Save Tiger

Project Tiger Scheme Project Tiger Scheme has been under implementation since 1973 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Government of India Objective The main objective of Project Tiger is to ensure a viable population of tiger in India for scientific , economic , aesthetic , cultural and ecological values and to preserve for all time, areas of biological importance as a natural heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people. Main objectives under the scheme include wildlife management, protection measures and site specific ecodevelopment to reduce the dependency of local communities on tiger reserve resources. Initially, the Project started with 9 tiger reserves, covering an area of 16,339 sq.km., with a population of 268 tigers. At present there are 27 tiger reserves covering an area of 37761 sq.km., with a population of 1498 tigers. This amounts to almost 1.14% of the total geographical area of the country. The selection of reserves was guided by representation of ecotypical wilderness areas across the biogeographic range of tiger distribution in the country. Project Tiger is undisputedly a custodian of major gene pool. It is also a repository of some of the most valuable ecosystem and habitats for wildlife. Tiger Reserves are constituted on a 'core-buffer' strategy. The core area is kept free of biotic disturbances and forestry operations, where collection of minor forest produce, grazing, human disturbances are not allowed within. However, the buffer zone is managed as a ‘multiple use area’ with twin objectives of providing habitat supplement to the spill over population of wild animals from the core conservation unit, and to provide site specific ecodevelopmental inputs to surrounding villages for relieving their impact on the core. Except for the National Parks portion if contained within, normally no relocation of villages is visualised in the buffer area, and forestry operations, NTFP collection and other rights and concessions to the local people are permitted in a regulated manner to complement the initiatives in the core unit. Project Tiger has put the tiger on an assured course of recovery from the brink of extinction, and has resurrected the floral and faunal genetic diversity in some of our unique and endangered wilderness ecosystem. The population of tigers in the country has increased significantly to about 4000 from less than 2000 at the time of launch of the project. The effective protection and concerted conservation measures inside the reserves have brought about considerable intangible achievements also, viz. arresting erosion, enrichment of water regime thereby improving the water table and overall habitat resurrection. Labour intensive activities in tiger reserves have helped in poverty alleviation amongst the most backward sections, and their dependence on forests has also reduced. The project has been instrumental in mustering local support for conservation programme in general. Approach: Elimination of all forms of human exploitation and disturbance from the core and rationalisation of such activities in the buffer. Limitation of the habitat management to repair damage done by man. Researching facts about habitat and wild animals and carefully monitoring changes in flora and fauna. There has not been any major problem in release of the budget outlay in the last three years under the scheme. However, actual utilisation of funds has been affected due to delay in release of funds by the State Government to the field units. This matter has been discussed in the Steering Committee of the Project Tiger meeting held on 8.5.2000. On the part of this Ministry , it has been decided to release the first instalment of Central assistance without waiting for the submission of UCs. However the second instalment is released only after obtaining UCs. In order to monitor the expenditure it is proposed to request the State Government to furnish, its allocation along with the quarterly financial and physical targets of Annual Plan of operations.


What is an Endangered species? Endangered means danger of the species becoming extinct or dying out.

Tigers are facing major population losses & extinction. Tigers are killed for sport, skins & body parts. The 1950s saw extinction of the Caspian tiger. The Bali and Java tiger are also extinct. The last Bali tiger was killed in 1937; the last Javan tiger was seen in 1972. India today has the largest number of tigers, with between 3,600 to 4,000. The South China tiger (20-30 are remaining), is nearly extinct in the wild.

Project Tiger (India)

The World Bank aided India Eco-development Project is an externally aided Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme, for carrying out eco-developmental works in and around Tiger Reserves and Protected Areas. The Project is financed by the International Development Association (IDA) loan and Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant, apart from Government of India, States & Project beneficiaries. With the approval of Expenditure Finance Committee, the agreement with IDA and GEF was signed on 30.9.1996 and the project was made effective by the World Bank from 27.12.96. The approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs was accorded on 14.10.97. The project was being implemented in seven protected areas till last financial year, viz; Palamau (Jharkhand), Buxa (West Bengal), Nagarhole (Karnataka), Periyar (Kerala), Pench (Madhya Pradesh), Gir (Gujrat) and Ranthambhore (Rajasthan). However, as decided by the World Bank, it is currently on going in six sites except Nagarhole National Park (Karnataka).

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the extension of the project up to 30.6.2004 on 23.09.2003.


