Context: A poaching network marked by an unusual coalition of groups from tribal communities in central India, using digital payments with “hawala funds” and separate supply lines to Nepal and Myanmar, has taken out “100 to any number” of tigers since 2022 from various parts of India, an investigation by The Indian Express has found.

Background: –

• As per the 2022-23 tiger census, India has 3,681 tigers occupying 89,000 sq km across five landscapes: Shivalik Hills & Gangetic Plains, Central Indian Highlands & Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats, North Eastern Hills & Brahmaputra floodplains, Sundarbans.

Key points

Tigers as an Umbrella Species and their Ecological Role

• Tigers are apex predators and an umbrella species, meaning their conservation indirectly benefits the entire ecosystem by maintaining ecological balance.
• They regulate herbivore populations (e.g., deer), preventing overgrazing and habitat degradation.
• Tiger landscapes support critical ecosystems that provide freshwater to over 800 million people in Asia. These landscapes store significant carbon, making tiger conservation vital for mitigating climate change.

Cultural Significance of Tigers in India

• Hindu Mythology: The tiger is depicted as the mount (vahana) of Goddess Durga, symbolizing power and valor.
• Harappan Civilization: Seals from the Indus Valley, including the Pashupati seal, depict tigers, showing their early cultural significance.
• Rock Paintings: Bhimbetka cave paintings feature tigers alongside other animals, reflecting their historical importance.
• Folk Traditions:
  • Pulikali (Kerala): A tiger dance performed during Onam, symbolizing the deep connection between humans and nature.
  • Puli Vesham (Andhra Pradesh): A traditional tiger dance performed during festivals like Dussehra and Muharram.

Economic Contribution of Tiger Conservation

• Eco-tourism: Tiger reserves attract tourists, generating local employment and reducing reliance on unsustainable practices.
• Ecosystem Services: Healthy tiger habitats protect agricultural lands, fish nurseries, and water resources.
• Livelihood Support: Conservation projects provide alternative income sources to forest-dependent communities, reducing poaching and deforestation.

Status of Tiger Population in India – Largest Tiger Populations (2022):

• States: Madhya Pradesh (785), Karnataka (563), Uttarakhand (560), Maharashtra (444).
• Reserves: Corbett (260), Bandipur (150), Nagarhole (141), Bandhavgarh (135).

Key Government Initiatives for Tiger Conservation

• Project Tiger (1973)
  • Launched under Indira Gandhi, it is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) to ensure tiger conservation and habitat protection.
  • Initially started in nine tiger reserves, now expanded to 53 reserves covering 75,000 sq km.
• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) (2006)
  • Statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC).
  • Conducts All India Tiger Estimation every four years. Also oversees implementation of Project Tiger and manages funds for tiger reserves.
• M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers: Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) – A technology-based surveillance system for tracking tigers, ensuring effective patrolling, and mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
• Transboundary Conservation Initiatives
  • India-Bangladesh Collaboration: Joint efforts for tiger conservation in the Sundarbans.
  • International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) (2023): Initiative to protect seven big cat species (tiger, leopard, snow leopard, lion, cheetah, puma, and jaguar) through global cooperation.

Source: Indian Express