International Cooperation for Project Tiger – Environment Notes
Apart from a protocol on tiger conservation with China, India has a Memorandum of Understanding with Nepal on controlling trans-boundary illegal wildlife trade and conservation. A bilateral protocol with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar is in the works. In this article, we will discuss the International Cooperation for Project Tiger which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.
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What is Project Tiger?
- Project Tiger was established in 1973. It was one of the most significant conservation efforts launched in India to protect tigers.
- It was the first project of its kind in India to maintain the population of tigers and protect them from poaching and other threats.
- The NTCA addresses ecological and administrative issues related to tiger conservation.
- It establishes a legal framework for the protection of tiger reserves and strengthens institutional safeguards for ecologically sensitive areas and endangered species.
- Project Tiger was made a statutory authority (NTCA) by inserting enabling provisions into the Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972 via an amendment, the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act of 2006.
- The Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand was India's first tiger reserve.
- In the early years of this project, India had only nine tiger reserves. There are currently 53 such reserves in India.
Global Tiger Forum
- The Global Tiger Forum is an international intergovernmental organisation dedicated solely to the conservation of tigers in the wild in their range countries.
- In addition to the United Kingdom, seven of the 13 tiger range countries are currently members of the GTF: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Vietnam.
- An International Symposium on Tiger Conservation in New Delhi in 1993 recommended the formation of an Inter-Governmental International Body to launch a Global Campaign for Tiger Protection.
- The Global Tiger Forum (GTF) was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in New Delhi.
- The GTF General Assembly meets every three years.
- It makes use of collaborative policies, common approaches, technical expertise, scientific modules, and other relevant programmes.
- According to the Global Tiger Forum, it was established to highlight the rationale for tiger preservation and to provide leadership and a common approach globally in order to ensure the survival of the tiger, its prey, and its habitat.
- The Global Tiger Forum was established to promote a global conservation campaign to save the tiger, its prey, and its habitat.
- The Global Tiger Forum intends to promote a legal framework in the countries involved for biodiversity conservation, as well as to expand the protected area network of tiger habitats and facilitate inter-range movement.
- It is the world's only Inter-Governmental Organization dedicated to tiger conservation.
- Its members are 14 tiger range countries.
- At the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit in 2010, leaders from 13 tiger range countries agreed to double the number of tigers in the wild, using the catchphrase "T x 2."
- GTF has formed viable alliances with a number of like-minded organisations both in India and abroad, including the IUCN, WWF, WCT, WII, IIFM, IFAW, WTI, WCS, USAID, World Bank, and Clemson University.
Global Tiger Initiative (GTI)
- The Global Tiger Initiative (GTI) was established in 2008 as a global alliance of governments, international organisations, civil society, conservation, and scientific communities, as well as the private sector, with the goal of collaborating to save wild tigers from extinction.
- Snow Leopards were added to the list of protected species in 2013.
- The World Bank, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Smithsonian Institution, the Save the Tiger Fund, and the International Tiger Coalition were among the GTI's founding partners.
- The 13 tiger range countries are leading the initiative (TRCs).
- Leaders of tiger range countries (TRCs) gathered in St. Petersburg, Russia, in November 2010 for an International Tiger Forum to adopt the St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation and endorse its implementation mechanism, known as the Global Tiger Recovery Program.
- Their overarching goal was to increase the number of wild tigers in their geographic area from approximately 3,200 to over 7,000 by 2022.
Asian Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation
- The Malaysian government and the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) recently hosted the 4th Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation.
- The conference is an important opportunity to review progress toward the Global Tiger Recovery Programme and tiger conservation commitments.
- India will assist Tiger Range Countries in finalising the New Delhi Declaration for the Global Tiger Summit, which will be held in Russia later this year (2022).
- In 2010, a "Pre-Tiger Summit" meeting was held in New Delhi to finalise the draught declaration on tiger conservation for the Global Tiger Summit.
- India is a founding member of the Global Tiger Forum, an intergovernmental platform for Tiger Range Countries.
- GTF has expanded its programme over the years to include multiple thematic areas, while collaborating closely with the Government of India, tiger states in India, and tiger range countries.
- 14 Indian Tiger Reserves have already received international Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CA|TS) accreditation, and efforts are underway to include more Tiger Reserves.
- CA|TS was developed by tiger and protected area experts and agreed upon as an accreditation tool by the global coalition of Tiger Range Countries (TRCs).
Conclusion
These international co-operations are committed to collaborating with government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and all like-minded individuals and organisations to combat the illegal wildlife trade, which has become a growing threat to our natural treasures.
FAQs
Question: What is Project Tiger, and what are its primary objectives?
Answer: Project Tiger is a conservation initiative launched by the Government of India in 1973 to protect the Bengal tiger and preserve its habitats. The primary objectives include reducing poaching, ensuring the proper management of tiger reserves, and promoting biodiversity conservation within protected areas.
Question: How does international cooperation contribute to the success of Project Tiger?
Answer: International cooperation plays a critical role in Project Tiger through collaboration with wildlife organizations, sharing best practices, research, and funding. Agreements with neighboring countries and global environmental organizations help strengthen conservation efforts, improve monitoring systems, and promote sustainable wildlife tourism.
Question: Which organizations have been actively involved in supporting Project Tiger?
Answer: Key organizations supporting Project Tiger include the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These bodies assist with research, funding, and expertise in wildlife management and biodiversity conservation.
Question: How does cross-border collaboration enhance tiger conservation efforts?
Answer: Cross-border collaboration is essential for managing tiger populations that migrate across national boundaries. India collaborates with Nepal, Bhutan, and other neighboring countries to create transboundary protected areas, ensuring a continuous and secure habitat for tigers, which helps maintain a genetically viable population.
