Project Tiger-Present condition

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In the beginning of the 1970s, once tiger hunting had officially been banned in India, a tiger counting was done around the entire country. This lead to the shocking and threatening discovery that only 1800 specimens of this majestic creature were existing. This shook the concerned authorities and some serious thought started masterminding plans to save the tiger. The conclusion was the launch of "Project Tiger" in 1972 at the Dhikala Forest Rest House in Corbett National Park. The prime aim behind the project was to provide safe and secure shelters for tigers where they could grow and generate as a species and comfortably reverse the threatening decline in their population. The project initially had 9 parks that were chosen for it's enforcement. This number has slowly risen and a total of 19 parks are now attached to the project. The project was begun in collaboration with and still receives its main funding from the WWF.

Although the experts say that the project has its shortcomings, the increment in the populations of the tiger is clearly noticeable to even the common man. Many experts had forecasted that the tiger would be extinct by the end of the century, but, whoever may be responsible, the tiger has boastfully proved them wrong. Tiger population may not still be in excellent numbers and poaching still may be a uncontrolled, but a lot more effort is being put into saving and protecting this elusive animal. This is fruitful for the entire natural stock of the country because if the tiger flourishes, so will the jungle and vice-versa.

Project Tiger carries out some very noteworthy work and was unquestionably the best thing to happen for the Bengal subspecies. It is also authenticated to be scientifically sound, something which was heavily doubted during its establishment. The number of tiger reserves have gradually risen from the initial 9 to 19, and in recent times up to a total of 23. These presently cover an area of approximately 33,000 square kilometres.

Present Objectives
Overall, the aims and objectives remain much the same as at the foundation of the Project Tiger. Currently the important objectives comprises of the rehabilitation and relocation of villagers from inside protected areas to outside protected areas. This will lessen conflict between the tiger and the human population.

The Struggle Continues
It is regarded enormously important that the Indian Government provide the Bengal tiger with more much-required protection and care.
Many of the things documentation and ethics remain out of control and conservationists are watching in dismay as tiger numbers once again steadily declined.

Today, the Government spends about US $ 75 million per year in an effort to ensure the survival of the Bengal tiger. Yet this amount is less than ideal. Rangers are desperately short of equipment. Items such as boots, even second-hand ones, and binoculars, are on the much-needed list. Things are so desperate that some staff are stranded at guard posts instead of being able to carry out the routine patrols so necessary to preventing an increase in poaching.

Though the Project Tiger ethics once saved the tiger from extinction, today the adverse truth is Project Tiger faces some major problems and the Bengal tiger is in a very grave and critical situation requiring authorities to be aggressive in an effort to prevent extinction.

FOR MORE INFO
CLICK HERE - indiantiger.org