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Tigers Thrive Outside Parks: India's New Conservation Challenge
29 Jul
Summary
- India's tiger population surged to 3,682 in 2022.
- 35-40% of tigers now reside outside designated reserves.
- New initiative supports tigers and people in shared landscapes.
India's tiger conservation efforts have achieved remarkable success, with the population reaching 3,682 in 2022. This growth has led to approximately 35-40% of tigers now living beyond the boundaries of designated Tiger Reserves. Recognizing this, India has launched the "Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves" (TOTR) initiative.
The TOTR aims to create a framework for conserving tigers in areas outside protected zones. It emphasizes a proactive approach, leveraging technology and community involvement to manage human-tiger interactions. The pilot phase will involve 40 forest divisions across nine states, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
The initiative focuses on two main pillars: reducing human-tiger conflict through enhanced protection and rapid response, and fostering long-term coexistence. This involves community engagement, timely compensation for losses, and the strategic use of modern conservation tools like camera traps and drones. Strengthening state institutions and ensuring swift compensation mechanisms are crucial for building public trust.
This new conservation frontier signifies a shift towards managing shared landscapes where wildlife and human livelihoods intersect. If implemented effectively, the TOTR could demonstrate how people and large carnivores can successfully share space.
