NEW DELHI: India’s tiger population has experienced significant growth of 6.1%, bringing the estimated number of tigers to 3,682, according to the report “Status of Tigers: Co-predators and Prey in India-2022,” released as part of the International Tiger Day celebrations. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India jointly released the report. This remarkable growth makes India the proud home to approximately 75 percent of the world’s tiger population. This latest figure marks an upward revision from April this year when the Wildlife Institute of India, responsible for coordinating the quadrennial tiger census, estimated a minimum of 3,167 tigers.
This positive trend is largely attributed to the extensive use of camera traps, which successfully captured 84% of individual tigers. The camera trap-based capture-mark-recapture methods accounted for 86% of the identified tigers, mirroring the proportion observed in 2018.
However, the situation is not uniform across all regions. The tiger population in the Western Ghats has remained relatively stable but there have been declines noted in specific areas such as Wayanad and Northern Karnataka. These localized declines highlight the need for more targeted monitoring and conservation efforts within this region. Illegal hunting, driven by traditional practices or the demand for wild meat, remains a significant issue. Hunters use various methods such as guns, poisoning, snaring, and trapping. Human-wildlife conflicts are prevalent due to the landscape being heavily influenced by human activity in the Western Ghats. The dense human populations in several parts of the region further intensify these conflicts.
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On the other hand, some states report alarming tiger population trends. Mizoram and Nagaland have reported zero tiger signs and sightings, raising concerns about the absence of tigers in these areas. Similarly, Jharkhand has documented only a single individual tiger which emphasized the urgent need for conservation measures to protect and enhance tiger populations in these regions. Goa, Chhattisgarh, and Arunachal Pradesh have relatively small tiger populations, necessitating focused conservation strategies to ensure long-term survival. One particular area of concern is the survival of the tiger population in Odisha which is currently under serious threat from poaching activities. Immediate action is required to combat poaching and protect the remaining tigers in Odisha, as failure to do so may lead to the extinction of this population. Efforts must be made to strengthen anti-poaching measures and raise awareness about the importance of conserving tigers in Odisha to ensure their survival for future generations.
The abundance assessment of tigers in India reveals significant changes in their population distribution across various landscapes. The most notable increase in tiger population is observed in Central India and the Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains, primarily contributed by the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttarakhand. This surge in numbers is an encouraging sign for tiger conservation efforts in these regions. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar have also recorded notable increases in their tiger populations. The current estimated population of tigers in this block is 226 individuals within an area of 5649 km². The tiger population in this block has shown an increase compared to the previous estimation cycle. This landscape exhibits great potential for accommodating the growing tiger population of Central India. With the recovery of ungulate species in the area, it can support a tiger population of more than 500 individuals.
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In addition to the growth in tiger population, India has witnessed a significant drop in tiger mortalities with a 37% decrease recorded this year. 115 tiger deaths have been reported so far in 2024, compared to 182 fatalities in 2023. This decrease in the number of deaths due to poaching is notable, with the number of poaching cases falling from 17 last year to just four in 2024. However, the NTCA report has yet to specify the exact causes of death, such as territorial conflicts, accidents, poisoning, or electrocution.
According to NTCA officials, the delays in data reporting and the submission of forensic reports by some states have led to gaps in the information. On the other hand, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra remain the states with the highest number of tiger deaths. Madhya Pradesh reported 46 fatalities this year, a slight increase from 43 in 2023. Maharashtra, however, saw a 50% reduction, with 23 tiger deaths in 2024, down from 46 the previous year. Karnataka recorded 11 deaths, one fewer than last year.