In News:

Madhya Pradesh to translocate 15 Tigers to Rajasthan, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Key Highlights of the Translocation:

• Scale of Translocation: Largest relocation of big cats from a single state in India.
• Approval: NTCA has approved the translocation of 15 tigers from Madhya Pradesh to Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
• Source Reserves:
  • Bandhavgarh, Panna, Kanha, and Pench Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh.
• Distribution Plan:
  • Rajasthan: 4 tigresses.
  • Chhattisgarh: 2 male tigers and 6 tigresses.
  • Odisha: 1 male tiger and 2 tigresses.
• Funding: States receiving tigers will bear all expenses related to translocation.

Objectives of the Translocation:

• Enhance Tiger Conservation: Reintroduce and bolster tiger populations in recipient states.
• Population Management: Relocate tigers to areas with suitable habitats to alleviate territorial disputes in overpopulated reserves.
• Genetic Diversity: Introduce new individuals to isolated tiger groups to prevent inbreeding and support long-term species survival.

About Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Pench Tiger Reserves:

• Kanha Tiger Reserve:
  • Location: Maikal range of the Satpura Mountains.
  • Significance: Largest national park in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Distinct Feature: First tiger reserve in India with an official mascot, ‘Bhoorsingh the Barasingha’.
  • Flora and Fauna: Rich biodiversity with Royal Bengal Tigers, leopards, and the IUCN Vulnerable species, Barasingha.
• Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve:
  • Location: Between Vindhyan and Satpura ranges in Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Significance: Known for one of the highest densities of Royal Bengal Tigers in India.
  • Historical Link: The ancient Bandhavgarh Fort, linked to the legend of Lord Rama and Lakshmana.
• Pench Tiger Reserve:
  • Location: Spans Seoni and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh, extends into Maharashtra.
  • Significance: Inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.
  • Flora and Fauna: Includes teak, saag, mahua forests; tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and gaur are key species.

Tiger Translocation Project Overview:

• First Project:
  • Initiated in 2018, two tigers relocated from Kanha and Bandhavgarh to Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha.
• Main Objectives:
  • Reintroduce Tigers: In areas where they have been extirpated or extinct.
  • Alleviate Territorial Disputes: Overpopulated reserves need additional tigers to reduce human-animal conflict.

Benefits of Translocation:

• Ecological Balance: Restores predator-prey dynamics in underpopulated reserves.
• Human-Animal Conflict Mitigation: Reduces conflict in overcrowded reserves.
• Rewilding Landscapes: Revives areas where tigers were locally extinct.

Concerns Associated with Translocation:

• Local Community Protests: Villagers fear tigers will pose a threat to their safety.
• Territorial Disputes: New tigers may face conflict with resident tigers.
• Poor Forest Management: Inadequate prey augmentation and habitat management may hinder success.

Madhya Pradesh’s Role in Tiger Conservation:

• Largest Tiger Population: Madhya Pradesh hosts the largest number of tigers in India, with 785 tigers as per NTCA’s 2022 report.
• Tiger Reserves: The state is home to nine tiger reserves, including the newly notified Madhav Tiger Reserve in Shivpuri.
• Translocation Strategy: Madhya Pradesh’s involvement helps reduce local tiger population pressure and contributes to broader conservation efforts across India.

Inter-State Tiger Translocation Goals:

• Reinforcement and Reintroduction: Introduce tigers into areas historically part of their range but from which they have been extirpated or extinct.
• Genetic Diversity: Introduce new tigers to isolated populations to maintain long-term population health.