Tiger Translocation in India was initiated in 2018 when two tigers from Madhya Pradesh were translocated to Odisha to increase the tiger population in the latter state. Read here to learn more about why the translocations are done.
Fifteen Tigers are to be relocated from Bandhavgarh, Panna, Kanha, and Pench tiger reserves to Rajasthan, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
This will be the largest tiger relocation project undertaken by any state.
Madhya Pradesh has the largest tiger population in India, with 785 tigers as per the latest estimates.
It’s being conducted under the Animal Exchange Programme to ensure biodiversity balance.
Inter-State Tiger Translocation Projects
Tiger translocation is a wildlife conservation strategy aimed at relocating tigers from areas of overpopulation or human-wildlife conflict to regions with low tiger densities or suitable habitats to boost tiger populations and ensure their genetic diversity.
This approach is part of India’s efforts under Project Tiger and other conservation programs.
Objectives of Tiger Translocation:
- Population Recovery: Reintroduce tigers into areas where they have become locally extinct.
- Genetic Diversity: Prevent inbreeding in isolated populations by introducing new genetic material.
- Conflict Mitigation: Reduce human-wildlife conflict in areas with high tiger densities.
- Habitat Restoration: Revive ecosystems by reintroducing apex predators, which play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance.
Role of NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority):
- Provides guidelines, oversight, and coordination for tiger translocation projects.
- Ensures adherence to scientific methods and best practices for successful translocation.
Key Translocation Initiatives
India’s first inter-state tiger translocation project was initiated in 2018 wherein two big cats, a male (Mahavir) from Kanha Tiger Reserve and a female (Sundari) from Bandhavgarh from Madhya Pradesh were relocated to Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha, to shore up the tiger population in the state.
- Pilibhit to Dudhwa (Uttar Pradesh)
- To address tiger overpopulation in Pilibhit and boost numbers in Dudhwa.
- Successful adaptation of translocated tigers, contributing to prey population control.
- Panna Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)
- Tigers were declared extinct in 2009.
- Tigers were translocated from Bandhavgarh and Kanha.
- The population has since recovered, with Panna now home to over 70 tigers.
- Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan)
- Local extinction due to poaching by 2004.
- Tigers were translocated from Ranthambore.
- Mixed success; breeding has occurred, but challenges like human interference remain.
- Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan)
- Tigers translocated to establish a new population.
- Limited success due to habitat and prey availability issues.
Read: Bringing Tigers back to the western terai arc-WWF
Failure of the first tiger translocation project
India’s first inter-state tiger translocation project, aimed at boosting tiger populations in Satkosia Tiger Reserve (Odisha), faced significant challenges, ultimately leading to its failure.
Causes of Failure
Lack of Local Community Engagement
- Human-Wildlife Conflict: The translocation caused an increase in incidents of tigers preying on livestock, leading to resentment among local communities.
- Resistance from Villagers: Poor communication and lack of awareness about the project led to opposition from communities living near the reserve.
Habitat Unsuitability
- Limited Prey Base: Satkosia lacked an adequate prey population to sustain relocated tigers, making the area inhospitable.
- Territorial Challenges: The male tiger attempted to move out of the reserve, indicating discomfort with the habitat.
Project Management Issues
- Improper Planning: The project failed to conduct a thorough assessment of the habitat’s readiness to host tigers.
- Monitoring Gaps: There were delays and inefficiencies in tracking and responding to tiger movements.
Mortality and Conflict
- The male tiger was accused of killing a villager, further intensifying local opposition.
- The female tiger reportedly died due to health issues exacerbated by stress and habitat conditions.
Lessons Learned
- Need for Comprehensive Planning: Conduct habitat assessments to ensure adequate prey base, space, and safety.
- Develop conflict mitigation strategies before introducing apex predators.
- Local Community Involvement: Educate and involve local communities to gain their support for conservation efforts.
- Offer compensation schemes and alternative livelihoods to offset potential losses.
- Rigorous Monitoring and Adaptation: Deploy advanced tracking systems to monitor translocated animals.
- Adjust strategies dynamically based on real-time data.
- National Coordination: Enhance collaboration between states to ensure smooth execution and share best practices.
Benefits of Tiger Translocation
- Ecological Balance
- Restores predator-prey dynamics, essential for maintaining healthy forest ecosystems.
