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Translocation of Tigers
Context: The Union Environment Ministry has cleared the translocation of 8 tigers from Tadoba-Andhari and Pench Tiger Reserves to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra’s Western Ghats. The move aims to revive tiger presence in the northern Western Ghats, where populations have remained low despite good habitat.
What is the status and spread of tigers in India?
- As per All-India Tiger Estimation 2022, India has 3,167 tigers (world’s largest population, ~75% of global total).
- Tiger range covers 54 Tiger Reserves across 18 states, under Project Tiger (1973)
- States with highest populations: Madhya Pradesh (785), Karnataka (563), Uttarakhand (560).
What are the sought-after benefits of translocation?
- Revive local populations: Reintroduce tigers in Sahyadri reserve where numbers have been transient.
- Genetic diversity: Prevent inbreeding in small/isolated populations.
- Ecosystem balance: Tigers as apex predators regulate herbivore populations.
- Connectivity: Help link Western Ghats tiger habitats across Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka.
- Ecological Enrichment: Protecting the dense forests and river watersheds.
- Model cases: Panna Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) successfully revived tiger numbers after translocation in 2009. Sariska (Rajasthan) saw similar efforts.
About Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
- Forms the catchment for Koyna and Warna Rivers.
- Rich evergreen & semi-evergreen forests, high rainfall zone, mountainous terrain.
- Tiger status: Despite good habitat, tiger presence has been transient/low. Camera traps recently recorded a few males.
- Critical Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot (UNESCO World Heritage Site nearby)
Q3. What are the potential challenges?
- Prey base adequacy: Need abundant prey like sambar, chital; otherwise tigers may stray out.
- Human–wildlife conflict: Risk of tigers dispersing into nearby human settlements.
- Stress & mortality: Capture, transport, and adaptation can cause fatalities.
- Genetic mismatch: Risk if donor and recipient populations are not ecologically compatible.
- Monitoring gaps: Requires long-term tracking with radio-collars, which is resource-intensive.
- Past challenges: In Sariska, initial translocation faced high mortality and poaching risks.
