Environment Minister reviews measures to address human-wildlife conflict, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• NTCA appraised the expansion of Project Cheetah and reviewed measures to address human-wildlife conflict at Sundarbans Tiger Reserve.
• The 28th meeting of the NTCA and the 22nd Steering Committee meeting of Project Elephant included officials, scientists, and field experts.
• Bhupender Yadav emphasized science-based management, community participation, and inter-State coordination in tiger conservation.
• The meeting addressed challenges like staff shortages, financial constraints, habitat degradation, and invasive species.

Detailed Insights:

• Human-tiger conflict measures were discussed, including a three-pronged strategy and the project ‘Management of Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves’.
• NTCA ratified decisions including approval of tiger conservation plans, tiger translocation, and carnivore health management training.
• Project Elephant Steering Committee reviewed regional action plans for elephant conservation in southern and northeastern India.
• Landscape-level planning is crucial for effective tiger conservation, requiring coordination between different states and regions.
• Community participation is essential for the long-term success of wildlife conservation efforts, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Key Concepts Involved:

• NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority): A statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change overseeing tiger conservation.
• Project Cheetah: An initiative to reintroduce cheetahs to India, aiming to restore open forest and grassland ecosystems.
• Project Elephant: Launched in 1992, it aims to protect elephants, their habitats, and migration corridors.