- Enhances the biodiversity of underpopulated reserves.
- Mitigating Human-Tiger Conflicts
- Relieves overcrowded tiger reserves, reducing competition among tigers for territory and resources.
- Minimizes instances of tigers straying into human settlements.
- Rewilding Landscapes
- Revives tiger populations in areas where they were historically present but became extinct.
- Contributes to global efforts in conservation and rewilding programs.
Pseudo-melanistic tigers in Simlipal
13 out of 24 adult tigers in Similipal are pseudo-melanistic, a strikingly high ratio. This indicates restricted gene flow and inbreeding within the population.
Key Features of Pseudo-Melanistic Tigers:
- Genetic Trait: Result of a recessive genetic mutation that causes black stripes to be broader and merged, giving the appearance of a “black tiger.”
- Phenotypic Uniqueness: They are not entirely black but exhibit a distinct pattern that differentiates them from standard Bengal tigers.
- Indicator of Inbreeding: The prevalence of this trait, especially in Similipal, suggests a lack of genetic diversity due to isolated populations and inbreeding.
Planned Initiatives:
- Melanistic Tiger Safari: Similipal aims to host the world’s first melanistic tiger safari, showcasing these rare tigers to promote tourism and awareness.
- Could provide economic benefits but must balance conservation needs.
- External Genetic Input: Introduction of tigers from other populations to enhance genetic flow and diversity.
- Requires careful planning to ensure compatibility and minimize ecological disruption.
Pseudo-melanistic tigers are unique to Similipal, making it a critical conservation site for this genetic variation.
The challenge lies in preserving these tigers while ensuring the overall genetic health of the tiger population in the region.
Challenges and Concerns
- Local Community Protests
- Fear of human-wildlife conflict among villagers living near reserves.
- Potential resistance due to livelihood threats and safety concerns.
- Territorial Disputes
- Translocated tigers may face territorial aggression from existing tiger populations.
- Increases the risk of tigers venturing into human-dominated areas.
- Forest Management Issues
- Lack of adequate prey populations in the new habitat can stress relocated tigers.
- Poor enforcement of habitat protection measures undermines conservation efforts.
Way Forward
- Community Involvement
- Conduct awareness campaigns and provide compensation for human-wildlife conflict cases.
- Ensure community participation in decision-making processes.
- Scientific and Strategic Planning
- Conduct thorough habitat suitability assessments before relocation.
- Provide prey augmentation and ensure habitat readiness.
- Post-Translocation Monitoring
- Use satellite collars and camera traps to monitor translocated tigers.
- Implement measures to address emerging challenges such as territorial disputes.
- Strengthening NTCA Guidelines
- Incorporate lessons from past translocation projects like Satkosia to refine strategies.
Conclusion
While the Satkosia project failed, it underscored the importance of comprehensive planning and community engagement in wildlife translocation efforts.
Successful projects like those in Panna and Sariska serve as benchmarks for future initiatives, emphasizing adaptive management, ecological assessments, and stakeholder involvement.
By addressing the challenges and leveraging translocation as a conservation tool, India can enhance the long-term survival of its tiger population while mitigating human-animal conflicts.
Previous Year Questions
Q. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”? (Prelims 2020)
(a) Corbett
(b) Ranthambore
(c) Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam
(d) Sundarbans
Q. Consider the following protected areas: (Prelims 2012)
- Bandipur
- Bhitarkanika
- Manas
- Sunderbans
Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is India’s first interstate tiger translocation project?
Ans: The Tiger Translocation Project in India, the country’s first interstate endeavour, aimed to bolster the tiger population in Odisha’s Satkosia Tiger Reserve. This involved moving tigers from well-populated reserves in Madhya Pradesh, like Bandhavgarh and Kanha.
Q. What is the Project Tiger?
Ans: ‘Project Tiger’ is a tiger conservation programme launched on 1 April 1973 by the Government of India. The project aims to ensure a viable population of Bengal tigers in their natural habitats, protecting them from extinction, and preserving areas of biological importance as a natural heritage.
Related articles:
- Tiger Reserves in India
- International Big Cat Alliance
- Cheetah: Reintroduction in India
- Kuno national park
-Article by Swathi Satish
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