Every year on July 29, International Tiger Day is celebrated to highlight the importance of tiger conservation across the globe. This year, the International Tiger Day was on Monday.
The declaration to celebrate this day was made on July 29, 2010, in St Petersburg, aiming to unite all tiger range countries in a concerted effort to enhance tiger conservation and management worldwide. This day serves as a platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by these magnificent creatures and the efforts being made to safeguard their future.
As per the 5th cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation 2022 (usually done in cycles of four years) summary report, India has a minimum of 3,167 tigers and is now home to more than 70% of the world’s wild tiger population.
Further data analysis using the latest statistical models for camera-trapped and non-camera-trapped tiger presence areas estimates the upper limit of the tiger population at 3,925, with an average number of 3,682 tigers, reflecting a commendable annual growth rate of 6.1%.
This remarkable conservation feat has been achieved due to the pioneering initiatives undertaken by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, Government of India, in collaboration with the State Government, over the years.
By the mid-20th century, India’s tiger population was in a rapid decline due to hunting, habitat loss, and other human activities. Following independence in 1947, this decline became even more pronounced, with the tiger population reaching alarmingly low numbers.
The tiger is a unique animal which plays a pivotal role in the health and diversity of an ecosystem. It is a top predator which is at the apex of the food chain and keeps the population of wild ungulates in check, thereby maintaining the balance between herbivores and the vegetation upon which they feed.
But the issue here is that saving the tiger alone is not enough. The entire ecosystem has to be conserved. Shrinking forest cover, human encroachment in forest areas and big projects in forests are areas of major concern, which are crying for attention.
India ranked the second highest for the rate of deforestation after losing 668,400 hectares of forest cover in the last 30 years, a report by UK-based Utility Bidder said. Brazil and Indonesia clocked in at first and third respectively with Brazil recording 1,695,700 hectares and Indonesia recording 650,000 hectares of deforestation.
The numbers from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change show that a total of 349 humans were killed in tiger attacks across the country between 2019 and 2023. Calendar year 2022 saw the highest number of these deaths at 110. Maharashtra topped the chart in casualties in the conflict with the big cat. It was followed by Uttar Pradesh (59); Madhya Pradesh (27) and Karnataka (14).
Shrinking animal habitats caused by mining, quarrying and developmental activities along the fringes, encroachments and break in corridors along which the animals move, all contribute towards increasing instances of man-animal conflicts.
In Goa itself, we have witnessed tiger deaths inside the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. The Goa Tamnar Transmission Project Limited (GTTPL) which envisages passing of high tension power lines through the heavy dense forest of the Western Ghats in Goa and Karnataka, has created an uproar in Goa.
The Karnataka government has rejected the implementation of the Goa-Tamnar 400 KV quad transmission line linear project within the Western Ghats (Karnataka region) and has directed the officials to recommend an alternative line outside the protected area, through non-forested areas instead.
But the Goa government is steadfast on implementing this potentially hazardous project for the ecology, despite protests.
In fact, 2,670 trees were felled by GTTPL at Sangod village in Mollem in 2020, for the project.
How does the government propose to save the tiger in the long run, if this type of unwarranted ecological destruction is allowed by the establishment itself?
The approach has to be towards saving the entire ecosystem, not just any particular animal species. Cosmetic actions won’t help. Real steps are required for this.
