Tiger Day in Corbett:  Rising tiger population boosts economy, poses new challenges

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Nainital

With the International Tiger Day being observed on Wednesday, Corbett Tiger Reserve has once again emerged as the most successful example of tiger conservation in the country, said the senior Forest officials.

While the tiger population has steadily increased since Project Tiger was launched in 1973, Corbett, the country’s first tiger reserve, has given this campaign a new identity, the officers said, adding that as per the 2022 All India Tiger Census, the tiger population in India has increased to 3,682, with over 260 tigers recorded in CTR. This number is believed to exceed 300 and the surrounding landscape.

Spread over approximately 1,288 square kilometres, Corbett is today one of the world’s most tiger-dense areas. The increasing tiger population has boosted tourism. A large number of tourists from India and abroad are arriving here, providing employment to thousands of locals in sectors such as hotels, resorts, homestays, gypsy operations, nature guides and naturalists. This has also boosted the region’s economy.

A wildlife enthusiast Sanjay Chhimwal said that during the 2010 Global Tiger Summit in St Petersburg, Russia, the goal had been set to protect and increase tiger populations in the world’s tiger range countries. “India has achieved this target ahead of schedule,” he said.

Sharing more, he said: “While the increasing tiger population is certainly a conservation success, there is increasing pressure on the limited area for space and resources due to the high tiger density in Corbett. It is, therefore, essential to shift tigers to other protected forest areas and expand their natural habitat. This will not only reduce pressure on tigers but also help maintain genetic diversity.”

Echoing him, another wildlife lover and naturalist Deep Malkani said that after Project Tiger, efforts to conserve tigers in the country have led to a steady increase in their numbers, and the people associated with tourism have directly benefited from this. “On the flip side, however, the challenge of human-wildlife conflict has increased with the increase in the number of tigers. Therefore, along with tiger conservation, it is also necessary to make effective policies to reduce human-wildlife conflict,” he noted.

The director of Corbett Tiger Reserve, Saket Badola said that efforts are being made to continuously promote tiger conservation, engage local communities and create employment. “However, increasing tourism pressure, waste management and human-wildlife conflict remain major challenges for the future,” he said.

Asked about the CTR’s commemorative message for the occasion, he said that the conservation success will only be meaningful if the balance between tigers, forests and local communities is maintained over the long term.