India has successfully doubled its tiger population in just over a decade, a major conservation achievement that researchers say offers a model for other countries. According to a study published Thursday in Science, the number of tigers in India grew from an estimated 1,706 in 2010 to around 3,682 in 2022. This makes India home to roughly 75% of the world’s tiger population.
The study credits a combination of anti-poaching measures, habitat protection, improved prey availability, and policies that reduce human-wildlife conflict. Additionally, some local communities near tiger habitats have benefited from increased ecotourism, which has created economic incentives to support conservation efforts.
How India doubled its tiger population
What’s next
The study found that strong conservation laws and local support played key roles in the rise of India’s tiger numbers. While India’s tiger population is thriving, researchers warn that continued efforts are needed to sustain this progress. Only 25% of tiger habitats in India are prey-rich and protected, while another 45% are shared with an estimated 60 million people.
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The lead author of the study, Yadvendradev Jhala, emphasized that human presence alone isn’t a barrier to tiger conservation—it’s the attitudes and engagement of local communities that make the difference. “Without community support and participation, conservation is not possible in our country,” Jhala said.
The challenges ahead for tiger conservation
The other side
While the study highlights India’s conservation success, some wildlife experts caution that data transparency remains an issue. Ecologist Arjun Gopalaswamy criticized India’s official tiger monitoring program as “chaotic” and “contradictory,” pointing out discrepancies in previous population estimates.
FILE – A Bengal tiger reacts while cooling off in a pond inside a cage during a hot summer day at Alipore Zoological Garden in Kolkata on June 20, 2018.
(DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP via Getty Images)
Additionally, habitat loss remains a challenge. The study noted that tigers have disappeared in areas experiencing urbanization, increased human use of forest resources, and armed conflicts. While tiger conservation has been a priority, some experts argue that other endangered species in India—such as the great Indian bustard and caracal—are at risk due to lack of similar attention.
Big picture view
India’s success in doubling its tiger population demonstrates that conservation efforts can be effective when backed by strong policies, local involvement, and sustainable practices. As other tiger-range countries look to restore their own populations, India’s approach could serve as a blueprint for balancing wildlife protection with community interests.
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However, experts stress that conservation efforts should extend beyond tigers to protect entire ecosystems and other threatened species. Maintaining biodiversity is critical, and India’s conservation model could help shape strategies for global wildlife protection.
The Source
This article is based on a study published in Science and data from India’s National Tiger Conservation Authority, with additional reporting from the Associated Press.
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