Karnataka has once again topped the list with 406 tigers followed by Uttarakhand (340), Madhya Pradesh (308), Tamil Nadu (229) and Maharashtra (190).

These are further followed by 167 tigers in Assam, 136 in Kerala, 117 in Uttar Pradesh and 76 in West Bengal.

The rise in tiger population has thus maintained a healthy rate of 30 per cent increase in the last two census operations and India is now home to more than

half of world’s wild tiger population. The other Asian countries having wild tigers include Malaysia (500), Bangladesh (400), Indonesia (325), Thailand (275) etc. This, by all account, is a significant achievement for it has been accomplished despite innumerable problems.

Moreover, coming in the wake of almost daily adverse reporting about tiger deaths – in 2013, it was 64 and last year, 65 – these high numbers still remain a big concern. Also, an increasing human-tiger conflict across the country, along with killing of tigers, has put a big question mark over the survival of the beasts in the country .

The constant shrinkage of the habitats, corridor disconnectivity and habitat degradation affecting the prey base, too, have posed a big hurdle for the long term sustainability of the tiger population in the country. These issues have been only partially addressed. Despite the challenges, the last two census figures showing steady rise in their numbers have once again put the smile back on the face of the conservationists.

Strong political will, establishment of National Wildlife Crime Bureau, setting up of Tiger Protection Force, restrictions on eco-tourism by the Supreme Court, positive steps initiated by few states in demarcation of eco-sensitive zones around national parks and sanctuaries, and voluntary relocation of people from the tiger areas are some of the important factors that have contributed towards encouraging developments. However, there is still scepticism being expressed in some quarters regarding these numbers.

This time, the forest ministry claims to have made the population estimation with most modern and scientific methods which should give much accurate estimates than in the past. The figures that are released are actually of the mean population of tigers after determining their maximum and minimum numbers which are based on many direct counts and indirect evidences like pug marks, tree scratch marks, roar etc.

Besides this, 9,735 camera traps were employed apart from conducting DNA analysis of scats. Lots of volunteers were also trained to take part in the census operations along with the local NGOs, forest authorities and other experts in December 2013. This has certainly brought more transparency in the whole exercise.

The figure shows that while tiger population in most states (Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and MP being prominent) has actually gone up, in few states it has either remained stagnant or gone down. The states registering an increase in the population should be encouraged as they cannot allow themselves to be complacent. It just takes very little time to wipe out entire tiger population as seen in Sarsika and Panna.

However, it is the other category of states that need to take note, particularly where population has gone down since the last census, and initiate immediate remedial measures in consultation with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Poaching, habitat degradation, corridor fragmentation and human conflict, which are the major reasons coming in the way of tiger conservation, need to be addressed on priority basis. Although states are much better equipped to tackle poaching issue, most of them still have not been willing to take up follow up actions in poaching and death cases. Accountability in this regard needs to be insisted upon by NTCA.

Habitat degradation

Similarly, the other factors too would need the top priority from the authorities. While habitat degradation can be controlled by stricter laws (which unfortunately seem to be going in the opposite direction), and schemes like corridor connectivity, eco-sensitive zones and the like, it is the human-tiger conflict that lies at the core and would need to be addressed on an urgent basis.

These conflicts have resulted in series of tiger deaths across the country where disgruntled villagers have been resorting to poisoning and other means to get rid of tigers not only as a revenge but also to prevent future human and cattle loss.

Actually, by their above actions, they are often showing their resentment against the authorities and other perceived exploiters of the forests like contractors and eco-tourism operators rather than the tigers per se. It has become ‘urban vs local’, ‘them vs us’ issue with villagers openly questioning their isolation and refusing to participate in the tiger conservation programme.

This approach of exclusion is perceived by them as discriminatory and is the chief reason for their continued poverty and misery. The recent refusal of around 4,000 villagers in Karnataka to move out of forests, points towards their resentment and expression of lack of confidence.

Clearly, neither the tiger cause nor the promised welfare of the tribals outside their homes is going to be helped by forcing the theory of non coexistence of tribals and tigers. The sooner this anti- perception of the tiger management strategy is removed, the better it would be for the tribals and the tigers.

Meanwhile, let all those who have contributed in the tiger conservation effort soak in the prevailing feel good atmosphere. But then, tomorrow is another day and it would be back to work of eternal vigilance. For we are yet to reach a tiger population of 3,000 which the country had achieved a few years after the launch of Project Tiger. That should be our next goal.