India has seen its tiger population double over the past decade, thanks to successful conservation efforts. The country now home to around 75% of the global tiger population, with an estimated 3,682 tigers as of 2022. The growth is attributed to a combination of factors, including protection from poaching and habitat loss, increased prey availability, reduced human-wildlife conflict, and the economic benefits brought in by ecotourism.
The study, published in the journal Science, found that local communities near tiger habitats have also benefited from the increase in tigers. The lead author, Yadvendradev Jhala, notes that the key to successful conservation is not human density, but rather the attitude of people towards wildlife.
Wildlife experts welcomed the study, but emphasized the need for more data sharing and coordination among scientists. While some estimates have been chaotic and contradictory in the past, the study’s findings seem to have corrected an anomaly related to tiger population size and distribution.
The growth of India’s tiger population has also highlighted the importance of strong wildlife protection legislation, according to Jhala. Habitat quality is a constraint, rather than habitat availability itself. The success of conservation efforts in India serves as a model for other countries with similar challenges.
However, experts stress that conservation efforts must be extended to other species and ecosystems to ensure the long-term health of biodiversity. Ravi Chellam, a wildlife biologist, notes that several species are on the brink of extinction and require more attention.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/tigers-india-population-figures-study-7c09fec9b973c91dd659cd14d9858f13