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| Tiger at home in Biligiri Ranganatha, ENS |
The Indian government gave approval in principle to four more tiger reserves* and requested proposals to protect the critically endangered felines. Setting aside much needed habitat does not by any means insure the Indian tigers' survival in the wild. Poaching is still rampant, and
tiger-human conflicts account for many tiger deaths each year. The
latest estimate using improved techniques is that there are only 1,411 wild tigers in India compared to the estimate of 45,000 animals at the beginning of the last century. The government's "Project Tiger" was set up in 1973 with the creation of the first reserve, Palamau Tiger Reserve. In 2003 the reserve had 42 tigers, now it contains only 6. India now has 38 tiger reserves in 17 states. The reserves are set up on a core and buffer model in which all human disturbances of biota are prohibited in the core areas, while human activity is restricted in buffer zones. Tigers need large areas of forested land to survive and procreate. Under Project Tiger, states are given financial assistance for the relocation of villages from core areas. Last year, government provided funds for relocating five villages in five different states.
*Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple Sanctuary (17 tigers); Pilibhit on the Nepal border (36); Ratapani teak forest (22); Sunabeda forest (32)