Description of the Scheme and its objective

The Project aims at conserving bio-diversity through eco-development. The major components of the project are as under:


Ø Improved Protected Area management to assist in the improvement of Protected Area planning processes and building capacity, protecting and managing ecosystem and habitats with in Protected Areas, and to upgrade Protected Area amenities for field staff.


Ø Village eco-development to reduce negative interaction of local people on biodiversity and increased collaboration by local people in conversation by participatory micro-planning and provision of implementation support, implementing reciprocal commitments from villagers that foster alternative livelihoods and resource uses to be financed by a village eco development program and specify measurable actions by local people to improve conversation.


Ø Education, awareness, impact monitoring and support for conversation through environmental education and awareness campaigns, and impact monitoring and research to understand issues and solutions relevant to Protected Area management.


Ø Overall Project Management

Implementation Mechanism

The scheme is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme of the Ministry of Environment & Forests (Project Tiger Office) through the state Wildlife Wings of the Projects states. All funds to the Protected Areas flow through the State Governments. The Chief Wildlife Wardens / Fields Directors incur the expenditure and therefore submit reimbursement claims to the office of the Controller of Aid, Accounts and Audit, Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs, New Delhi in the manner and in the forms prescribed by the World Bank to the extent permissible under the agreement signed with IDA and GEF. In respect of the National Level Activities, expenditure is incurred by the Project Tiger Office and is claimed from the World Bank in the same manner as prescribed for the states. The project is being executed through Annual Plan of operations (APOs) that are prepared by the Project States for each management program. The log-frame matrix that lists activities in chronological order on priority basis provides the basis for Annual Plan of Operation, which are adjusted to available man power and funds. The annual Plan of operations prepared by the Project States are sent to the Government of India and to the World Bank for approval. Based on the cost of Annual Plan of Operations, the World Bank prepares cost tables for the respective State and of the total project. The revised costs are reconciled by Government of India for the preparation of necessary budget and release of funds to the Project States.



The progress of implementation of the project by Project States is reviewed periodically by the Review Missions of the World Bank which visits selected sites each time. Normally two such Missions are sent by the World Bank in a year. The progress is simultaneously watched by the Project Tiger Office through the visits of the IGF & Director, Project Tiger and the Addl. Director, India Eco development Project. As mandated in the Project, national level consultants have also been appointed to carry out an intensive review of project performance by the various States by actual visits to the sites. They submit half-yearly progress report containing their findings on each site. The report is discussed in the Steering Committee of the India Eco-development Project chaired by the Secretary (E&F).

Achievements

Problem Of Poaching In The Country And Illegal Trade In Wildlife Body Parts And Derivatives :
Increased human and cattle population in our country has led to pressure on forest resources which has ultimately caused fragmentation and degradation of wildlife habitats. This, along with the increase in wildlife population in Protected Aeras have resulted in wildlife spilling over to other areas. Resultantly, increased man-animal conflicts leading to revenge killings and poaching are discernable. Though India is not a consumer of wildlife body parts, the demand from other countries for these with lucrative profits is a threat to wildlife.



The list of poaching cases of major wild animals detected in various states during the last three years :



Reported cases of Tiger Poaching:

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
14 38 39 35 47 8

Reported cases of Leopard Poaching :


1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
28 80 201 69 87 15

About the TATR Community Conservation Project

There are 53 villages on the fringe of the reserve with 60% landless families & no means of livelihood. The project involves establishing a field station at Moharli in TATR and keeping field staff working on employment and other essential works to reduce the biotic pressure of communities on the forest & Tigers.

Your donation will fund a team of 3 conservationists for a year to work towards understanding the problems faced by the tribals in the villages in the area and designing viable & sustainable solutions beneficial to the villagers and the forests.

Project Costs:
Salaries for 1 Conservation Officer & 2 Staff (1 Year) = Rs. 1,56,000
Travel & Office Expenses (1 Year) = Rs. 1,20,000
Total = Rs. 2,76,000

Benefits:
1) A key aspect of the project will be to gather community support and indigenous knowledge for framing and later implementing biodiversity conservation programmes in the Reserve.
2) Man-tiger conflict will fall, and incidences of poisoned waterholes and kills will reduce in frequency. The project will help in strengthening protection to the entire tiger belt, ensuring the genetic viability of this region’s tiger population. In the absence of such proactive measures, it is unlikely that the project area will survive in the long run.
3) Employment opportunities from the district administration will improve, with villagers paid to protect their own source of survival, the forest which provides them food, shelter, water and fodder.