Study on Tiger Population Increase in India

A recent study published in Science highlights the growth in India's tiger population, noting a 30% increase over the past two decades.

Key Findings

• India's success in wildlife conservation stands out even as global wildlife populations have decreased by 73%.
• The study was led by Senior Scientist Yadvendradev Jhala, exploring socio-ecological factors enabling tiger recovery amidst high human density and economic challenges.

Conservation Strategies

• Protected areas, primarily void of humans, support 85% of breeding tiger populations.
• Tigers coexist with over 66 million people, demonstrating successful human-wildlife coexistence.
• Success attributed to a blend of scientific strategies and a balance of land-sharing and land-sparing approaches.

Legislative and Socio-Economic Influences

• Strong legislative framework includes the Wildlife Protection Act, Forest Conservation Act, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
• Economic prosperity and cultural values aid tiger persistence and recovery.
• Regions less dependent on forest resources see higher tiger recolonization rates, whereas areas with high poverty, like Naxal-affected regions, face tiger decline.

Challenges and Recommendations

• Challenges persist with large tracts of potential habitats, about 157,000 sq km, remaining devoid of tigers due to socio-political instability and habitat degradation.
• Recommendations include:
   
  • Expanding protected areas and habitat corridors. 
  • Strengthening anti-poaching measures. 
  • Promoting sustainable livelihoods for communities near tiger habitats. 
  • Enhancing human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies, like early warning systems and rapid response teams.