Sundarbans (West Bengal): At first, the numbers seem impressive: India’s tiger population has gone up 30 per cent in just four years. The government lauded the news as astonishing evidence of victory in conservation. But independent scientists say such an increase — to 2,226 big cats — in so short a time doesn’t make sense.
They worry an enthusiastic new government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is misinterpreting the numbers, trumpeting false claims of a thriving tiger population that could hurt conservation in the long run. “The circus is not necessary,” said tiger expert K. Ullas Karanth, science director for the Wildlife Conservation Society in Asia.
The first numbers were released in January. Last week, the government offered details of the data. A 30 per cent increase in the population within four years is implausible. Though tigers have high birth rates, they also have high natural death rates, and factors such as habitat loss and poaching haven't slowed. At least 110 tigers were killed in 2011-14, barely a drop from the 118 poached in 2007-10, says the Wildlife Protection Society of India.
Globally, experts believe that a 50 per cent increase in the world population over 10 years is the best that can happen. Earlier too, India claimed a 17 per cent increase between 2006 and 2010, even while tiger habitats shrank by 40 per cent.
