Environment

Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in the year 1973 to save the endangered species of Tiger in the country. Over the years, we have managed to increase their numbers to a considerable extent leaving behind some concerns to solve.

Importance of genetic flow:

1- Several studies have suggested that tigers do well in remote and dense forests such as a tiger reserve.

2- At the same time, tiger populations require genetic flow to remain robust. They need the new forest to colonize, dispersing from their natal areas as they reach adulthood.

3- Genetically isolated or stranded populations can suffer from genetic depression, and subsequently, mutations and ailments.

Yet today there is a hard disregard for conservation outside protected areas. Example:  In Madhya Pradesh, Ken-Betwa river interlinking project will submerge a large part of Panna tiger reserve and landscape.

Measures:

1- A robust forest or habitat corridor between tiger reserves is an important means of maintaining these ecological processes and may hold the key to the survival and adaptation of the species.

2- More measures such as the construction of eco-bridges over a canal cutting across a tiger corridor linking the Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserve must be encouraged.

3- Involvement of stakeholders other than forest department outside the protected area and political will should be strengthened.

Therefore mere focus on increasing the tiger numbers is only the beginning of tiger story and not the end.

·        Tiger is a keystone species.

·        India has three distinct and genetically connected tiger populations.

·        These are in –

1.      South India,

2.    Central India- The Terai & The North-East India and

3.    Ranthambore tiger reserve.

·        When tigers go extinct in an area, it is managed by carrying tigers from other areas and balance the numbers of tigers in reserve.

·        But the real problems like low genetic diversity and isolation of tiger reserves without having connectivity corridors is not addressed. e.g Ranthambore tiger reserve.

·        Importance of genetic diversity - Genetic variability is the raw material for future evolution.

·        Tiger population requires genetic flow to remain robust.

·        The more the gene flow among tiger is maintained, higher the chances of species survival.

·        Low Genetic diversity which in future leads to lower reproduction rates, faster spread of disease and more cardiac defects, among other problems.

Suggestions to improve genetic diversity

·        Creating Environmental Corridors which prevents the isolation of gene varieties.

·        Cross-breeding of tigers with diverse gene structures ensuring genetic flow and resultant offspring will have a better chance of survival.

·        Signing International agreements on gene diversification of tigers with other tiger rich countries

·        Legislating stringent measures to safeguard rare genetic varieties of tigers  

·        Tigers do not only need a place to stay but also to move – something that has to be a part of infrastructure planning too as cities, towns and highways expand.