By: Dr. Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
Isn’t it alarming that hunting and killing animals has become a form of recreation? We condemn murdering humans, but wiping out entire species gets little consideration. It’s time to rethink our priorities and recognize the value of preserving life on earth. Shouldn’t we be protecting these magnificent creatures instead of pushing them to the brink of extinction.
Our country is unique in having a significant number of tigers in the wild, in spite of growing population and resource extraction pressures on their habitat. Tigers are the heritage of our country, evoked in the vedas, puranas and many other literature for their unparalleled strength and aesthetic beauty. India’s tiger population has seen a significant increase, with the latest census (2022) putting the number at 3,682, accounting for about 70% of the global wild tiger population. However, despite this growth, tigers in India face numerous threats, including habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion have led to a decline in tiger habitats, with India losing over 668,000 hectares of forestland between 2015 and 2023. Tigers are hunted for their body parts, with every part of the tiger being sold in illegal wildlife markets. As tigers venture into human-dominated areas, conflicts arise, often resulting in the death of both humans
India’s tiger population is thriving, with the latest census (2022) putting the number at 3,682, accounting for about 70% of the global wild tiger population. This is a significant increase from 1,411 tigers in 2006, thanks to conservation efforts like Project Tiger. The upcoming 2026 tiger census is expected to show a further increase, with some estimates suggesting a 10-15% jump in numbers. Madhya Pradesh leads the states with 785 tigers, followed by Karnataka (563) and Uttarakhand (560). The census, conducted every four years, involves over 60,000 forest staff and uses cutting-edge technology like camera traps and satellite imaging to track tiger movements and habitats. The 2026 census will also cover areas outside traditional forest habitats, including agricultural lands and human settlements, to get a more accurate picture of tiger populations. Tiger deaths increased to 127 in 2021 from 106 in 2020. And this is the highest number of annual deaths recorded in a decade, beating the record of 2016 when 121 tiger deaths were recorded in the Indian forests. The number of tiger deaths in 2019 was 96.
The destruction of forest coverage by Maoists may be one of the reasons for this decrease. Wild animals deaths were also reported from Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Karnataka and Uttarakhand. No doubt, the world wild life Fund is the international agency, which is doing commendable work in promoting the protection of wildlife and there are number of national agencies engaged in the conservation of wildlife. According to research, the average life span of the tigers in the wild is generally 10-12 years and in natural ecosystem, factors like old age, diseases, internecine fights, electrocution, snaring, drowning, road, rail hits, among others, and a very high infant mortality observed in big cats, including tigers, account for majority of the tiger deaths. Madhya Pradesh leads the states in tiger numbers and, per the 2018 figures, counted 526 of the big cats within its territory. Karnataka was a close second with 524 tigers while Uttarakhand had the third-highest population of 444 tigers.
We should know that we are not just animals, but that we belong to the same family tree as other mammals, that our physiology and bodily processes are just like theirs, and that our mental processes too are from the same general pattern. The protection of the national animal has been a significant achievement till now. Hope this continues and leads to a significant rise in the coming yearsAmong animals, some are fewer in number than the others, If proper care and security are extended to them, the rare animals would survive. Only the future can tell whether national animal will survive to maintain the much-needed ecological balance. If we delay now, it might be too late.
Tigers play a large role in sustaining the biodiversity of forests, in maintaining healthy ecology, habitat conservation and the livelihoods of rural communities. The tiger population has decreased in the states of Telengana & Andhra Pradesh. The destruction of forest coverage by Maoists may be one of the reasons for this decrease. Wild tiger deaths were also reported from Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Karnataka and Uttarakhand. During the first six months of the year, 30 deaths were reported. The protection of the national animal has been a significant achievement till now. Hope this continues and leads to a significant rise in the coming years. Credit must also be given to Aircel for initiating “Save Tiger” campaign, along with New Delhi Television (NDTV), who played an active role in creating awareness among the people on dwindling tiger population in India. A new Tiger commando force should be created to protect tigers from the poachers. Government must try to put in more efforts to improve the arrangements to conserve the national pride – the Tiger.
