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Introduction
The Project Tiger, launched
in 1973-74 has been one of the most flourishing conservation ventures of recent times. Started by the Government of India under the leadership of the then Prime Minister Mrs.Indira Gandhi, this project aims to preserve a feasible tiger population in the natural environment.
Aims of Project Tiger
The tiger population was alarmingly decreasing, with a constant decline in the extent of wilderness in the country. So, Project Tiger aimed to create large natural habitats for tigers and other wild animals by making special Tiger Reserves throughout the country on a ‘core-buffer’ strategy.
The core areas were freed from all disturbances and human activities for the tigers while the buffer areas were put to conservation oriented land use such as wildlife safaris for the visitors. There were 8 national parks initially that were declared an integral part of the Tiger Project. In recent times there are many national parks in India that are graded as Project Tiger Reserve.
Project Tiger started with the national park at Uttaranchal, the Corbett National park in the year 1973.
First stages of Project Tiger
Project tiger started as a ‘central sector scheme’ till it acquired the status of a ‘centrally sponsored scheme’ and even got a lot of aid from the W.W.F. During the first stages, Project Tiger aimed to concentrate on issues such as maintaining the ecological balance of the forest, prevention of poaching, destruction of natural habitats and other such matters. For this purpose, entire villages were relocated to prevent clash of interest of the humans and the animals.
The Tiger Reserves in India
There were initially 9
main tiger reserves in India established in different states with the resources from the central and the state governments. These are at
Manas (Assam)
Palamau (Bihar)
Similipal (Orissa)
Corbett (U.P.)
Kanha (M.P.)
Melghat (Maharashtra)
Bandipur (Karnataka)
Ranthambhore (Rajasthan)
Sunderbans (West Bengal).
Progress in Project Tiger
Project Tiger achieved in recovering the habitat and increasing the population of the tigers in the reserve areas, thus helping in conservation of tigers in India. Under ‘Project Tiger’ not only tigers were preserved, but also other wild animals in the reserve areas that helped to maintain the ecological balance. Wireless communication outstation patrol camps, developed within the reserves have helped to prevent poaching to a large extent. Fire protection relocation of villages, control of live stock grazing, improving water regime etc under Project Tiger have all helped to save the eco typical areas from destruction.
The Project Tiger has had a turbulent history since it started. But still, there has been a lot of impressive work done for the preservation of tigers. Project Tiger still has to go through a continuous struggle to save wild animals from the poachers and the vagaries of human beings. A lot of credit goes to late Mrs.Indira Gandhi, whose conservation mindedness ultimately helped to protect the national emblem of India.
Wildlife India Tours provides comprehensive online information on Project Tiger India,and online information for various wildlife projects in India. For further details and information, please fill in the form below.
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