Tiger Conservation Roadmap: Towards Landscape-Based Tiger Conservation

Context

On the 18th anniversary of tiger reintroduction in Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan), the Union Government released two key documents: a roadmap for future tiger conservation and a review of 12 tiger reintroduction programmes. The roadmap marks a shift from a population-centric approach to landscape-based conservation, with emphasis on habitat restoration, ecological connectivity, and recovery of underperforming tiger reserves.

Status of Tiger Conservation in India

1. India’s tiger population has increased from 1,411 in 2006 to 3,682 in 2022.
2. The country has 58 tiger reserves spread across nearly 85,000 sq. km.
3. Despite this progress, tiger distribution remains uneven:

1. 1. Around 36% of the total population is concentrated in 10–12 reserves.
   2. Twelve reserves support fewer than three tigers each.
   3. Kawal (Telangana), Kamlang (Arunachal Pradesh), and Dampa (Mizoram) currently have no resident tiger population.

Key Conservation Challenges

1. High-Density Reserves

1. High tiger densities drive dispersal into adjoining human-use landscapes.
2. This results in:

• 1. Increased human–tiger conflict.
  2. Greater dependence on livestock as prey.
  3. Higher mortality due to roads, railways, canals, and other infrastructure.

2. Low-Density Reserves

1. Several reserves have suitable habitats but suffer from poor prey density and the absence of viable breeding populations.
2. Habitat fragmentation further limits natural dispersal and population recovery.

Source and Sink Populations

The roadmap highlights the imbalance between source and sink populations as a major conservation concern.

Source Populations (Net Exporters)

1. Reserves with healthy habitats, abundant prey, and stable breeding populations.
2. They naturally supply dispersing tigers to neighbouring landscapes.
3. Examples include Corbett, Bandipur, and Kaziranga.

Sink Populations (Net Receivers)

1. Areas with few or no breeding tigers because of inadequate prey, fragmented habitats, or poor connectivity.
2. These landscapes require ecological restoration before they can support self-sustaining populations.

Reducing the gap between source and sink populations is essential for ensuring long-term population stability and genetic diversity.

Conservation Strategy

The roadmap proposes a landscape-level approach by:

1. Consolidating healthy populations in 13 source tiger reserves.
2. Identifying 25 priority reserves for habitat restoration, prey-base augmentation, and improved protection.
3. Considering tiger reintroduction only after scientific assessment in reserves with critically low populations.
4. Strengthening ecological corridors connecting tiger reserves, territorial forests, and multiple-use landscapes to facilitate natural dispersal.

Priority Recipient Sites and the Metapopulation Approach

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) evaluated all 58 tiger reserves using indicators such as:

1. Habitat quality,
2. Prey availability, and
3. Tiger population status.

Based on this assessment:

1. Twenty-five reserves were identified for priority intervention.
2. The Central Indian–Eastern Ghats landscape contains the largest number of priority reserves.
3. The North Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra floodplains offer strong recovery potential through improved protection, prey restoration, and habitat connectivity.

The roadmap advocates a metapopulation approach, enabling movement between connected tiger populations to maintain gene flow, improve genetic diversity, and minimise local extinction risks.

Lessons from Tiger Reintroduction

The review of 12 reintroduction programmes highlights important conservation experiences.

Key Lessons for Future Reintroductions

Successful reintroduction requires:

1. Suitable habitat with an adequate prey base.
2. Strong protection against poaching.
3. Functional habitat connectivity.
4. Long-term monitoring and adaptive management.
5. Active participation and support of local communities.
6. Careful assessment of ecological as well as socio-economic conditions.

Accordingly, tiger reintroduction should be adopted only as a measure of last resort, after all essential ecological and social prerequisites have been fulfilled.

Institutional Framework

1. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): Statutory body established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, responsible for implementing Project Tiger and overseeing tiger reserve management.
2. Wildlife Institute of India (WII): Provides scientific research and technical support for wildlife conservation and species recovery.
3. Project Tiger (1973): India’s flagship conservation programme aimed at securing viable tiger populations and their habitats.

Significance of the Roadmap

1. Shifts the focus from increasing tiger numbers to building self-sustaining populations.
2. Promotes landscape-based conservation instead of isolated reserve management.
3. Prioritises habitat restoration, prey-base augmentation, and ecological connectivity.
4. Facilitates gene flow between tiger populations, reducing long-term extinction risks.
5. Integrates scientific planning with community participation to improve conservation outcomes.

Conclusion

The roadmap represents the next phase of India’s tiger conservation strategy, moving beyond population growth towards landscape-level ecosystem management. By strengthening underperforming reserves, restoring habitats, improving connectivity, and involving local communities, it seeks to create resilient tiger populations across interconnected landscapes. This approach provides a stronger foundation for the long-term conservation of India’s national animal while balancing ecological sustainability with human interests.