50 Years Of India's 'Project Tiger'

Summary

The video script discusses the significant progress in tiger conservation in India since the launch of Project Tiger in 1973. From an alarming low of 268 tigers, the population has now grown to over 3,000, thanks to efforts like NDTV's 'Save the Tiger' campaign and the establishment of more than 50 tiger reserves. The script also highlights the challenges faced, such as poaching and the need for genetic diversity, and anticipates the announcement of new tiger numbers by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking 50 years of Project Tiger.

Takeaways

• 🐯 The script discusses the status of tiger conservation in India, highlighting the progress made since the launch of Project Tiger in 1973.
• 🌟 Project Tiger was initiated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and has grown from nine tiger reserves and 268 tigers to over 50 reserves and approximately 3,000 tigers today.
• 📈 The official tiger count, which was dismal at 268 in 1973, has seen a significant increase due to conservation efforts.
• 📅 April 1st is marked as an important date for tiger conservation, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
• 📢 NDTV's 'Save the Tiger' campaign in 2008 aimed to raise awareness and petition government officials to prioritize tiger conservation.
• 🌳 The conservation of tigers is crucial for preserving forests and biospheres, which are vital for clean water and air, and help combat climate change.
• 🎉 The success of tiger conservation in India includes the relocation and reintroduction of tigers in areas like Panna and Sariska, which had lost their native tigers to poaching.
• 🚁 In 2008, a unique tiger relocation project was undertaken in Sariska, where tigers were airlifted from Ranthambore National Park to boost the local population.
• 📊 The upcoming tiger census results, to be announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are expected to reflect the continued success of conservation efforts.
• 🏆 Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka are in competition for the title of the state with the highest tiger population, with both states implementing various strategies to support tiger conservation.
• 🔄 The script emphasizes the need for continuous efforts in tiger conservation, including anti-poaching strategies, managing prey populations, and addressing human-animal conflicts.

Q & A

What was the purpose of launching Project Tiger in India?

Project Tiger was launched in 1973 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with the sole purpose of saving the species from extinction, at a time when the tiger population in India was alarmingly low at just 268.

How many tiger reserves were initially established under Project Tiger?

Initially, there were nine tiger reserves established under Project Tiger.

What was the official tiger count in India when Project Tiger was launched?

The official tiger count in India at the time of launching Project Tiger was 268.

When was the NDTV's Save Tigers campaign launched and what was its primary focus?

The NDTV's Save Tigers campaign was launched in 2008 when the tiger count had dipped to 1,411. The campaign focused on creating awareness about conservation efforts and petitioning the Prime Minister and several Chief Ministers to prioritize the issue.

How many tiger reserves are there in India as of the script's information?

As of the script's information, India has over 50 tiger reserves.

What is the estimated number of tigers in India as mentioned in the script?

The script mentions that there are over 3,000 tigers in India.

What is the significance of the prime minister's announcement on April 9th regarding tiger conservation?

The prime minister's announcement on April 9th is significant as it will reveal the new tiger estimation numbers and mark 50 years of Project Tiger. Additionally, a commemorative coin of 50 rupees will be released during the event.

What was the impact of the NDTV's media campaign on tiger conservation?

The NDTV's media campaign was the largest and most comprehensive initiative on tiger conservation, which included presenting the prime minister with a petition signed by thousands across the country, and raising awareness about the importance of saving tigers.

What are some of the challenges faced in tiger conservation in India as highlighted in the script?

Some of the challenges faced in tiger conservation in India include poaching, the need for consistent efforts to maintain the tiger population, genetic issues due to lack of genetic diversity, and managing human-animal conflict.

What measures have been taken to address the challenges in tiger conservation as mentioned in the script?

Measures taken include relocating villages from core areas to provide additional habitat to tigers, managing prey populations, establishing anti-poaching strategies, and creating awareness among locals to reduce human-animal conflict.

How has the tiger population in Sariska Tiger Reserve evolved since the relocation project in 2008?

After the relocation project in 2008, where tigers from Ranthambore National Park were airlifted to Sariska, the tiger population has rebounded. By 2012, two tiger cubs were spotted, and by 2014, the number had increased further, with Sariska now accounting for 27 tigers.

What is the current status of tiger conservation in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka?

Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka are both significant in tiger conservation. Madhya Pradesh has seen a record birth of cubs and expects to have around 700 tigers. Karnataka, with its largest habitat for wild elephants and challenges like poaching and man-animal conflict, is eagerly awaiting the tiger census report to learn its current tiger population.

