THE WORLD TIGER DAY CELEBRATION

ABOUT:

• The tiger is now extinct in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

INDIA’S TIGERS

• India is home to one-third of the world’s tiger population, and the country’s success in protecting the big cat is critical to worldwide conservation efforts.
• India was the first country in the world to support the cause of tiger conservation and natural habitat preservation.
• Tigers’ aesthetic, ethical, and cultural value have also proven to be key factors in saving tigers, ensuring the success of tiger conservation in India.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PROTECT TIGERS?

• The tiger is a one-of-a-kind animal that is critical to the health and diversity of an ecosystem.
• Predation equilibrium: It is a top predator at the top of the food chain.
• Herbivore regulation: It maintains the balance between prey herbivores and the plants on which they feed by keeping the population of wild ungulates in check.
• Ecosystem balance: The existence of tigers in the forest is thus a sign of the ecosystem’s health.
• Tourism: In addition to the ecological services offered by the animal, the tiger provides direct benefits such as drawing tourists, which generates revenue for local communities.

VARIOUS INITIATIVES ARE BEING MADE TO RESCUE TIGERS

• India is home to 70% of the world’s tiger population. As a result, the country has a significant role to play in tiger protection.

1. Project Tiger

• The Indian government launched ‘Project Tiger’ in 1972 in order to save the animal.
• As part of this project, nine critical buffer zones for tiger population preservation were notified. This has already grown to 48 tiger reserves.

1. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)

• Other steps being done to rescue the tiger, in addition to safeguarding tiger territory, include limiting wildlife trading through international accords.
• CITES is an international treaty between governments that aims to ensure that international trade in wild animal and plant species, including tigers, does not imperil their survival. This pact was ratified by India in 1976.
• Global Tiger Forum and Tiger Range Countries
• The Global Tiger Forum, which was founded in 1994, is the only inter-governmental forum dedicated to tiger protection.
• Its members comprise seven nations in the tiger range: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, and Vietnam.

1. CA|TS 14 tiger reserves have received CA|TS (Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards) accreditation.

• The CA|TS is a set of criteria that assesses tiger site management to determine tiger conservation success rates.

1. Declaration of St. Petersburg

• This resolution was adopted in November 2010 by the leaders of 13 tiger range countries (TRCs) gathered in St. Petersburg, Russia for the International Tiger Forum.
• It aimed to promote a global framework to safeguard tigers’ natural habitats and boost public awareness about white tiger conservation.

1. Various non-governmental organizations

• World Wildlife Fund, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), and TRAFFIC are international NGO members.
• Members include several national NGOs from India and Nepal.

ACHIEVEMENT OF THESE INITIATIVES

• The four-year tiger census report, Status of Tigers in India, 2018, reveals that there are more big cats overall.
• There are now 2,967 people in total, up from 2,226 in 2014; this is a 33 percent increase in just four years.
• Among the 13 countries with tiger ranges, India currently has the highest tiger population and source areas.
• In 51 tiger reserves throughout 18 States, 2.24 percent of the country’s land area is dispersed.

SEVERAL DANGERS TO TIGERS

• Despite the protections put in place for wild tigers, habitat loss and poaching remain a threat to their existence.
• Traditional Chinese medicine makes use of tigers in several ways, including using their bones to treat body pain, their skin for decoration, and their parts for traditional Chinese remedies.
• According to TRAFFIC’s study, at least 1,590 Tigers’ parts—or an average of two Tigers per week—were collected in Tiger range States between 2000 and 2014.

OTHER GRAVE DANGERS TO TIGERS’ EXISTENCE

• Conflict between humans and animals: This appears to be a common occurrence in India. We all remember the story of the Maharashtra forest officers who shot the tiger Avni to death.
• Shrinking habitat: This frequently causes territorial disputes between Tigers.
• Problems with tourism: Too many tourist activities are harmful to wildlife. Regular trips to designated woodland areas prevent them from moving freely in search of prey.
• Climate Change: Both floods and the effects of climate change are significant issues. According to the most recent WWF analysis, the Sundarban, one of the largest tiger habitats in India, will completely disappear by the year 2070.

WAY AHEAD

• Tiger conservation efforts should be more dynamic and accommodating to any climatic changes in the future.
• To ensure the freedom of movement of the tigers in search of better food sources, the Forest Department and the Central government can work together to protect the natural corridors.
• The need of tiger species conservation is made clear to people all throughout the country and the world via campaigns like “Save the Tiger,” which are advised as effective strategies.
• A key action in this direction is to raise local residents’ awareness of poaching.