Uttar Pradesh
International Tiger Day and Increase of Tiger Population in UP
- 29 Jul 2025
- 3 min read
Why in News?
Every year on 29th July, International Tiger Day (ITD) is observed as a crucial reminder to protect and conserve tigers.
Key Point
- History of ITD: It was established during the 2010 Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia.
- The summit was convened after the shocking decline of wild tigers, with only roughly 3,000 tigers remaining in the wild at that time.
- The summit brought together 13 tiger-range nations, including Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and Russia, aiming to address the declining tiger population.
- The Tx2 target, set at the summit, aimed to double the tiger population by 2022, and while challenges remain, it laid the groundwork for concerted international efforts.
- Theme of ITD 2025: Securing the future of Tigers with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities at the heart.
- Role of Tigers in the Ecosystem: As keystone species, they control the populations of prey species. Tiger-supported forests contribute to water security and act as carbon sinks, helping combat climate change.
Tiger Population in Uttar Pradesh
- Rise in Tiger Population: Uttar Pradesh has seen a steady rise in its tiger population (from 173 in 2018 to 222 in 2022), with key reserves such as Dudhwa Tiger Reserve leading the way. The reserve now boasts 135 tigers, up from 68 in 2014 and 82 in 2018.
- Other important areas include Pilibhit (63 tigers), Amangarh (20 tigers), and Ranipur (4 tigers).
- The state's tiger conservation success is attributed to several factors, including better habitat management, modern patrolling systems, and greater community involvement through initiatives like Bagh Mitra.
- Bagh Mitra Initiative: Launched in 2019, the Bagh Mitra initiative has played a crucial role in reducing human-wildlife conflicts.
- In 2023, the program expanded with the introduction of a mobile app, enabling real-time communication between forest staff and local communities.
- The initiative has also trained over 120 villagers in Pilibhit as Bagh Mitras, who are responsible for reporting animal sightings via WhatsApp and the official app.
- M-Stripes System and Patrolling: Under the M-Stripes system, forest staff cover more than 1.5 lakh km monthly across the Dudhwa landscape.
- The system employs various modes of transport, including vehicles, boats, elephants, bicycles, and foot patrols.