In 1972, India launched Project Tiger to protect one of the world's largest and most iconic big cats, the Bengal tiger. At the time, fewer than 2,000 tigers remained due to widespread poaching, habitat destruction, and trophy hunting. Today, Project Tiger stands as one of the longest-running conservation initiatives in the world, but its journey has been marked by significant challenges, particularly regarding the relocation of local communities.
The Colonial Legacy and Declining Tiger Population
India’s Bengal tigers were heavily hunted during British colonial rule, with more than 65,000 killed between 1860 and 1950. Despite India gaining independence, tiger numbers continued to decline due to poaching and deforestation. In response, India established Project Tiger to halt the decline and revive tiger populations by creating protected reserves. However, this conservation strategy has involved the relocation of people living in core tiger habitats, sparking significant debate.
The Relocation Dilemma
By 2005, India had created 27 tiger reserves covering between 500 and 2,500 square kilometers. These reserves included core zones, where human activities like grazing and firewood collection were prohibited, and buffer zones where such activities were regulated. Between 1972 and 2023, around 25,000 families were relocated, many of them involuntarily. The process often led to hardship, with some families falling into deeper poverty after being moved to unsuitable land.
In Sariska Tiger Reserve, for example, the first wave of relocations in 1976–77 was largely unsuccessful, with some families returning due to poor compensation. Gujjar pastoralists in Rajaji Tiger Reserve struggled after their 2012 relocation, having to adapt to agriculture with little experience. However, in places like Karnataka's Bhadra Tiger Reserve, relocations were smoother due to more suitable agricultural land being provided.
Community-Based Conservation: A Sustainable Model
Despite widespread relocations, tiger populations continued to decline, with numbers falling to an all-time low of 1,500 in 2006. Local extinctions occurred in Sariska and Panna Tiger Reserves in 2004 and 2007, leading the government to consult experts. Illegal poaching, deforestation, and mining were identified as ongoing threats.
However, some communities, such as the Soliga tribe in Karnataka's Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, chose to remain within reserves. These communities played a key role in controlling illegal activities like poaching and forest fires. In Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, locals worked as forest guards and tour guides, generating income through eco-tourism and sustainable harvesting of forest products like honey and wild spices.
The Road Ahead: Expanding Tiger Corridors
India’s tiger population has rebounded to over 3,000 as of 2022, but the success of Project Tiger has demonstrated that relocation alone is not a long-term solution. With 38 million hectares of forest outside tiger reserves, the next step in tiger conservation could involve designating these forests as corridors to connect tiger populations and reduce the risk of inbreeding and local extinction.
Studies have shown that many villagers would support relocations if resettlement provided access to essential services like clean water, healthcare, and education. To ensure that future relocations are fair and effective, a portion of the US$30 million spent annually by Project Tiger could be allocated to improving resettlement outcomes. Moreover, promoting community-based conservation could offer a more sustainable approach to tiger protection, as demonstrated in reserves like Parambikulam and Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple.
Conclusion
While India’s Project Tiger has played a critical role in conserving the Bengal tiger, its relocation policy has led to mixed results. As India looks to the future, balancing human needs with wildlife conservation will be essential. Expanding tiger habitats through corridors and fostering community-based conservation could provide a path forward, ensuring both people and tigers can thrive.
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