Tiger Reserves Need Priority Intervention
Context
The government has identified 25 out of 58 tiger reserves requiring urgent conservation measures due to critically low or absent tiger populations.
Key Highlights
- Priority reserves require habitat restoration and scientific management.
- Habitat fragmentation and poor connectivity are major concerns.
- Community participation and science-based tiger reintroduction are being emphasised.
- Sariska has completed 18 years since tiger reintroduction began.
Way Forward
- Improve habitat connectivity through wildlife corridors.
- Strengthen prey base and anti-poaching measures.
- Promote local community participation in conservation.
- Use scientific monitoring for long-term population recovery.
Facts :
Project Tiger (1973): India’s flagship tiger conservation programme.
NTCA: Statutory authority responsible for tiger conservation and All India Tiger Estimation.
Tiger Reserve: Protected area comprising core and buffer zones.
Keystone Species: Species that play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance.