Tiger population in India increased by 30% over past two decades: NCBS study

A new study has found that the tiger population in India has increased by 30% over the past two decades.

A new study has found that the tiger population in India has increased by 30% over the past two decades.

The study, which has been published in Science, was led by Senior Scientist Yadvendradev Jhala and colleagues. It has explored the socio-ecological factors that have enabled tiger recovery and persistence despite high human densities and economic challenges amid rapid urbanisation.

“They have found that the tiger population in India has increased by 30% over the past two decades. This demonstrates the remarkable success achieved through a meticulous balance of scientific strategies and a strategic blend of land-sharing and land-sparing,” the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) said.

It further added that despite harbouring the highest human population residing in economically diverse regions, India has achieved significant success in conserving wildlife, even as global wildlife populations have declined by 73%.

“Protected areas, devoid of humans, through land sparing have allowed sustenance of 85% of breeding populations. These source populations facilitated through corridors and sustainable land-use practices have enabled tigers to disperse and expand into multi-use forests. Tigers now coexist with over 66 million people, proving coexistence possible,” said Mr. Jhala.

The study stated that India’s tiger recovery has strengthened due to a strong legislative framework, including the Wildlife Protection Act, Forest Conservation Act, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

“Beyond ecological factors, economic prosperity and cultural values have influenced tiger persistence, recovery and colonisation. Regions with lower dependence on forest resources and better socio-economic conditions have witnessed higher tiger recolonisation rates. Conversely, areas with high poverty, and armed conflict such as in Naxal-affected parts of Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand—have experienced tiger decline,” it added.