Achievements of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) During the Year 2023
Primary Source: PIB
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Why in the news?
- The article discusses several conservation milestones achieved during the year 2023 by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.
- The centrally sponsored scheme, Project Tiger, completed 50 years, and was marked by a commemorative event in Mysuru, Karnataka.
Table of Contents
What is National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)?
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body in India that was established in December 2005 following a recommendation by the Tiger Task Force. It was constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 with the amendment of 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation, as per powers and functions assigned to it under the said Act.
Key Aspects of NTCA
- Purpose and Role: The primary purpose of the NTCA is to ensure the protection and conservation of tigers in India. The authority is responsible for implementing the Project Tiger plan to promote the conservation of tiger habitats and to ensure the survival and well-being of the tiger population in the wild.
- Governance and Structure: The NTCA is chaired by the Minister for Environment and Forests and has eight experts or professionals having qualifications and experience in wildlife conservation and welfare of people including tribals, apart from three Members of Parliament.
Achievements of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
- 50 Years of Project Tiger: It celebrated the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger, a scheme instrumental in the recovery of endangered wild tigers in India.
- Significant Increase in Tiger Population: India now hosts over 70% of the world's wild tigers. The 5th cycle of All India Tiger Estimation revealed a minimum of 3,167 tigers in India, indicating a substantial growth rate in the tiger population.
- Launch of International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA): This initiative aims to conserve seven big cat species – Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma, across their natural habitats globally, enhancing international cooperation in big cat conservation.
- Amrit Kaal Ka Vision For Tiger Conservation: A vision plan released to sustain tiger populations and leverage benefits from tiger reserves through landscape-level planning and sectoral integration.
- Successful Reintroduction of Cheetahs: Undertook a landmark project to reintroduce cheetahs in India, including the successful translocation of cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno National Park.
- Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of Tiger Reserves: The 5th cycle of MEE was conducted for 51 tiger reserves, assessing their management effectiveness based on IUCN frameworks.
- Reintroduction of Tigers in Various Reserves: Actively managed and reintroduced tigers in reserves where they had become locally extinct, including Rajaji Tiger Reserve and others.
- Declaration of New Tiger Reserves: Increased the total number of tiger reserves to 54 with the declaration of the Rani Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
- CA|TS Accreditation: Six tiger reserves received the Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CA|TS) accreditation, recognizing their management's effectiveness in tiger conservation.
- Bilateral Cooperation with Tiger Range Countries: Engaged in transboundary tiger conservation efforts and signed MoUs for wildlife management and tiger conservation strategies with countries like Cambodia and Bangladesh.
- International Recognition: Pench and Satpura Tiger Reserves received the Tx2 award for effective management and conservation practices.
- Transparent Reporting on Tiger Mortality: Maintained strict protocols for determining causes of tiger deaths, ensuring transparency and accuracy in reporting tiger mortality statistics.
Functions and Responsibilities
- Oversight of Project Tiger: One of the main functions of the NTCA is to oversee the implementation of Project Tiger, a conservation program launched in 1973 to save the endangered tigers in India.
- Ensuring Anti-poaching Measures: The NTCA is involved in formulating policies and strategies for tiger conservation and taking measures to combat poaching and illegal trade in tiger parts.
- Assessment of Tiger Habitats: It conducts assessments of various tiger reserves for habitat management and improvement of wildlife protection measures.
- Collaboration and Research: The NTCA works in collaboration with various international and national organizations engaged in conservation science, sustainable management of ecosystems, and biodiversity conservation. It also promotes research and monitoring of tiger populations and habitats.
- Financial Support: The NTCA provides financial support to tiger range states for in-situ conservation efforts mainly through Project Tiger.
- Advisory Role: It advises the Government of India on various policies and measures related to tiger conservation.
Conclusion
The NTCA has provided context and clarification on reports of tiger deaths, emphasizing natural causes and the robust population growth rate, but the continued challenges like poaching and habitat fragmentation are still there. NTCA's ongoing efforts with state forest departments to protect tiger habitats and corridors, ensure the longevity and health of tiger populations and ecosystems.
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FAQs
Question: How has the NTCA contributed to the reintroduction and conservation of other big cats besides tigers, such as cheetahs?
Answer:
In 2023, the NTCA was instrumental in the reintroduction of cheetahs in India, a species extirpated from the country historically. This was achieved through MoUs with Namibia and South Africa, leading to the successful translocation of cheetahs to Kuno National Park and plans for a conservation breeding program in Gujarat's Banni grasslands.
Question: What is the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)?
