Why in NEWS
July 29 marked International Tiger Day, spotlighting global and Indian efforts in conserving the tiger, including the rare Amur Tiger, the world’s largest wild cat.
Key Terms & Concepts
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Tx2 Goal | Global target to double wild tiger population by 2022, set at the 2010 St. Petersburg Summit. |
| Project Tiger | India’s flagship tiger conservation program, launched in 1973. |
| NTCA | National Tiger Conservation Authority; monitors and regulates Project Tiger. |
| Core-Buffer Strategy | Core zones are protected habitats; buffer zones allow sustainable human use. |
| Amur Tiger | Largest tiger subspecies; lives in Russian Far East; culturally revered by local tribes. |
About International Tiger Day
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | At the 2010 St. Petersburg Tiger Summit |
| Countries Involved | 13 tiger-range countries (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Malaysia, etc.) |
| Purpose | Raise awareness and mobilize action to protect wild tiger populations |
India’s Role in Tiger Conservation
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Need | From ~1 lakh tigers in early 1900s to just 1,827 in 1972 |
| Action Taken | Project Tiger launched in 1973 with 9 reserves |
| Current Status | Over 50 reserves in 18 states; covers 2.2% of India’s land |
| Tiger Census 2022 | Estimated 3,682 tigers, upper limit 3,925 |
| States Leading | Madhya Pradesh > Karnataka > Uttarakhand > Maharashtra |
| Top Reserves | Corbett, Bandipur, Nagarhole, Bandhavgarh |
| Largest Reserve | Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh) |
| Current Scheme | From FY 2023–24, merged as Project Tiger & Elephant |
| Growth Rate | 6.1% per year; India now holds ~75% of world’s tigers |
Iconic Figures & Cultural Significance
| Figure | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Machhli (T-16) | Legendary tigress of Ranthambore; symbol of successful conservation. |
| Kailash Sankhala | Known as Tiger Man of India; 1st director of Project Tiger. |
| Royal Bengal Tiger | India’s National Animal; revered in Indian culture & mythology. |
Amur Tiger – Global Significance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Russia’s Far East; adapted to cold with thick fur & fat |
| Diet | Hunts wild boar, deer, sometimes bears |
| Cultural Role | Indigenous tribes (Udeghe, Nanai) worship it as a guardian spirit |
| Conservation Threats | Poaching and habitat fragmentation |
In a Nutshell
Mnemonic: TIGER-C
Tx2 Summit goal
India’s 75% global share
Growth rate: 6.1% per year
Elephant scheme merged
Reserves expanded to 50+
Cultural icons: Machhli & Sankhala
Prelims Questions
- Which of the following is the largest tiger reserve in India?
a) Corbett
b) Bandhavgarh
c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam
d) Periyar - Project Tiger was launched in response to:
a) Habitat destruction
b) Deforestation
c) Decline in tiger numbers
d) Human-wildlife conflict - Which of the following statements is correct?
a) Amur tiger is native to South Asia.
b) NTCA conducts tiger census every 2 years.
c) Project Tiger began with 50 reserves.
d) India hosts about 75% of the world’s wild tigers.
Answer Key (Prelims)
| Qn | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | c | Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam is the largest by area. |
| 2 | c | It was launched due to a sharp fall in tiger numbers. |
| 3 | d | Only (d) is correct; others are factually wrong. |
