News Notes
Tigers once roamed across Asia, their numbers as high as 100,000 at the start of the 20th century, before the species plummeted to the brink of extinction.
By 2006, their population in India hit a record low of just 1,411 individuals.
India’s efforts at conservation through several decades has paid off. According to the results of the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE), 2022 released in April 2023 by Prime Minister of India, the population of wild tigers in the country is estimated to be a minimum of 3,167. This is an increase of 619 tigers from the 2018 AITE, where the number was 2,461.
A target to double wild tigers globally, also known as Tx2, was set by governments in 2010 at the St. Petersburg International summit on tiger conservation, and India’s tiger numbers continue to contribute significantly to this.
India is home to a majority of tigers in the wild, which is about 70 percent of the world’s wild tiger population. According to the latest research and data, there has been an increase in the number of tigers, and now The Total Number of Wild Tigers Worldwide is 5,574.
The extensive survey involved 641,449 km2 of foot surveys, 32,588 camera counts and 641,102 person days. The survey was led by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, and the Wildlife Institute of India, in collaboration with State Forest Departments. WWF-India was an implementing partner in the survey.
While the future of India’s tigers across vast landscapes has always been a challenge in the face of numerous threats, the latest estimate indicates the relevance of the conservation measures that have been implemented by the Government, Global Tiger Forum, WWF, and other organizations working in the sector.
Ravi Singh, CEO & SG, WWF-India, said, “Project Tiger was conceptualized with the goal of restoring tiger populations and protecting their habitats in India. Today, after five decades, Project Tiger is recognized as one of the most successful species-specific conservation programs globally. The current minimum estimate of 3,167 tigers in the country, as announced by the Prime Minister of India, epitomizes the commitment of the government, local communities and concerned citizens towards protecting our national animal. And to keep this momentum going and see growth and stability in tiger numbers, this exceptional conservation program will require continued dedication of combined efforts and management of human-wildlife interactions.”
The report was released alongside celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger, the Indian government’s conservation program launched in 1973.
“We have thousands of years of history related to tigers… The tiger is considered our brother in many tribes,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an address. “A better future for humanity is only possible when our environments are protected and our biodiversity continues to expand.”
Today, tigers exist on just 7% of the land they used to occupy, according to the WWF.
The latest statistics can be found at: https://worldanimalfoundation.org/advocate/animal-captivity-statistics/