Answer:
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body in India that was established in December 2005 following a recommendation by the Tiger Task Force. It was constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 with the amendment of 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation, as per powers and functions assigned to it under the said Act.
Question: What is the significance of the 'Amrit Kaal Ka Vision For Tiger Conservation' released in 2023?
Answer:
This vision plan aims to sustain tiger populations for future generations, focusing on landscape-level planning, sectoral integration, and convergence, while preserving gains derived from tiger reserves.
MCQs
Question: Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat” (UPSC 2020)
(a) Corbett
(b) Ranthambore
(c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam
(d) Sunderbans
Answer: (c) See the Explanation
The Nagarjunagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is India's largest tiger reserve, with the most area designated as ''Critical Tiger Habitat.''
Kurnool District, Prakasam District, Guntur District, Nalgonda District, and Mahbubnagar District comprise the reserve.
The tiger reserve has an area of 3,728 km2 (1,439 sq mi).
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
Question: Which of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve? (UPSC 2019)
(a) Neyyar, ldl Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
(b) Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Silent Valley National Park
(c) Kaundinya, Gundla Brahmeswaram and Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Mukurthi National Park
(d) Kawal and Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Answer: (a) See the Explanation
The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is a one-of-a-kind genetic repository of cultivated plants. It is located in southern India's Western Ghats.
The site contains three animal sanctuaries, Shendurney, Peppara, and Neyyar, as well as the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Question: The term ‘M-STRIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of: (UPSC 2017)
(a) Captive breeding of Wild Fauna
(b) Maintenance of Tiger Reserves
(c) Indigenous Satellite Navigation System
(d) Security of National Highways
Answer: (b) See the Explanation
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has improved the monitoring of tigers in the country's tiger reserves (TRs) by introducing the Monitoring System for Tiger-Intensive Protection and Ecological Status, or M-STrIPES.
M-STrIPES, an android-based monitoring program, will be utilized in all of the country's TRs.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
Question: From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats? (UPSC 2017)
(a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
(b) Nallamala Forest
(c) Nagarhole National Park
(d) Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve
Answer: (a) See the Explanation
Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
- It is located in Tamil Nadu's Erode district and is part of the Western and Eastern Ghats. Hence, option (a) is correct.
- In the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the Sathyamangalam woodland range serves as an important wildlife corridor.
- It is a genetic link connecting the Billigiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, Sigur Plateau, Mudumalai National Park, and Bandipur National Park, as well as four other protected locations.
- It is part of the "Project Tiger" initiative, which aims to conserve tiger populations and reduce tiger trafficking and poaching.
- The Government of India initiated Project Tiger in 1973.
Nallamala Forest
- It is located in the Andhra Pradesh district of Kurnool.
- The Nallamala forest is part of the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve in the Eastern Ghats.
- Amrabad Tiger Reserve is also found in Telangana's Nallamala Hills.
- This forest is well-known for its tigers, wild dogs, and jungle cats.
Nagarhole National Park
- It is also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, is located in the Karnataka districts of Kodagu and Mysore.
- It is a component of the Niligiri biosphere reserve, as well as the Bandipur National Park and the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary.
- It acts as a safe haven for elephants and tigers.
Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve
- It is located in the Eastern Ghats of southern Andhra Pradesh.
- The Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve is home to the famous red sanders and slender lories species.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Question: Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2014)
- Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.
- National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) See the Explanation
The Animal Welfare Board of India was established in 1962 under Section 4 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority is set up under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Environment and Forests and is a statutory body. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
National Ganga River Basin Authority was established by the Central Government of India, on 20 February 2009. The Prime Minister is the chair of the Authority. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
Question: Consider the following pairs: (UPSC 2014)
- Dampa Tiger Reserve : Mizoram
- Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary : Sikkim
- Saramati Park : Nagaland
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) See the Explanation
Mizoram is home to the Dampa Tiger Reserve. It was in the headlines because it was part of a study area for clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa). Hence, pair 1 is correct.
Tripura is home to the Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary. It has a total size of 389.54 square kilometers. It is home to elephants, sambar, buffalo, yapping deer, serow, wild goats, and other wildlife. Hence, pair 2 is incorrect.
Saramati is a mountain in Nagaland. It is situated near Thanamir Village in Nagaland's Kiphire district. Hence, pair 3 is correct.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
Question: Consider the following protected areas (UPSC 2012)
- Bandipur
- Bhitarkanika
- Manas
- Sunderbans
Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b) See the Explanation
Bandipur, Manas and Sunderbans are declared Tiger Reserves. Bhitarkanika hasone of the largest populations of endangered saltwater crocodile in Indiaand is globally unique in that.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
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