On June 26th 1995, Madhya Pradesh was declared the "Tiger State of India" since the state was then home to one sixth of the world’s tiger population.
The population of the Bengal Tiger in India at the beginning of the 20th century was around 20,000-40,000. When the first tiger census was carried out in 1972, it was discovered that there were only 1,800 tigers left in the country. It was then that Project Tiger was launched in 1973 in the Palamau Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand.
Project Tiger was aimed at tiger conservation in especially constructed tiger reserves. The project strove to maintain a viable tiger population in its natural habitat. Project Tiger studied the damage being done to the eco-system and the natural habitat of the tiger, since both are dependent on each other. Conservation of the prey of tigers was something which was given due importance as well. The damage done to the eco-system was studied and rectified so that it could sustain a healthy tiger population. Funds and undertakings were organized and an intense program for habitat protection and rehabilitation of tigers was put in motion.
Madhya Pradesh, also known as "the heart of India", is blessed with rich flora and fauna is home to 9 national parks and 25 wildlife sanctuaries, spread over an area of 10,862 km sq. At one time, the state was home to 19% of India’s tiger population and 10% of the world’s tiger population. The government made a special effort to conserve highly endangered species, especially tigers in the national parks of Madhya Pradesh. Wildlife sanctuaries such as the Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna and Satpura National Park are managed as Project Tiger reserves.
The density of tiger population at Bandhavgarh is one of the highest in the world. Bandhavgarh is also home to some individually named tigers that have been named after their unique individual traits. For example, Charger, a tiger in Bhandhavgarh, was named after his habit of charging after elephants and tourists (whom he never harmed). A female tiger of Bandhavgarh by the name of Sita has appeared on the cover of National Geographic magazine and is considered to be one of the most photographed tigers in the world. Charger and Sita are no more, but most tigers in Bandhavgarh are believed to be their offspring and are in the habit of making frequent appearances in front of tourists.
Panna National Park, in the Panna and Chhatarpur districts of Madhya Pradesh, was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1994 and was placed under the protection of Project Tiger. Pench National Park, named so after the River Pench which flows through it, was declared a tiger reserve in 1992. The Pench National Park was also the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s famous novel The Jungle Book. Hence, this park has also been nicknamed “Mowgli”, after the protagonist of the book. Pench has a good tiger population, though sightings are not frequent.
Unfortunately in the recent years, Madhya Pradesh has lost out its “Tiger State of India” title to Karnataka. Tiger population in the state has dropped to 275 from the 300 it was in 2006. Despite a 12% rise in tiger population, Madhya Pradesh is no longer home to the largest number of tigers in India. Kanha National Park, one of Madhya Pradeshs’s most famous, lost 25 of its tigers. In 2006, Kanha had 89 tigers, which, by 2011, had gone down to 60. Tiger deaths are on the rise and forest officials blame the deaths on territorial fights among tigers. Panna National Park has also seen a huge dip in tiger population and recently one tiger and three tigresses have been transferred there to help increase the numbers.
Currently, Karnataka has 300 tigers as opposed to the 275 in Madhya Pradesh. The credit for this is being given to better conservation efforts in Karnataka as compared to central Indian states.
Wildlife conservationists say that to increase conservation efforts, forest cover needs to be increased, considering each male tiger needs at least 4 sq km of territory. Apart from that, prey density in the forest is important as well. One of the biggest threats facing tigers today is poaching and most of the tigers found dead have been killed by hunters. Apart from conservation efforts and ensuring a healthy and well-balanced eco-system, foot patrolling has been increased in protected areas to increase the safety of these big cats.
Also On This Day:
1955: Poland and India affirm Panchsheel.
1975: President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed signs the declaration of Emergency Rule in India. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposes emergency in India.
1992: The Tin Bigha corridor is leased to Bangladesh as per the Indo-Bangladesh agreement.
1997: As part of its signatory obligations to the Chemical Weapons Convention, India declares its chemical weapon stockpiles and storage facilities.