Outlines

00:00

🐅 Tiger Conservation in India: A Success Story

The script discusses the significant progress made in tiger conservation in India since the launch of Project Tiger in 1973 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Initially, there were only nine tiger reserves with a dismal tiger count of 268. Thanks to the efforts of Project Tiger, there are now over 50 tiger reserves and an estimated 3,000 tigers. The script also mentions the critical role of awareness campaigns, such as NDTV's 'Save the Tiger' campaign, which petitioned for greater attention to conservation. The importance of saving tigers for the preservation of forests and ecosystems is highlighted, emphasizing the benefits to clean water and air, and as a hedge against climate change.

05:00

🎉 50 Years of Project Tiger: A Reflection and Look Forward

This paragraph reflects on the inception of Project Tiger in 1973 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, aiming to save the species from extinction with an alarmingly low tiger count of 268. It acknowledges the substantial turnaround in tiger conservation due to political will and ground efforts, including the forest department and NGOs. The paragraph also looks forward to the announcement of new tiger estimation numbers by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a mega event in Mysuru, marking 50 years of Project Tiger, and the release of a commemorative 50-rupee coin. The government's vision for future tiger conservation is discussed through an interview with the environment minister, Bhupendra Yadav.

10:01

🚁 Sariska and Panna: Overcoming Tiger Extinction and Reintroduction

The script narrates the story of Sariska and Panna tiger reserves, which faced a devastating loss of all native tigers to poaching. It details the first tiger relocation project in India, where tigers from Ranthambore National Park were airlifted to Sariska, leading to a successful recovery with the sighting of tiger cubs and a current population of 27 tigers. The paragraph also touches on the need for genetic diversity to avoid future genetic problems and the importance of landscape management for the long-term survival of tigers.

15:03

🏞️ Landscape Management and Anti-Poaching Strategies in Madhya Pradesh

The paragraph delves into the importance of landscape management for tiger conservation, using the example of Sariska, which had the necessary landscape but suffered due to poor management leading to tiger poaching. It discusses the measures taken by the Rajasthan government to reintroduce tigers and the state's efforts to relocate tigers to new areas. The script also addresses the challenges faced by Madhya Pradesh, including tiger deaths due to various reasons and the state's innovative wildlife management interventions, such as the State Tiger Strike Force and prey population management.

20:04

🐾 Karnataka's Bandipur: A Tiger Haven and Conservation Efforts

This paragraph focuses on Bandipur Tiger Reserve, one of the original nine reserves established with the launch of Project Tiger. It provides an overview of the reserve's history, current tiger population estimates, and the challenges faced, such as poaching and forest fires. The script highlights the state's anti-poaching measures, the role of local communities in conservation, and the anticipation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bandipur for the announcement of the new tiger estimation and government plans for tiger conservation.

25:05

🎬 Special Show on Tiger Conservation: Anticipating the Prime Minister's Announcement

The final paragraph serves as a conclusion to the special show on tiger conservation, expressing anticipation for the prime minister's announcement of the new tiger estimation. It emphasizes the importance of the event in the context of the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger and the ongoing efforts to ensure the survival and thriving of tigers in India.

Keywords

💡Tiger Conservation

Tiger Conservation refers to the collective efforts to protect and increase the population of tigers, which are endangered species. In the video, it is the central theme, highlighting the importance of preserving tigers not just for their sake, but also for the ecological balance and the services they provide, such as maintaining forest health which in turn ensures clean water and air. The script mentions the launch of 'Project Tiger' in 1973 and the significant increase in tiger reserves and tiger population over the years as a result of conservation efforts.

💡Project Tiger

Project Tiger is an initiative launched by the Indian government in 1973 to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. It is mentioned in the script as a flagship program that started with just nine tiger reserves and an official tiger count of 268. The project has since expanded to over 50 tiger reserves and has been instrumental in increasing the tiger population to over 3,000, showcasing a successful conservation story.

💡Endangered Species

An endangered species is one that is facing the threat of extinction due to various factors such as habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. In the context of the video, tigers are highlighted as an endangered species, with the script emphasizing the need for continuous conservation efforts to prevent their extinction and ensure their survival in the wild.

💡Tiger Reserves

Tiger Reserves are designated areas established to protect the natural habitat of tigers and to support their conservation. The script mentions that there were initially nine tiger reserves at the start of Project Tiger, which has now grown to over 50 reserves across India, providing a safe haven for the tigers and contributing to their population increase.

