Tiger Reintroduction & Recovery Programme

Why in News

The Government identified 25 Tiger Reserves for priority recovery using science-led interventions.

Key Data

India has 58 Tiger Reserves.

Around 25 reserves have:

• No tigers, or
• Low tiger populations, or
• Low prey abundance

India's tiger population was reported as growing at approximately:

6% annually

Potential Recipient Reserves

Examples:

• Satkosia — Odisha
• Buxa — West Bengal
• Palamau — Jharkhand

Major Challenges

1. Low prey density

Tiger conservation requires adequate populations of herbivores.

2. Fragmented habitat connectivity

Isolated tiger populations face:

• Genetic isolation
• Reduced dispersal
• Greater human-wildlife conflict

3. Left-Wing Extremism

Protection efforts are affected in parts of the Central-Eastern belt.

Conservation Formula

Tiger conservation ≠ Tiger protection alone

It requires:

Tiger + Prey + Habitat + Corridors + Local communities + Law enforcement

Mains Value Addition

Science-based reintroduction should consider:

• Carrying capacity
• Genetic diversity
• Prey availability
• Habitat quality
• Wildlife corridors
• Human settlements
• Community participation

GS Link

GS III: Environment, Biodiversity, Wildlife Conservation