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Roar in TN: Tiger numbers up by over 3 times in 12 years
Wildlife experts, however, claim that tiger habitats are being destroyed across the state owing to rapid urbanisation; call for data to be verified by independent body of ecologists.
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Anti-poaching camps and efforts to protect tigers in Tamil Nadu have increased the big cat population for the third consecutive census taken up once in four years. From 76 tigers in 2006, the number of big cats in the state has shot up to 264 in 2018, says the report on the Status of Tigers in India — 2018 released by the National Tiger Conservation Authority on World Tiger Day.
Despite surge in tiger numbers, those here continue to face habitat destruction and Tamil Nadu — the fifth largest tiger state — has been witnessing rapid urbanisation unlike other tiger states, warn biologists pointing out that the foresters should not be elated as there are serious issues pertaining to tiger habitats along Western Ghats.
“The tiger is a fecund species that breeds well when its habitat and prey base are protected. There is no doubt that tiger numbers have rebounded in many regions across the country, thanks to increased protection. But, if the numbers put out by the government are to have any credibility, they must be verified and validated by a reputed, independent body of ecologists,” Shekar Dattatri, wildlife and conservation filmmaker told DT Next.
One of the greatest threats to tigers in the state and in other parts of the country is the increasing fragmentation of habitats by highways, railway lines, micro-hydel projects, illegal encroachments for cultivation, said Dattatri, who had served as for the National Board for Wildlife. He said that the government must ensure that large blocks of forest remain intact and ensure connectivity between forests to allow animals to move freely between them.
Monday also saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi presenting the best management award to Sathyamangalam tiger reserve. Speaking about it conservation scientist and member of Sathyamangalam Tiger Conservation Authority A Kumaraguru said, “Today is a proud moment for everyone associated with Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu for bagging the award for excellence in recognition of annual increment in tiger population of more than 30 percent which is the highest in a tiger landscape. With four tiger reserves, the state has positioned itself as a state that can manage its tigers better than the rest.” Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve supports between 70 to 90 tigers.
Kumaraguru, “Such awards are given to tiger reserves after studying more than 30 parameters like tiger conservation plan, genetic mapping, DNA analysis of cubs, livelihood support from forests, evaluation of research, threats faced by big cats, local community participation in conserving tigers, prey — predator support cycle”.
State ranks 5th in tiger population
India is now home to 90 percent of the global tiger population and Tamil Nadu, along with other southern states of Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh has contributed to one third of the country’s total tiger population of 2,967, stated a survey on tiger population released on Monday.
Madhya Pradesh has ranked first with 526 tigers followed by Karnataka and Uttarakhand with 524 and 442 individuals. At 312, Maharashtra has the four largest population of tigers.
Tamil Nadu has ranked fifth with 264 tigers while Kerala and Assam each has around 190 tigers according to the 40-page detailed report released on Monday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also the chairman of National Tiger Conservation Authority.
While the latest data on the country’s tiger population indicates that the conservation activities taken up by state governments and other stake holders have been effective, wildlife conservationists said they preferred to go by the lower limit of tiger population which stands at 2,603 as per the report.
While the bureaucrats were thrilled and excited with India accounting for a thirty per cent increase in tiger population in the last four years. There were unanswered queries in the minds of realistic conservationists who are more worried about degrading forests and tiger habitats. “The good news about tigers is that the numbers have gone up and nobody can deny that. From 1,400, the number have been increasing for the past 12 years,” wildlife conservationist Valmik Thapar told DT Next. “I would like to rest at the lower range of the tiger figure which according to the report is 2,603. I am a realistic person to be on the lower side. From the 20 states (before formation of Telangana, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh) that had tigers, three have shown a decline in their tiger populations. The density of the tigers is extremely variable in Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh accounting for high density,” said Thapar.
Mitigation for tiger and quick compensation for tiger kills continues to be a problem in the country. According to Thapar, independent scientists should be roped in and due credit should be given to wildlife veterans like Ullas Karanth and Ram Chandra Kandel.
“This, however, is a victory for the state governments and individual stake holders as the Centre just gives funds, but the real protector of the tigers are the regional governments and local public,” Thapar said.
He also said that it is important to find out why some states recorded a decline in their tiger population and solve other problems related to wildlife. “ We should also take lessons from the Africa concept of wildlife tour and evolve an indigenous model,” Thapar said.
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