In India, there are 53 tiger reserves that are governed by Project Tiger, which is administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The Government of India launched Project Tiger in 1973 in order to save the endangered species of tiger in India. India is home to 80% of the world's tigers. In this article, we will discuss regarding tiger reserves in India which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

What are Tiger Reserves?

• Tiger reserves are designated areas for the protection of tigers and their prey, and are governed by Project Tiger, which was established in the country in 1973.
• On the recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the State Government shall declare an area a tiger reserve.
• There were 1,411 tigers in 2006, which increased to 1706 in 2011, 2226 in 2014 and 2967 in 2018.
• According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Global Tiger Summit (GTF), the total number of wild tigers worldwide increased to 3890 in 2016.
• Beginning with nine reserves in 1973-74, the number has grown to fifty-three.
• These project tiger areas cover a total area of 71027.10 km2.
• The existing tiger reserves cover roughly one-third of India's dense forest area.

Map of Tiger Reserves

Core-Buffer Strategy of Tiger Reserves

Core Area

• The core area is kept free of biotic disturbances and forestry operations, and no minor forest produce, grazing, or human disturbances are permitted.
• These areas must be preserved for the sake of tiger conservation, without jeopardising the rights of Scheduled Tribes or other forest dwellers.
• The State Government notifies these areas in consultation with an Expert Committee (constituted for that purpose).
• The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act of 2006 includes provisions for Critical Wildlife Habitats (CWHs).
• The Ministry of Environment and Forests has the authority to notify the rules for designating a CWH.
• The State Government must initiate the process of notifying critical wildlife habitat by submitting a case-by-case application to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, which is the nodal agency under the Act. Thus, only the Central Government declares Critical Wildlife Habitats.

Buffer Area

• The buffer area is the area adjacent to the critical tiger habitat or core area that provides supplementary habitat for dispersing tigers while also allowing for the coexistence of human activity.
• The buffer/peripheral area boundaries are determined using scientific and objective criteria in consultation with the Gram Sabha and an Expert Committee formed for the purpose.

Tiger Conservation Plan (TCP)

• Section 38 v (3) of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 states that the State Government shall prepare a Tiger Conservation Plan, which shall include a plan for staff development and deployment for the proper management of each area referred to in sub-section (1), in order to ensure-
  • Tiger reserve protection and provision of tiger reserve-specific habitat inputs to maintain a viable population of tigers, co-predators, and prey animals.
  • Ecologically compatible land uses in tiger reserves and areas connecting one Protected Area (PA) to another PA or tiger reserve for the purpose of providing dispersal habitat and corridors.
  • Regular forest division operations and divisions adjacent to tiger reserves are not incompatible with tiger conservation needs.
• The TCPs of 35 tiger reserves have been approved by NTCA, while the rest are in the process of being prepared or scrutinised.

Tiger Conservation Foundation (TCF)

• Tiger conservation is a shared responsibility shared by the Centre and the States, necessitating coordinated, innovative, and time-bound action.
• The Government of India has taken a number of landmark initiatives in this regard, and necessary institutional changes have been implemented, in addition to revising the ongoing Project Tiger Scheme with increased funding to assist the tiger states.
• According to Section 38X of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, the State Government shall establish a Tiger Conservation Foundation (TCF) for tiger reserves within the State in order to facilitate and support tiger reserve management for the conservation of tigers and associated biodiversity, as well as to take eco-development initiatives through people participation in the development process.

Objectives of TCF

• To promote ecological, economic, social, and cultural development in tiger reserves.
• To promote eco-tourism with the participation of local stakeholder communities and to provide assistance in protecting the natural environment in tiger reserves.
• To facilitate the creation and/or maintenance of such assets as may be required to achieve the aforementioned objectives.
• To seek technical, financial, social, legal, and other support for the Foundation's activities in order to achieve the aforementioned goals.
• To supplement and mobilize financial resources, including the recycling of entry and other fees collected in a tiger reserve, in order to promote stakeholder development and eco-tourism.
• To support research, environmental education, and training in the fields mentioned above.

Importance of Tiger Reserves

• The tiger is one of the primary predators on which the entire ecosystem depends; by protecting tigers, the ecosystem's balance is also protected.
• The tiger is an umbrella species whose conservation leads to the conservation of many other species, including ungulates, pollinators, and other small animals.
• Tiger reserves provide a safe haven for tigers and other wildlife species while also providing humans with a variety of ecosystem services.
• The economic valuation of around 10 of the country’s tiger reserves shows that for every rupee spent on their management, they provided benefits of Rs 2,500 per reserve.
• Tiger reserves provide a variety of ecosystem services that are extremely valuable at a time when countries are heavily investing in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Tiger reserves "provide resilience for climate change and other environmental challenges that the world faces today by conserving what matters" and are "critical if future generations are to enjoy natural landscapes that exist today."
• Natural ecosystems in tiger reserves provide adequate resources to humans worth between Rs. 16.43 billion and Rs. 70.42 billion (Rs. 1,643-7,042 crore).
• Forests are critical for increasing water flow and tiger reserves. Conserving these forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems has a significant impact on the watershed's hydrological processes.
• The health benefits of tiger reserves include ecosystem services such as gene pool protection (for flora and fauna), carbon sequestration, water provisioning, biological control, pollination, recreation, nature interpretation, and climate regulation, all of which have a "huge direct and indirect impact on human health."

