Measures to save tigers include increasing their habitat & reducing human-tiger conflicts
India's tiger population has long been a matter of concern for wildlife conservationists worldwide. The majestic big cats were once plentiful in the country, but their numbers have been dwindling due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-tiger conflicts. However, the recent announcement that India's tiger population has increased to 3167 has brought much-needed relief to the conservation community and signalled a new era in tiger conservation efforts. Announcing the latest figures on April 9, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the forest officials, wildlife experts, and conservationists for their tireless efforts in saving the tigers and highlighted the need for global cooperation to save the big cats. He was speaking at an event to commemorate 50 years of Project Tiger in Mysuru, Karnataka. Prime Minister Modi later tweeted, saying, “The numbers of the tiger census are encouraging. Congratulations to all stakeholders and environment lovers. This trend also places an added responsibility of doing even more to protect the tiger as well as other animals. This is what our culture teaches us too.” He also launched the International Big Cats Alliance, aimed at bringing together countries in Asia that are home to seven major big cats (Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, and Cheetah). The objective is to foster cooperation to put an end to poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Asia. TESTAMENT TO SUCCESS OF INDIA’S CONSERVATION EFFORTS India is home to more than 70% of the world's tiger population, and the increase in numbers is a testament to the success of the country's conservation efforts. Tiger reserves in India cover 75,000 square kilometres of land. Over the past few years, India has implemented several measures to save the tigers, such as increasing their habitat, strengthening anti-poaching laws, and reducing human-tiger conflicts. The increase in tiger population is being seen as a significant milestone in the country’s conservation efforts. This is not only good news for conservationists but also for the tourism industry. Tigers are a major attraction for tourists, and their presence can boost the local economy. The news has also been praised by international organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The increase in tiger numbers indicates that the efforts of the Indian government and conservationists are bearing fruit, and it is hoped that the tiger population will continue to grow in the coming years. On the other hand, the launch of the International Big Cats Alliance is a significant step towards a better future for big cats, not only in India but in other countries in Asia and around the world. The alliance aims to bring together countries that are home to big cats, such as lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars, and promote cooperation among them to protect these magnificent creatures. It is hoped that more countries will join hands to protect them and ensure their survival for future generations. Speaking in Mysuru, Prime Minister Modi pointed out that India is not only the largest tiger range country in the world, it is also the largest Asiatic elephant range country in the world with nearly 30,000 elephants and the largest single-horn rhino country with a population of nearly 3,000. Additionally, India is the only country in the world to have Asiatic lions and its population has increased from around 525 in 2015 to around 675 in 2020. At the same time, India’s leopard population has increased by over 60 percent in 4 years, the Prime Minister noted. What’s more, India carried out the first successful trans-continental translocation of a big cat by bringing Cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa and releasing them into the wild in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, in September 2022. Last month, four Cheetah cubs were born there – marking the first birth of a Cheetah in India since they were declared to be extinct in the country in 1952. These serve as a reminder that conservation efforts can yield positive results, and it is a cause for celebration for all those who care about the planet's biodiversity. However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the long-term survival of the big cats. These challenges include habitat loss, poaching, and human-tiger conflicts. The Indian government and conservationists must continue to work together to address these challenges.