Question : Tiger Population

(a) whether the efforts of the Government have yielded in increase in Tiger Population in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is considering to develop a corridor connectivity between the source population of tigers in India and neighbouring countries;
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the progress in this regard so far;
(d) whether the Government is planning to repopulate the Bengal Buxa Tiger Reserve by introducing tigers from Kaziranga National Park of Assam;
(e) if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the other significant steps taken by the Government for conservation of Tigers in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) Yes, the Governments efforts have yielded an increase in tiger population in India. This is clearly evident from the results of four countrywide / All India Tiger Estimation taken in India since 2006, and the same is at Annexure-I. Under the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger, activities undertaken for fostering tiger conservation are at Annexure-II.

(b) & (c) The Government of India, through the National Tiger Conservation Authority has already mapped out 32 major tiger corridors which inter alia include corridor connectivity through Nepal and Bhutan with the technical support of Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. The list of these corridors is at Annexure-III. Also, the corridors have been delineated in the adjoining area Plans which are integral part of Tiger Conservation Plans of tiger reserves.

(d) & (e) The Government of India has recommended a project to repopulate the Buxa Tiger Reserve with tigers for which a five year plan at a total cost of Rs. 1849.50 lakhs has been approved by the Government of India in the year 2017.

(f) Milestone initiatives taken by the Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority for fostering conservation of tigers are at Annexure-IV.
***