List of Tiger Reserves in India

Conclusion

The tiger is a one-of-a-kind animal that plays an important role in the health and diversity of an ecosystem. It is a top predator at the top of the food chain that regulates the population of wild ungulates, thereby maintaining the balance between herbivore prey and the vegetation on which they feed. As a result, the presence of tigers in the forest is an indicator of the ecosystem's health. The extinction of this top predator indicates that its ecosystem is not adequately protected, and it would not exist for long afterward.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What was the main objective of Project Tiger in India?

A) To protect tiger habitats
B) To reduce the number of tigers in forests
C) To develop the tiger tourism industry
D) To create more national parks and wildlife sanctuaries

2. How many Tiger Reserves are there in India as of 2023?

A) 40
B) 53
C) 60
D) 70

3. Which of the following is a major threat to tiger populations in India?

A) Climate change
B) Tiger poaching
C) Deforestation
D) All of the above

4. What is one of the key contributions of Tiger Reserves to local communities?

A) Providing financial aid to farmers
B) Offering eco-tourism opportunities
C) Building new schools
D) Supplying forest products

5. Which organization is primarily responsible for the management of Tiger Reserves in India?

A) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
B) National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
C) Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI)
D) Forest Survey of India (FSI)

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the importance of Tiger Reserves in India’s biodiversity conservation strategy.

Answer: Tiger Reserves in India play a critical role in biodiversity conservation by safeguarding the habitats of Bengal tigers and other species that depend on these ecosystems. As apex predators, tigers help maintain the balance of the ecosystem by controlling the populations of prey species, thereby preventing overgrazing and promoting healthy vegetation growth. Tiger Reserves also protect a wide range of flora and fauna, contributing to the overall health of forests and wildlife. These reserves, by maintaining ecological balance, help preserve biodiversity, which is essential for the sustainability of natural resources and human well-being. Additionally, they provide opportunities for research, eco-tourism, and community engagement, which are important for long-term conservation efforts.

Q2: Discuss the socio-economic benefits of Tiger Reserves to local communities.

Answer: Tiger Reserves offer several socio-economic benefits to local communities, particularly through eco-tourism. The presence of a tiger reserve attracts tourists, creating employment opportunities in hospitality, guiding, transportation, and conservation activities. It also promotes sustainable livelihoods for local communities by encouraging the development of forest-based products and services. Furthermore, Tiger Reserves can contribute to the preservation of local cultures and traditions, as communities play an integral role in conservation efforts. The income generated from eco-tourism can be reinvested in local infrastructure, education, and health services, improving the overall quality of life in the region. The promotion of conservation awareness among local communities also leads to greater environmental responsibility.

Q3: Evaluate the impact of human-wildlife conflict on tiger conservation in India.

Answer: Human-wildlife conflict is a significant challenge to tiger conservation in India, especially as tiger habitats shrink due to urbanization, agriculture, and deforestation. As tigers venture into human settlements in search of food, they often come into conflict with people, leading to fatalities on both sides. Livestock predation by tigers can lead to resentment and retaliation by local farmers, while tiger poaching remains a serious threat due to the high value of tiger parts on the black market. Addressing human-wildlife conflict requires strategies such as building wildlife corridors, promoting better land-use planning, and educating local communities about the importance of tiger conservation. Additionally, providing compensation for losses caused by tigers and fostering better human-wildlife coexistence practices are essential for reducing conflict and ensuring the long-term survival of tigers.

Previous Year Questions on Tiger Conservation

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: How many Tiger Reserves are there in India as of 2020?

A) 50
B) 53
C) 60
D) 45

Answer: (B)

Explanation: As of 2020, India has 53 Tiger Reserves dedicated to the conservation of tigers and their habitats.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 3):

Question: Discuss the challenges faced in tiger conservation in India and suggest measures to overcome them.

Answer: Tiger conservation in India faces several challenges, including habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. The expansion of human settlements and agriculture into tiger habitats has fragmented forests, while poaching continues to be a major threat. Human-wildlife conflict arises when tigers venture into populated areas, causing harm to people and livestock. To overcome these challenges, it is essential to strengthen law enforcement against poaching, create and maintain wildlife corridors to reduce habitat fragmentation, and promote community-based conservation efforts. Additionally, increasing public awareness and fostering human-wildlife coexistence through compensation and mitigation strategies will help ensure the survival of tigers and other wildlife species.