From the Tiger Census: Steep growth after a shortfall in MP
MP had recorded about 300 tigers in 2006. Further, the downfall to 257 in 2010 struck the state’s title. It was in 2010, that the title of Tiger State was lost to Karnataka, where 300 tigers were recorded.
Further, in 2014, MP stood at 308 tigers and Karnataka continued to grow the numbers 406 stealing the title away for another survey. Finally, in 2018, MP regained its title of Tiger State by recording 526 tigers against Karnataka’s 524 tigers.
“MP has also registered a substantial increase in their tiger population and along with Karnataka ranks highest in tiger numbers,” the census report said. On the low end, the poor and continuing decline in tiger status in the states of Chhattisgarh and Odisha is a matter of concern.
Tiger Growth over the Years
State 2006 2010 2014 2018
Madhya Pradesh 300 257 308 526
Karnataka 290 300 406 524
TOTAL in India 1,411 1,706 2,226 2,967
Highest gain recorded in Central India
Further, as shown in the report, highest gain recorded in the country is recorded in Central India with 18,089 tigers in 2018 over 2014. “This analysis suggests that loss and gain of tiger occupancy was mostly from habitat pockets that support low density populations,” the report said.
It added that such habitats with low density tigers, though contributing minimally to overall tiger numbers, are crucial links for gene flow and maintaining connectivity between source populations
Tiger view in India
In India, as per the census report a total of 2,461 individual tigers (>1 year of age) were photo-captured. The overall tiger population in India was estimated at 2,967 (SE range 2,603 to 3,346).
Out of this, 83% were actually camera trapped individual tigers and 87% were accounted for by camera trap based capture-mark-recapture and remaining 13% estimated through covariate based models. Tigers were observed to be increasing at a rate of 6% per annum in India when consistently sampled areas were compared from 2006 to 2018
For the first time in India, we will be using the Lidar survey technology for effective fodder and water augmentation in forest area, as announced by Javadekar on Tuesday.
Pink Power: the secret weapon among others leading MP to becoming Tiger State
There are combinations of factors that helped MP boost its tiger population by providing conducive environment. Among other protection measures, a major change that helped MP in boosting Tiger population is ‘Pink Power’.
Until 2014, the number of female staff in forest department was barely accountable. In slowly but committed manner, over the last five years, female staff was increased to 30 to 40 percent.
“Women staff is essential in cognitive work, especially in forest where we are dealing with wildlife and even when we are dealing with villagers countering human-animal conflict,” forest public relation officer (wildlife) shared.
He shared that about 10,000 females were hired in the staff, which helped in better management. “Even in STF (special task force), we have been able to perform much better with female staff, hence controlling wildlife crime,” the officer said.
He explained that 550 offenders of wildlife crime have been arrested by MP STF in the last 5 years. The offenders were from 11 states and some were even offenders of international wildlife crime.
With better claims, community support, social engagements, supporting villagers, better rescue facilities and management, MP has finally taken the up-stream to tiger population.