India is acknowledged as the natural guardian of 75 percent of the world’s wild tiger population, basked in the triumph of escalated tiger numbers as per the latest tiger census. A surge from 2,967 in 2018 to 3,682 in 2022 resonated hope amongst all. Madhya Pradesh led the tally, sheltering about 785 tigers, followed by Karnataka with about 563, Uttarakhand with about 560, and Maharashtra with about 444 in the year 2022. A heartening upsurge predominantly danced through Central India, Shivalik Hills, and Gangetic Plains in the past few years.
Unfortunately, the jubilation was marred by regional tiger imbalances, particularly noticeable in the Western Ghats. Disconcerting trends whispered from certain regions—Mizoram, Nagaland, Jharkhand, Goa, Chhattisgarh, and Arunachal Pradesh—where tiger populations reduced at alarming lows. The detailed census echoed the highest tiger population staying in Madhya Pradesh, with Karnataka and Uttarakhand in tow, raising aspirations for robust conservation strategies.
But shadows loomed large and the road ahead for majestic tiger is uphill and tiring. The scale of tiger mortality in India hit a crescendo, claiming 202 lives of the majestic tigers in 2023, which was a record peak in over a decade. These grim figures, meticulously cataloged by the Wildlife Protection Society of India, shed light on the perilous toll: 147 succumbed to natural causes, while 55 fell prey to poaching’s sinister grip. Maharashtra bore the brunt, recording 52 fatalities, nearly half transpiring in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts. NTCA’s (National Tiger Conservation Authority) vigilant eye noticed the mortality surge from 2012, painting a concerning trajectory: 96 deaths in 2019, escalating to 202 in 2023.
The rising death count of tigers in Madhya Pradesh has triggered concerns that it is at risk of losing the “tiger state” status to Karnataka as its toll is more than twice than that of Karnataka in recent times. The growth, though in numbers of tigers, had led to a problem of plenty with most of MP’s reserves reaching their carrying capacity, territorial fights became more common, and the weaker ones began to be killed or pushed out in larger numbers. These dispersing tigers often ended up falling victim to wire traps, poachers, and human-animal conflicts. Though the number of tigers did not decline, the population continued to grow. MP recorded 202 tiger deaths between 2012-2020, followed by 141 in Maharashtra, and now we can see the difference as to how things are adversely changing. In fact, in 2023, the tiger death rate in Maharashtra was more than MP. The tiger State of MP is losing one tiger to natural or unnatural causes every week in the last eight months. Bandhavgarh has the largest number of tigers in the State as per the data of the latest tiger census of 2022.
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 enshrines a robust framework for tiger conservation, mandating State governments to devise Tiger Conservation Plans. These plans, purposed to preserve tiger habitats and facilitate ecological harmonies, are integral components of the 50 tiger reserves, with 35 receiving NTCA’s sanction.
Source: Barandbench
