Madhya Pradesh: Tigers have chosen a picturesque natural home

The tiger, the most magnificent animal on earth, finds a sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, a source of immense pride for its people. Just as India takes pride in its 3,682 tigers, constituting 75 percent of the global tiger population, Madhya Pradesh beams with joy as the tiger population flourishes, even beyond the confines of its Tiger Reserves. On this International Tiger Day, Madhya Pradesh can proudly proclaim its role as a vital haven for these majestic creatures.

Maximum number of tigers in Madhya Pradesh

The tiger population in Madhya Pradesh has surged from 526 to an impressive 785, marking the highest in the country. Over the past 4-5 years, the state has witnessed an increase of 259 tigers, surpassing the entire tiger population of 257 recorded in 2010.

The king of the jungle thrives here, thanks to the relentless efforts of the Forest Department and the unwavering support of the local community. We must all pledge to preserve nature for future generations and, with compassion, foster a nurturing environment for the tiger family to prosper. Restoring the tiger population was an arduous task, but through tireless dedication, Madhya Pradesh has successfully achieved this remarkable feat.

This is how Tiger State was formed

Tiger census is conducted once every 4 years reveals a remarkable journey of conservation in Madhya Pradesh. In 2010, The tiger population had grown to 257 since 2006. But further growth required intensive conservation and awareness efforts. Thus began a dedicated endeavor to establish Madhya Pradesh as a renowned tiger state the hard work of making Madhya Pradesh a tiger state.

To effectively manage human-wildlife conflict, 16 regional and district-level rescue squads were established across every district. Additionally, 16 specialized dog teams were formed to detect and investigate wildlife crimes. Efforts included the rewilding of orphaned tiger cubs and the reestablishment of various species such as Chital, Gaur, and Barasingha in regions where their numbers had dwindled or they had become locally extinct. Over the past eight years, the State Level Strike Force has apprehended 550 wildlife criminals from 14 states, including three foreigners, showcasing the state’s unwavering commitment to wildlife protection.

Budget provision was made for wildlife management outside protected areas. Income from wildlife tourism was shared with the local community. These efforts rendered strength to tiger conservation efforts.

Reasons for becoming a tiger state

Madhya Pradesh’s transformation into a tiger state hinges on four key aspects. First is the scientific relocation of villages. Between 2010 and 2022, 200 small villages within Tiger Reserves were relocated, with 75 villages moved out of the Satpura Tiger Reserve alone. Second is translocation. Species such as reindeer, bison, and wild boar from Kanha were translocated to other tiger reserves, thereby enhancing the food base for tigers. Third is habitat development. Grasslands and ponds were created in the abandoned villages and fields within the forests, boosting the population of herbivores and providing ample food for tigers. Lastly, there was an unprecedented overhaul in security measures. In Panna Tiger Reserve, drones were utilized for surveying and monitoring, leading to the complete eradication of illegal hunting. Technology was heavily employed in crime investigation and patrolling. Panna Tiger Reserve, for instance, boasts its own drone squad, which operates on a meticulously planned monthly action schedule. This squad aids in locating wild animals, conducting rescues, identifying forest fire sources, assessing the impact of fires, preventing potential human-animal conflicts, and enforcing wildlife protection laws.Due to wildlife protection, Madhya Pradesh is at the forefront in the number of leopards in the country.

There are 12 thousand 852 leopards in the country. In Madhya Pradesh alone, this number is more than 4100. The population of leopards in the country has increased by an average of 60 percent while in the state it is 80 percent Madhya Pradesh alone has 25 percent of the number of leopards in the country.

Better management of national parks

As many as 13 countries with tiger populations promised to double the tiger population by 2022 at the St. Petersburg Tiger Conference in 2010. To achieve this goal, continuous and progressive improvement measures were taken in the management of tigers in Madhya Pradesh.

The 33 percent increase in the number of tigers is the highest ever recorded between cycles, up from 21 percent between 2006 and 2010 and 30 percent between 2010 and 2014.

The 33 percent increase in tiger numbers is the highest ever recorded between cycles, which was 21 percent between 2006 and 2010 and 30 percent between 2010 and 2014. The increase in tiger numbers was in line with the average annual growth rate of tigers since 2006. Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tigers at 526 followed by Karnataka with 524 tigers and Uttarakhand at the third place with 442 tigers. It is a matter of pride for Madhya Pradesh that this achievement has been achieved much before the deadline of 2022.

Improved management of national parks plays a major role in increasing the number of tigers in the state. With the help of the state government, more than 50 villages have been displaced and a large area of ​​land has been freed from biological pressure. As a result of the displacement of villages from protected areas, the habitat area of ​​wild animals has expanded.

All the villages in the core areas of ​​Kanha, Pench, and Kuno Palpur have been displaced. More than 90 percent core area of ​​Satpura Tiger Reserve has also been freed from biological pressure. After displacement, grasslands of local species are being developed with the help of grass experts, so that fodder remains available to the herbivorous wild animals throughout the year. Apart from this, the Habitat Development Program is being run in all the protected areas.

Along with achieving the status of Tiger State, Madhya Pradesh also got the top position in the country in the effective management of national parks and protected areas. Satpura Tiger Reserve has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

According to the Effectiveness Assessment Report of the Management of Tiger Reserves of the Government of India, Pench Tiger Reserve has achieved the highest rank in the country. Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Sanjay, and Satpura Tiger Reserves have been considered the best-managed tiger reserves. Unique management plans and innovative methods have been adopted in these national parks.