and codified protocols are in place that include setting up of a fund flow mechanism, creating inviolate areas for tigers, building capacities of staff, standardization of census techniques, promotion of research, enhancing community engagement, streamlining ecotourism, developing mechanism to control poaching and illegal trade, taking efforts to reduce demand for tiger parts etc.
Since the tiger population is not uniformly distributed across various landscapes in the country, active management is also practised. After achieving success in translocation of tigers into Sariska and Panna, several other potential but low tiger density areas such as Rajaji Tiger Reserve are being stocked with tigers, following a scientifically curated strategic plan.
Technology is being used to understand the unknown aspects of tiger behaviour and biology. While satellite collars are used widely to understand resource utilization and track movement of conflict animals, DNA fingerprinting shows origin of a specific animal or its body part seized from criminals. Drones, sensors and infrared cameras are being deployed in high conflict zones.
Many of these systems and protocols are being replicated not only by other tiger range countries but also by several others for the conservation of other big cats. Recently, India has offered to share its expertise in this field with other countries by formally launching an International Big Cat Alliance that will use the learnings from tiger conservation for conservation of other big cats such as lions, puma, leopard, jaguar etc.
All of this wouldn’t have been possible without the active support of governments, both in Centre and the states; an unwavering backing by the judiciary; and a very enthusiastic nation. An immensely positive support from media and various conservation organizations added towards making a ‘tiger-positive’ environment in the country. Various corporate houses have contributed with much-needed resources to support and strengthen India’s leadership.
The major credit for this success, however, goes to the frontline forest staff and the communities living near tiger bearing areas. Foresters live in the most inhospitable conditions, away from families and friends, risking life and limb to protect our national animal. Similarly, local communities bear the major brunt of any conflict arising as an outcome of the increased tiger numbers in their vicinity.
It is, therefore, logical that when we cheer our country’s success in tiger conservation and an increase in tiger numbers, our celebrations should indeed begin by thanking the field staff and the communities for their supreme dedication and tolerance, which is contributing towards ensuring a safe future for this magnificent cat, called tiger.
On this Global Tiger Day, India, the land of tigers, is once again renewing its commitment to protect the most charismatic species of its land till perpetuity.
(The writer is field director, Rajaji Tiger Reserve)