BENGALURU, India (AP) — A groundbreaking study confirms India has doubled its tiger population over the last decade, attributed largely to comprehensive conservation efforts. From around 1,706 tigers recorded in 2010, the number surged to approximately 3,682 by 2022, according to the National Tiger Conservation Authority. With this remarkable growth, India now hosts about 75% of the global tiger population, marking a significant triumph for wildlife preservation.
The successful strategy involved protecting these majestic big cats from poaching, ensuring their habitats are secure, reducing conflicts with humans, and guaranteeing enough prey. Notably, this influx of tigers has brought also socio-economic benefits to surrounding communities through ecotourism, as their habitats attract visitors, which translates to economic gains.
The findings, outlined in the journal Science, assert, “India’s success offers important lessons for tiger-range countries,” underscoring the notion of conservation not only benefiting biodiversity but also fostering local economies.
Yadvendradev Jhala, the lead author from the Indian National Academy of Sciences, emphasized, “The common belief is human densities preclude an increase in tiger populations, but it’s not the human density, but the attitude of people, which matters more.” This statement highlights the necessity of community cooperation and involvement for effective conservation.
Despite the achievements, the study also noted challenges. Wildlife conservationists, echoing concerns, stated it would be beneficial if the source data from conservation efforts were accessible to more scientists. Experts such as Arjun Gopalaswamy criticized estimates from India’s government monitoring as being historically “chaotic” and “contradictory.” He pointed out some figures in the study appear to exceed earlier estimations derived from similar datasets.
Through this study, researchers recognized anomalies previously identified by scientists concerning tiger populations and their geographic reach. Tigers faced disappearance from regions outside national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, often coinciding with urbanization and increased use of forest resources.
“Without community support and participation and community benefits, conservation is not possible in our country,” asserted Jhala. He termed the stringent wildlife protection legislation as the backbone of India's tiger conservation strategies. Currently, tigers roam across around 138,200 square kilometers (roughly the area of New York state). Though just 25% of this span is identified as prey-rich and protected, about 60 million people share 45% of the tiger habitats.
Wildlife biologist Ravi Chellam stated, “While tiger conservation efforts show promising results, they need to expand to other species to maintain the ecosystem effectively.” He pointed out several species, including the great Indian bustard and caracal, are also facing decline and require focused conservation efforts.
The big leap forward for the tiger population is fundamentally rooted in the harmonious coexistence of human communities and wildlife, and the study sets out groundwork for future conservation methods. With the continued effort to balance ecological preservation and the livelihood of local inhabitants, India paves the way for comprehensive wildlife conservation frameworks.
The study not only exemplifies successful tiger conservation tactics but also serves as a guide for other countries involved with wildlife preservation efforts. The model established can spur global action to protect these vulnerable species, fostering biodiversity and enhancing local ecosystems, directly impacting human livelihoods.
India’s commitment to wildlife preservation is undergoing rigorous evaluation and action; years of dedication to conservation have evidently borne fruit, as highlighted by the promising upward trend of its tiger population. This achievement fosters hope for continued progress and the potential for long-term sustainability.