In a heartening development for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists, Karnataka has witnessed a substantial increase in its tiger population, with a total of 435 tigers recorded in the recent national animal tiger census. The findings were disclosed by Forest, Biology, and Environment Minister Ishwara B Khandre, just two days before the observance of the International Tiger Day.
The census, carried out once every four years in accordance with the guidelines of the National Tiger Authority (NTCA), utilised state-of-the-art camera trap and line transect methods to ascertain the tiger count. Karnataka, renowned for its vast expanse of the Western Ghats, has been at the forefront of tiger conservation efforts.
During the period of 2021-22, the tiger census was conducted scientifically and extensively across 37 wildlife sanctuaries, including the state’s five tiger reserves –Nagarhole, Bandipur, Bhadra, Biligiriranganathswamy Temple, and Kali Kanana.
More than 5,300 camera traps were strategically placed in all protected forests of the state, resulting in the capture of over 66 lakh photographs of various wildlife species. The sophisticated modern technology enabled researchers to calculate the tiger population based on their movements and territorial boundaries.
Compared to the 2018 All India Tiger Census, which registered 404 tigers in Karnataka’s camera trap survey, the recent data reflects a remarkable surge in tiger numbers, with an estimated 435 tigers currently inhabiting the state. Officials are optimistic that this number will continue to rise in the coming years.
Among the tiger reserves, Bandipur took the lead with 612 camera points, followed by Bhadra with 330, BRT with 288, Kali with 448, and Nagarhole with 502 camera points. Impressively, the census revealed the presence of 376 unique individual tigers, underscoring the rich diversity of the tiger population in the region.
Acknowledging the success of the conservation initiatives, Minister Ishwara B Khandre stresses the importance of preserving the state’s unique ecosystem and reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding wildlife.
The increase in tiger numbers stands as a testament to the combined efforts of the state government, wildlife authorities, and conservationists in protecting these magnificent creatures and their natural habitats.
As the world prepares to observe International Tiger Day, this remarkable conservation achievement serves as a reminder of the need to continue safeguarding the future of these iconic and endangered species.
