Tiger Population

About:

• Every four years, India carries out a census of the tiger population across India.
• The latest estimate put the tiger population at 2,967.
• Tigers were reportedly increasing at a rate of about 6% per annum and the area that they occupied was roughly stable, at about 89,000 square km since 2014.
• These numbers are estimated using a sophisticated system that involves photographing animals via camera traps as well as mathematical analysis.
• In 2006, India had 1,411 tigers. This rose to 1,706 in 2010 and 2,226 in 2014 on the back of improved conservation measures and new estimation methods.

How did the numbers increase?

• The consistent implementation of Project Tiger since 1973, whereby dedicated tiger reserves were established in India, as well as anti-poaching measures have played a significant role in tiger conservation.
• India has 53 tiger reserves.
  • Uttar Pradesh’s Ranipur Tiger Reserve has become the 53rd tiger reserve of India.
• However, rising tiger numbers have meant that nearly half the tigers are now outside designated protected zones that lead to increasing instances of human-animal conflict.