Tiger area rose 30% in 12 yrs: Study

Tigers expanded their area by around 30% (33,127 sq km) between 2006 and 2018, with the most increase seen in proximity to protected areas (and in areas with lower population densities and higher wealth), highlighting the possibility of human and tiger coexistence, a new paper says.

- Chetan Chauhan

NEW DELHI:

Although the success of tiger recovery is highlighted by the feline population doubling in this period, from 1,411 to 2,967, the study, titled "Tiger Recovery Amid People and Poverty," said that the population growth is in line with the intended flagship role of the tiger in conserving and increasing biodiverse areas -- it credits tigers for an increase in the numbers of other species in tiger habitats such as leopards, elephants, sloth bear and gaur (Indian bison).

The tiger population has since increased to 3,682 in 2022.

The study, by top tiger conservationists V Y Jhala, Rajesh Gopal, Omar Qureshi and Ninad Avinash Mungi, is based on the tiger census done once every four years by the Central government in tiger landscapes of the country and examined close to 3,000 grids, each covering 10 square kilometers, of tiger areas.

The study said that the area where tigers are found increased from 66,389 sq km in 2002 to 99,516 sq km in 2018, with 45% of the growth in area recorded between 2014 and 2018. "Overall, tiger occupancy increased by 30% over the span of the study... Colonization was higher in grid cells that were in proximity to tiger-occupied protected areas, with higher prey abundance, suitable habitats, low human density, and moderately wealthy..."