Question: What are some of the challenges faced by Project Tiger despite international support?
Answer: Despite international support, Project Tiger faces challenges such as poaching, habitat destruction, human-wildlife conflict, and inadequate enforcement of wildlife protection laws. Furthermore, climate change and the loss of prey species also threaten the long-term sustainability of tiger populations.
MCQs
1. What was the main objective behind the launch of Project Tiger in India?
A) To increase the population of tigers in India
B) To protect the Bengal tiger and its habitats
C) To promote tourism in tiger reserves
D) To establish zoos for tigers across India
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The primary objective of Project Tiger is to protect the Bengal tiger and conserve its natural habitats. The project aims to reduce poaching, protect tiger reserves, and promote sustainable biodiversity conservation efforts to ensure the long-term survival of tigers in the wild.
2. Which of the following international organizations has supported Project Tiger?
A) Greenpeace
B) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
C) Amnesty International
D) World Health Organization (WHO)
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has supported Project Tiger by providing funding, technical support, and expertise in conservation strategies. Other organizations such as WWF and IUCN have also played significant roles in the success of Project Tiger.
3. Which of the following is a key benefit of cross-border collaboration in tiger conservation?
A) Increased poaching across borders
B) Effective management of transboundary tiger habitats
C) Reduced wildlife conservation funding
D) Promotion of illegal wildlife trade
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: Cross-border collaboration helps in managing transboundary tiger habitats, ensuring that tiger populations are protected across national boundaries. This cooperation between India and its neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan helps create secure corridors for tigers, thereby promoting genetic diversity and overall population stability.
4. What is the role of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Project Tiger?
A) Financial support only
B) Policy formulation and advocacy
C) Providing technical expertise and research
D) Managing tiger reserves directly
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
Explanation: The IUCN provides technical expertise and research on tiger conservation strategies. They help develop best practices, promote scientific research, and provide a platform for collaboration among countries, ensuring effective tiger conservation through a global network of experts.
5. How does climate change impact the objectives of Project Tiger?
A) By creating more suitable habitats for tigers
B) By causing habitat destruction and affecting prey species
C) By increasing the population of tigers
D) By improving the health of tiger populations
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: Climate change poses a serious threat to Project Tiger’s objectives by altering habitats, disrupting prey species, and causing environmental stress. Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns can reduce prey availability, shrink tiger habitats, and increase human-wildlife conflict.
GS Mains Questions and Model Answers
Q1: Discuss the international role and cooperation in the conservation of endangered species like the Bengal tiger. How has Project Tiger benefited from global partnerships?
Answer: The conservation of endangered species like the Bengal tiger requires international collaboration due to the migratory nature of tigers and their habitats crossing national boundaries. Global partnerships, including support from organizations like WWF, IUCN, and the UNDP, have been instrumental in providing technical expertise, funding, and knowledge sharing. Project Tiger has benefitted from international cooperation by adopting best practices in wildlife management, establishing transboundary conservation areas, and benefiting from international advocacy. Moreover, international pressure and collaboration have helped India in its efforts to combat poaching and illegal trade in tiger parts. This cooperation ensures the long-term protection of the species through sustainable practices, research, and management of tiger reserves.
Q2: What challenges does India face in ensuring the success of Project Tiger despite international cooperation? Discuss the internal and external factors affecting the project’s progress.
Answer: Despite international support, Project Tiger faces several challenges. Internally, issues like inadequate funding, political interference, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict undermine the project’s success. Additionally, illegal logging and encroachment into tiger habitats pose a significant threat to the reserves. Externally, challenges such as climate change, cross-border poaching, and lack of coordination among neighboring countries complicate conservation efforts. While international collaboration has provided expertise and funding, these internal and external factors must be addressed through stronger law enforcement, improved local community engagement, and greater regional cooperation. Effective management and sustainable conservation policies are necessary for the long-term survival of the tiger population in India.
Q3: Analyze the importance of cross-border collaboration in conserving the Bengal tiger. How do neighboring countries contribute to the success of Project Tiger?
Answer: Cross-border collaboration is crucial for the conservation of the Bengal tiger due to the species' migratory nature and the fact that their habitats span across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and other neighboring countries. This collaboration involves creating transboundary protected areas, sharing information, and conducting joint anti-poaching operations. Neighboring countries contribute by developing and managing tiger habitats, sharing conservation knowledge, and harmonizing policies to safeguard tiger populations. Regional cooperation ensures that tigers have access to larger, contiguous habitats, which helps maintain genetic diversity and reduces human-wildlife conflict. The success of Project Tiger is closely linked to the efforts of India and its neighboring countries working together towards a common goal of tiger conservation.
Previous Year Questions on International Cooperation for Project Tiger
1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2018 (General Studies Paper I):
Question: Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in 1973 with the objective of conserving:
A) Snow Leopard
B) Bengal Tiger
C) Asiatic Lion
D) Indian Rhinoceros
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: Project Tiger, launched in 1973, aimed specifically at the conservation of the Bengal tiger, which is an endangered species. The project focuses on protecting tiger habitats, reducing poaching, and ensuring a balanced ecosystem for the survival of tigers in India.
2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (General Studies Paper 3):
Question: What are the key benefits of cross-border cooperation for tiger conservation between India and its neighboring countries?
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: Cross-border cooperation enhances the protection of tiger habitats that span multiple countries, such as India, Nepal, and Bhutan. It ensures the creation of transboundary protected areas and facilitates joint conservation efforts like anti-poaching measures, shared resources, and research initiatives. This cooperation ensures a broader, more connected ecosystem for tigers, increasing their chances of survival and promoting regional biodiversity conservation.
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