💡Poaching

Poaching is the illegal hunting or capturing of wildlife, often for the purpose of selling parts of the animal for profit. In the video script, poaching is identified as a major threat to tiger conservation, with the mention of Panna and Sariska tiger reserves where tigers were wiped out due to poaching, highlighting the need for anti-poaching strategies and efforts to protect these animals.

💡Wildlife Census

A wildlife census is a scientific process of counting and estimating the population of wildlife species in a given area. The script discusses the anticipation of the new tiger numbers to be released by the Prime Minister, which is part of the wildlife census conducted every four years to assess the population and conservation status of tigers in India.

💡Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem services refer to the benefits that humans obtain from ecosystems, such as clean water, air, and climate regulation. The script connects the conservation of tigers to the preservation of forests and biospheres, which are essential for maintaining ecosystem services that benefit human well-being.

💡Anti-Poaching Strategies

Anti-poaching strategies are measures taken to prevent the illegal hunting and killing of wildlife. The script refers to the establishment of anti-poaching units, such as the State Tiger Strike Force in Madhya Pradesh, which has been effective in combating poaching gangs and protecting tigers.

💡Man-Animal Conflict

Man-animal conflict arises when the presence of wildlife in human-dominated landscapes leads to negative interactions, such as crop damage or attacks on humans. The script mentions this as a significant challenge in the conservation of tigers, with the need for awareness and management strategies to mitigate such conflicts.

💡Relocation

Relocation in the context of wildlife conservation refers to the process of moving animals from one area to another to protect them or to reestablish populations in their former habitats. The script recounts the success story of the tiger relocation project in Sariska, where tigers were airlifted from Ranthambore National Park to repopulate the area after the local tigers were lost to poaching.

💡Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of life in a particular ecosystem or habitat, including the number of species, their genetic diversity, and the complexity of interactions among them. The script implies the importance of biodiversity through the discussion of tiger conservation, as tigers play a critical role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems and contribute to overall biodiversity.

Highlights

April 1st marks the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger, a conservation program launched in India.

Project Tiger was initiated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1973 with an initial tiger count of 268.

India now has over 50 tiger reserves and more than 3,000 tigers thanks to conservation efforts.

The official tiger count will be announced by the Prime Minister on April 9th.

NDTV's 'Save the Tigers' campaign in 2008 aimed to raise awareness and petition government officials.

India holds more than 70% of the world's wild tiger population.

Tigers remain endangered, and continuous conservation efforts are necessary for their survival.

Protecting tigers equates to preserving forests and biospheres, which are vital for clean water and air.

In 2008, the tiger count was a concerning 1,411, prompting NDTV to launch a media campaign for their conservation.

Amitabh Bachchan and other prominent figures joined the campaign to save the tigers.

The importance of protecting individual tigers and the need for collective efforts is emphasized.

Tigers' relocation projects have been successful in Panna and Sariska reserves after they lost their populations to poaching.

Sariska reserve's successful tiger relocation program has seen a steady increase in tiger numbers.

The Rajasthan government plans to relocate tigers to Mukundara, indicating a commitment to conservation.

Madhya Pradesh has implemented innovative wildlife management strategies, including relocating villages from core areas.

Despite challenges, Madhya Pradesh expects to retain its title as the state with the most tigers in India.

Karnataka reported 524 tigers in the last estimation and is eagerly awaiting the new count.

Bandipur, one of the original nine tiger reserves, has seen its tiger population grow from 12 to around 140.

The Prime Minister's visit to Bandipur and the release of the latest tiger census data highlight the government's commitment to tiger conservation.

Transcripts

foreign

[Music]

tigers where we will take a close look

at the status of tiger conservation in

the country ahead of the release of the

new tiger numbers April 1st this year

was an important landmark in Tiger

conservation marking 50 years of the

launch of project tiger project tiger

was launched by prime minister Indra

Gandhi from Corbett tiger Reserve in

1973 under the flagship program were

just nine tiger reserves and the

official tiger count was a dismal 268.

thanks to that effort today we have over

50 tiger reserves in the country and

over 3 000 Tigers the official tiger

estimation will be announced by prime

minister on the 9th of April now in 2008

NDTV launched its favor Tigers campaign

when the tiger count had dipped again to

14-11 I was a part of that campaign at

the time and the campaign focused on

creating awareness about conservation

effort as well as petitioning the Prime

Minister as well as several Chief

ministers to give this crucial issue the

import since it deserved he has a look

back at our campaign

[Music]

today India has over 3000 Tigers spread

across 53 tiger reserves more than 70

percent of the world's wild tidal

population

but even today the big cat remains

endangered and consistent efforts are

needed if the national animal is to

thrive

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saving Tigers means saving precious

forests and biospheres which are our

source of Clean Water and Air our

insurance against climate uncertainties

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thank you

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back in 2008 after the Dismal number of

