NEW DELHI: India has made great strides toward the conservation of tigers, as reflected in significant decreases in tiger deaths.
According to a recent analysis by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, there was an impressive 37% decline in tiger deaths this year. In 2024, 115 deaths were reported, compared to 182 fatalities in 2023, which is a tremendous improvement in the conservation space.
Certainly, the best news in this year's report is the marked decrease in tiger poaching. The body count for cases related to poaching has precipitously decreased from 17 cases in 2023 to only four in 2024-underscoring the efficacy of anti-poaching measures and stronger enforcement of wildlife protection laws nationwide.
The good news notwithstanding, the NTCA report fails to explain what exactly led to the rest of the tiger fatalities. Although there is a decrease in poaching cases, territorial conflicts, accidents, poisoning, and electrocution are also killing them. The NTCA has stated that the delay in data reporting and the submission of forensic reports from several states has led to gaps in the information, which cannot be used to fully understand the reasons behind these deaths. An NTCA official mentioned, "The states have been tardy in submitting data on the precise causes of death and sending forensic reports."
Regional data shows that Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have the highest casualties of tigers. According to the data, Madhya Pradesh, which has been an important habitat for tigers for several years, has reported 46 deaths in 2024, a slight rise from 43 last year. Meanwhile, Maharashtra saw a remarkable improvement, with tiger deaths dropping by 50% from 46 in 2023 to just 23 in 2024. Karnataka, another state with a significant tiger population, recorded 11 deaths, which is one fewer than the previous year.
Experts believe that the decrease in tiger fatalities, especially those related to poaching, is a direct result of improved conservation strategies and more robust anti-poaching efforts. Dr. Bilal Habib, a scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), said, "These results reflect the success of stronger conservation measures and effective implementation of anti-poaching initiatives. The involvement of local communities, increased surveillance, and enhanced protection for tiger habitats have all played a crucial role in this decline.".
While there is much that is left to be done, the statistics produced for this year seem rather optimistic concerning the future of India when it comes to the sustainability of its tigers. It may be said that if fewer tiger deaths are seen at a later date, in spite of the work currently put in, this points out a positive trend toward improvement.
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