Project Tiger and Its Impact (GS Paper 3, Environment)
In News
- Project Tiger, launched in 1973, has made significant strides in conserving the Bengal tiger, India's national animal.
- However, recent reports highlight a troubling aspect of this conservation effort: the displacement of approximately 550,000 Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers due to the establishment of tiger reserves.
About Project Tiger
- Project Tiger was initiated as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to protect and conserve the Bengal tiger and its habitat.
- The project started in nine reserves across various states, including Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
- Over the past 50 years, it has successfully contributed to the recovery of India’s tiger population and has been pivotal in tiger conservation.
Impact on Tribes
- Displacement: The creation of tiger reserves often results in the displacement of local communities. Since 2021, the number of displaced individuals has increased significantly, with an average of 48,333 people displaced from each reserve—a 967% increase compared to pre-2021 figures.
- Loss of Livelihood: Displacement causes severe economic consequences for tribal communities. They lose their traditional livelihoods, such as hunting, fishing, and gathering, which are crucial for their sustenance. The displacement also leads to severe human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture.
- Cultural Disruption: The forced relocation disrupts cultural practices and access to sacred sites and burial grounds. The loss of traditional knowledge about forests and wildlife further compounds the problem.
- Lack of Consent: Communities often do not provide free, prior, and informed consent before their lands are designated as tiger reserves. Consent is typically sought only after the displacement has occurred, which fails to address the concerns and rights of the affected populations.
Recent Recommendations
To address these issues, several recommendations have been proposed:
- Prioritize Coexistence: Policies should focus on coexistence between wildlife and local communities rather than displacement. Involving local populations in conservation efforts can enhance both conservation outcomes and community well-being.
- Seek Informed Consent: Consent from affected communities should be obtained before designating areas as tiger reserves. This approach ensures that communities are involved in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
- Alternative Livelihoods: Providing alternative livelihood options for displaced families can mitigate the economic impacts of relocation. This support is crucial for helping communities transition to new ways of life.
- Balance Protection and Well-being: Striking a balance between protecting tiger populations and ensuring human well-being is essential for sustainable conservation.
Successful Example:
- In the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (Karnataka), the Soliga tribal community has successfully coexisted with tigers.
- The tiger population in this reserve increased significantly from 35 to 68 between 2010 and 2014, demonstrating that effective conservation can be achieved while respecting and integrating the needs of local communities.
Conclusion and Way Forward
- India’s tiger conservation policy needs to adapt to better protect both tigers and the indigenous communities sharing their habitat.
- By addressing displacement issues, respecting indigenous rights, and encouraging community participation, a more harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife can be achieved.