1411 in the first updated census was

released

NDTV set out on a mission to save our

tiger

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the largest and most comprehensive media

campaign on tiger conservation

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we even presented the prime minister

with a petition signed by thousands

across the country

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then in 2010 a bigger and more urgent

campaign was launched

the Dismal number of 1411 became the

rallying crime the tiger must survive

they have to

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India's biggest superstar Amitabh

Bachchan joined our effort as did some

of India's best known faces in

conservation

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foreign

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protecting the tiger is protecting their

country it's time we realize just how

precious every single individual tiger

is now we cannot afford to lose any

motivation efforts ground reports from

Key tiger reserves highlighted what was

needed to be done to protect the big

caps

Jeeps

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we took the campaign to Chief Ministers

of tiger States across party lined with

a charter of Demands and ask them to

commit to the cause tigers in Karnataka

will be saved for their generations and

there should be a joint platform

foreign

[Applause]

[Music]

project tiger was started in 1973 by

then prime minister Indira Gandhi with

the sole purpose of saving the species

from Extinction at that time the number

of tigers in India stood at a shocking

268 a far cry from the 40 000 Tigers

reported in India at the turn of the

century

[Music]

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thanks to political will and efforts by

those on the ground the forest

Department as well as ngos tiger

conservation has seen a big turnaround

and continued efforts are needed so the

tiger keeps burning bright in the Indian

jungle

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foreign

Minister Narendra Modi will announce the

new tiger estimation numbers at a mega

event in mysuru to Mark 50 years of

project tiger a commemorative coin of 50

rupees will also be released during that

event so what is the government's vision

for Tiger conservation going forward

ndtv's Mega Prasad spoke to the

environment minister bhupendra yadav

prime minister Narendra Modi is going to

reveal the tiger census 2022 figures

very soon and they are expected to be

quite encouraging to talk about project

tiger and the overall push that the Modi

government is making towards the

expansion of wildlife we have with us

Union environment Minister Mr bhupendra

yadav Sir welcome on NDTV thank you uh I

want to begin by asking you sir project

Tiger has done really well how difficult

numbers

foreign

foreign

tiger causes

we are also doing well

um

foreign

foreign

foreign

project dolphin

okay

foreign

foreign

[Applause]

foreign

foreign

landscape

this is

[Applause]

foreign

thank you so much thank you for your

time sir thank you

two of the major setbacks or shocks to

Tiger conservation efforts in India was

when the Panna tiger Reserve in madhya

Pradesh and the sariska tiger Reserve in

Rajasthan lost all the native Tigers to

poaching since then tigers have been

relocated to the tour reserves and

thanks to efforts by the forest

Department both parks have a healthy

number of Tigers today but many

challenges still remain ndtv's Harsha

Kumari Singh and anurag dwari report on

tiger conservation in Rajasthan and

madhya Pradesh

hello

[Music]

June 28 2008 an Air Force Mi 17

helicopter lands in the forests of

sariska this is no less than a highly

specialized combat operation it is

India's first tiger relocation project

that's now underway

foreign

the biggest setback to project tiger and

the tiger conservation movement happened

in 2003 and 2004. when all the Tigers of

sariska a healthy population of 16 were

wiped out due to poaching conservation

circles were in shock Rajasthan declared

a red alert against poaching and a

wildlife emergency

under project tiger four years later in

2008 the tiger relocation program began

when tigers from ranthambore National

Park were airlifted and shifted to

sariska a male was followed by two

females they began to settle in Tiger

experts were anxious and then four years

later good news in 2012 two tiger cubs

were spotted in sariska in 2014 two more

cups followed the baby boom had begun

Tigers were mating and producing cups

today sariska accounts for 27 Tigers it

is India's first success story in Tiger

relocation

but what's the road ahead in order to

ensure long-term survival

people will have the government will

have to think of putting in new blood

all the time otherwise it will be a

bottleneck and over a period of time

there is a possibility that the tiger

the genetics may be totally you know

restricted and therefore may end up in

some kind of genetic problem over

several Generations

experts believe the success of project

tiger

[Music]

meditation is moved out of sanctuaries

the tiger is an animal which requires a

landscape without human population at

least in a certainly large enough area

for it to survive and breed and increase

in numbers sariska had that kind of

landscape the point is the management

became lacks and therefore in sariska

the Tigers were absolutely poached out

there is no question about it as

happened in Panda International in

madhya Pradesh some years ago the tiger

Reserve at rancenborg is a tourist

Delight but now sariska with its

proximity to the national capital is

gaining ground

foreign

the Roar of the tiger is back in sariska

the Rajasthan government is now looking

at relocating Tigers to mukundara near

Kota in Jaipur Harsha Kumari Singh NDTV

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places

foreign

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six months after they were moved to

