Tiger Reintroduction in Buxa
CONTEXT
- A tigress captured in Bihar is set to become the first of seven tigers proposed for relocation to Buxa Tiger Reserve over a period of two years.
- The editorial highlights that tiger translocation alone cannot ensure long term success. It must be accompanied by restoration of prey populations, suitable habitat and wildlife corridors.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Buxa forms part of a transboundary landscape connected with Bhutan’s Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary and Assam’s Manas.
- Dense, closed canopy forests have reduced grassland availability, resulting in a decline in ungulate prey.
- Railways, roads, tea estates and human settlements have fragmented wildlife corridors and increased the possibility of human wildlife conflict.
- Authorities have undertaken measures such as reintroducing chital, opening selected forest canopy areas and relocating villages from critical core zones.
- Successful tiger reintroduction depends on several factors, including territory establishment, breeding, cub survival and natural immigration, which helps maintain genetic diversity.
KEY CONCEPTS
- Source population: A population that naturally produces animals capable of dispersing to other habitats.
- Sink population: A population that depends on immigration from other populations for its continued existence.
- Project Tiger: Launched in 1973, the programme focuses on tiger conservation through protection of core habitats along with appropriate management of buffer areas.
WAY FORWARD
- Ecological conditions should be restored before introducing additional predators.
- Transboundary wildlife corridors need to be secured to facilitate natural movement of tigers and maintain genetic connectivity.
- Local forest communities should be involved in conservation decisions, benefit sharing mechanisms and human wildlife conflict mitigation.