Project
Tiger was incorporated in 1973 with nine tiger reserves covering an area of
16,339 sq.km., which has increased to 37,761 sq.km. in 27 Tiger Reserves.
The budgetary provision of the Government of India during 1973 was only Rs.
23 million, which has increased to 230 million during 2000-2001.
In the beginning of the 1970s, once tiger hunting had officially been
banned in India, a tiger count was done across the entire country. This lead
to the astonishing discovery that only 1800 specimens of this magnificent
animal were left. This jolted the concerned authorities and some serious
thought went into devising plans to save the tiger. The result was the
launch of "Project Tiger" in 1972 at the Dhikala Forest Rest House
in Corbett National Park. The main idea behind the project was to provide
safe havens for tigers where they could flourish as a species and hopefully
reverse the startling decline in their population. The project initially had
9 parks that were chosen for it's implementation. This number has slowly
risen and a total of 19 parks are now attached to the project. The project
was begun in association with and still receives its main funding from the
WWF.
Although the experts affirm that the project has its shortcomings, the
increase in the populations of the tiger is clearly evident to even the
common man. Many experts had predicted that the tiger would be extinct by
the turn of the century, but, whoever may be responsible, the tiger has
proudly proved them wrong. Tiger population may not still be in thrilling
numbers and poaching still may be quite rampant but a lot more effort is
being put into saving this beautiful animal. This is good news for the
entire natural treasure of the country because if the tiger flourishes, so
will the jungle and vice-versa.
Project Tiger Reserves in India:
Problems faced by Tiger Reserves:
Legend
& Lore: In India tiger skins were & are still valued by black
magicians as a seat during meditation. In China, various parts of tiger's
body, from its collar bone to its whiskers, find wide variety of
applications in medicine. Thus poaching & smuggle of tigers are the
results of which.
Extractive Industries like mining & manufacturing units:
such as power plants cannot coexist with either the tiger or its prey
species. The insidious encroachment of development projects on the reserves
represents an irreversible ecological transition.
The relationship with the local villagers: is the "weak
spot" of the entire project. Villagers were relocated from the core
areas of the tiger reserves without providing them alternative access for
grazing or fuel collection.
