WHY SHOULD WE SAVE TIGERS?
- The existing 39 tiger reserves represent around one-third of our high density forest area.
- More than 350 rivers originate from tiger reserves. Tiger reserves also sequester carbon, provide oxygen and slowly release ground water to regulate floods.
- As top predators, tigers shape the community structure of ecosystems. Tigers prevent over-grazing of the ecosystem by limiting herbivore numbers, and maintain ecological integrity.
- Tigers are solitary and have large home ranges. By this virtue tigers are excellent umbrella species as they provide space for a variety of other species to flourish.
- A powerful cultural mascot of India, a symbol of myth, mystery and imagination. If we lose the tiger, we will indeed lose an integral part of our identity as a nation.
New Findings of National Tiger Assessment-2010- Tiger population in India is between 1571 to 1875
- Comparing the same areas assessed in 2006 the estimate shows a 12 % increase.
- Most tiger source sites continue to maintain viable tiger populations.
- Evidence of new areas populated by tigers, e.g. Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Shivpuri National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
- New methodology for estimating population in Sunderbans.
- Increase in tiger populations in high human use areas e.g. surrounds of Corbett, Ranthambore, Tadoba, Bandhavgarh, Bor, have heightened human-tiger conflict. Policy and management strategies to mitigate are essential for continued survival of these tiger populations.
- Forest personnel involved in data collection: ~4,76,000
- Number of forest beats sampled in Phase I: 29,772
- Total distance walked in Phase I: ~6,25,000 km
- More than 27,300 man-days of researchers
- Total camera traps used: ~800
- Total area camera-trapped: ~10,500 sq. km.
- Number of individual tigers camera trapped: 550
- Total cost: Rs. 9.1 crore
Methodology Used for 2010 Assessment
The All India Tiger Estimation exercise is one of the most crucial components of our national tiger conservation efforts. Since 2006, this monitoring exercise is being undertaken every four years. This report presents the results of the 2010 National Tiger Assessment, undertaken through a best-in-class scientific process. This presents an estimate of India’s current tiger population and a broader assessment of our tiger
landscapes. This monitoring exercise was carried out between December 2009 and December 2010. The three phases of the tiger estimation procedure are as follows:
- Phase 1: Field data collected at the beat-level (i.e. the primary patrolling unit) by trained personnel using a standardised protocol.
- Phase 2: Analysis of habitat status of tiger forests using satellite data.
- Phase 3: Camera trapping was the primary method used, where individual tigers were identified from photographs based on their unique stripe patterns. This information was analysed using a well established scientific framework. Camera trapping was carried out by teams of wildlife biologists and local forest personnel.
Based on the tiger numbers recorded in sampled sites, an estimate for other contiguous tiger-occupied landscapes, was made. For this, additional information such as tiger signs, prey availability, habitat conditions and human disturbance was used. Thus, the final estimates provide a comprehensive and statistically robust result for the whole country.
Innovations in National Tiger Assessment-2010
The 2010 National Tiger Assessment has several innovations over previous assessments. These include:
- Partnerships with civil society organizations such as Wildlife Trust of India, Aaranyak, and World Wildlife Fund for Nature-India. Additional technical expertise from Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB).
- Local communities involved in data collection and analysis.
- Genetic analysis to estimate tiger populations from faecal samples.
- Along with tigers, co-predators, prey, and habitat quality assessed.
- Pioneering attempt to estimate tiger populations in Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (West Bengal) using satellite telemetry and sign surveys.
- First estimation of tiger population in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra).
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