India as a part of the government's plan

to reintroduce the big cat to the

country

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eagerly waiting for the tiger census

report which will be released in mysuru

by the prime minister

though this year landscape wise data is

likely to be released but madhya Pradesh

is hoping to retain title of the tiger

state in the country

as the state has seen record birth of

Cubs in different tiger reserves and

unprotected Forest areas the state

expects Tigers to be around 700 in

number this time

conservation history so we have done

multiple

interventions in in wildlife management

and Innovations also if you can say so

uh we basically have provided additional

Habitat to tigers and other other

Wildlife by relocating Villages from the

core areas

so I mean we we are I mean doing our

best to to propagate the uh or to house

the Tigers in in the state

and uh we are also uh uh actively

managing the prey population also

in the written reply in the state of

72 most of them electrocuted in wired

traps

2020 and 2022 at least 72 tigers and 43

leopards died in Tiger reserves of MP

due to various reasons of the 34 tiger

fatalities recorded in madhya Pradesh

during 2022 the biggest loss was

suffered by the bandhavgarh tiger

Reserve where nine big cats died in the

12-month period followed by Paige and

kanha as per ntca

however with the state Tiger Strike

Force smart controlling and dog squad

for protection of tigers in the national

parks the authorities are saying no

reason to worry

we are also working on the anti-poaching

strategy we have a one wonderful unit

called sdsf State Tiger Strike Force

which is done immensely well in the past

one decade so they they have cracked the

international uh the gangs and also we

are also focusing on the man animal

conflict so that this doesn't rise

madhya Pradesh which is home to six

tiger reserves

so death of over 30 tigers remain a

concern but experts are saying that

death is unlikely to affect chances of

madhya Pradesh retaining tag of the

tiger state

the tiger census report is compiled once

in four years and the latest is due for

release during the last census Karnataka

reported 524 Tigers just two less than

madhya Pradesh which recorded 526 tigers

and is known as the tiger state of India

in Bhopal with camera person rizwan Khan

and for any TV

according to the last tiger estimation

madhya Pradesh had the most number of

tigers in the country but will it be

overtaken by Karnataka again well we'll

find out on Sunday when the new tiger

estimation is announced ahead of that

event prime minister Narendra Modi will

go on a safari trip to the bandipur

tiger Reserve bandipur was one of the

original nine tiger reserves announced

in 1973 with the launch of project tiger

you have a special ground report

April 9th marks Pia modi's Maiden visit

to bandipur in Karnataka he will release

latest data of the tiger census and will

also unveil government's plans for the

conservation of tigers

now this day assumes significance mainly

because it also highlights the

completion of 50 years of project tiger

launched in 1973 but before that NDTV

decided to take stock of all the

flagship measures undertaken to ensure

they save the dwindling population of

the big cat

[Music]

please

bandipur was one of the original nine

tiger reserves to be announced when

project tiger was launched 50 years ago

on 1st April in 1973.

foreign

the official tiger number here was just

12. today according to rough estimates

the park is home to around 140 tigers

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this is a very very special occasion of

the countries the top most man is coming

so we are going to showcase our state of

Karnataka especially bandipur so I'm

very much excited and impressed

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thank you

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bandipur has the second largest tiger

population in the country and is the

largest habitat for wild elephants in

South Asia one of the big challenges

here is poaching

we have 53 anti-posing games now and

serving around 190 watches some of them

are serving for 25 years as a temporary

only those people are given the entire

life to protection of tiger now the

hunting poaching is completely zero the

unnatural death of tigers in bandipur is

zero for last 20 years

[Music]

according to Forest officers there are

400 water holes in this habitat and the

prevention of forest fires is a big

concern

man animal conflict is another huge

Challenge and the forest Department

receives as many as 100 calls a month

again

there are over 80 Villages that come

under the bandipur landscape and

initiatives are being taken to raise

awareness among locals currently there

is excitement over the PM's visit

foreign

[Music]

state with the most number of tigers in

the country when the official numbers

are released by the prime minister

foreign

thank you so much for watching our

special show on tiger conservation now

looking forward to the prime minister's

announcement of the new tiger estimation

goodbye

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