50 years of Project Tiger

50 years of Project Tiger

Context: Here, we discuss in context of 50 years since launch of Project Tiger in 1973 how it has helped conserve Tigers, increased tiger numbers and how wildlife laws have evolved.

About Project Tiger:
• Project Tiger is a conservation program launched by the Indian government on April 1, 1973, to protect tigers from extinction due
to widespread hunting and poaching.
• The primary objectives of Project Tiger are to promote the conservation of the tiger and its habitat, control the poaching of tigers, and maintain a viable population of tigers in India.

How have Wildlife laws evolved?
• National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries were established under Wildlife protection act, 1972, affecting the rights of forestdwellers and strengthening state control. Under this act, Critical Tiger Habitats (CTHs), also known as the core areas of tiger reserves, are identified.
• The statutory backing through WPA, 1972 led to the subsequent launch of Project Tiger in 1973.
• The WPA was amended in 2006 which led to formation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and introduction of tiger conservation plans, modifying rights of forest-dwellers in tiger reserves.
• Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 (FRA) recognized rights of forest-dwellers in tiger reserves and established Gram Sabhas as authorities for forest management.
• Introduction of Critical Wildlife Habitat (CWH) under FRA which was different from CTH under WLPA, once notified as CWH, land couldn’t be diverted for non-forest purposes.
• Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013 which mandates fair compensation and rehabilitation for relocated people.

Success story of Project Tiger:
• Tiger Reserves are internationally acclaimed as India’s environmental and forest conservation success story.
• Started with 9 Reserves covering 9,115 sq. km in 1973, there are now 54 in 18 States, spanning 78,135.9 sq. km (2.38% of India’s land area).
• Critical Tiger Habitats (CTHs) cover 42,913.37 sq. km (26% of the area under National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries).
• Tiger Census 2022 reported 3,167-3,925 tigers in India, with an annual population growth of 6.1%.
• India claims to host 75% of the world’s tiger population.

What are Concerns Regarding India’s Tiger Protection and Conservation Plans?
• The Buffer Area outside the Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) aims to foster human-animal coexistence while respecting the rights of local communities. However, the overarching ‘fortress conservation’ strategy has inadvertently displaced communities that historically coexisted with tigers.
• The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 (FRA) while recognizes forest-dweller rights, the implementation has been problematic, leading to disputes over land use in tiger reserves.
• Lack of adequate compensation and transparency in rehabilitation and relocation process of tribals has led to dispute, distrust and dissatisfaction among relocated communities.