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Elimination of all kinds of human activity in the core zones and minimisation of activity in the buffer
zone.
Assessing the damage done to the eco-system by human activity and efforts to recover it to its
original form.
Monitoring the changes taking place and studying the reasons for the same.
Initially just 9 reserves were brought under the project, a number which was increased to 27 in the year
2003. Recently a few more sites have been added to the list.
Plans are in progress to develop wireless communication systems to curb the problem of poaching. Steps like
the shifting of villages outside the core area, control of livestock grazing in tiger reserves and researching
data about environmental changes have also shown positive impact.
Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandipur National Park
Bannerghatta National Park
Corbett National Park
Dachigam National Park
Dudhwa National Park
Eravikulam National Park
Gir National Park
Hemis High Altitude National Park
Kanha National Park
Kaziranga National Park
Namdapha National Park
Uttaranchal, India
1200 sq. km.
Tiger, Leopard, Crocodile
February to May (The park remains closed from June 15 to November 15)
Claridges Corbett Hideaway, Corbett Riverside Resort, Quality Inn Corbett Jungle
Resort
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of food. The tiger is reclusive, but can be somewhat predictable in its beat. You are more likely to spot a tiger
close near a water body than to meet him or her accidentally on the forest path!
read more about Tiger
Asiatic Elephant
What warns you is the sharp tang of freshly crushed vegetation and the sound of leaves being torn. Spotting
elephants in the wild is a raw, exhilarating experience. The Corbett Park is the best place in Northern India to
observe them at fairly close quarters. About 300 - 350 Asiatic elephants roam around the park in herds, along
the river Ramganga or foraging in the grasslands. The forests provide the elephants enough food. The
elephant's daily diet is perked up with wild berries and fruits which are available in plenty.
The forests provide the elephants enough food. The elephant's daily diet is perked up with wild berries and
fruits which are available aplenty.
read more about Elephant
Bird Population
The park, with its rich biogeographic diversity, is home to more than 600
species of birds - about half of the total species found in the entire Indian
subcontinent! You can see parakeets, owls, orioles, drongos, thrushes,
babblers, bulbuls, cuckoos, doves, bee eaters, rollers, flycatchers, warblers,
robins, chats, finches, forktails, hornbills, kingfishers and many many more.
It is also possibly one of the best places in the world for observing birds of
prey. Many of these birds are migratory: The park forms a natural crossroad
and meeting ground for avian species from high altitude areas, plains and
eastern and western regions.
Corbett - A home for vanishing species
The protective environment of Corbett Park has kept some endangered species safe and thriving, like the hog
deer which has been virtually saved from extinction. At last count, the numbers had increased substantially.
Corbett is also the only home of the rare Indian pangolin. Consider yourself supremely blessed if you spot
one! The rare fish eating, long snouted gharial is a common sight on the banks of the river Ramganga.
Several species on the world hit list have been seen to be breeding happily in the park, at ease in Corbett's
rich, life supporting bio diversity.
Other Residents
Other inhabitants of Periyar include the leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri langur (a
primate), bonnet macaque, sambhar, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boar, and sloth bear.
There are approximately 40 tigers in the area as per the latest census. The tigers, along with the Nilgiri tahrs
(a kind of a wild goat), are elusive creatures. However, an early morning visit, with luck on one's side, can
yield positive results.
Fauna Attractions
The flora here is composed mainly of marshy grasslands. The forests are a mixture of grasslands, fireresistant low-growth vegetation, deciduous forests, semi-evergreens, and tropical evergreens. It is good to be
cautious of the blood-sucking leeches that are found in plenty here
About
Gir is the only home in India for the Asiatic Lion of which there are nearly
300 in the park. The Gir National Park lies in the Gujarat peninsula in SouthWestern India. The terrain is rugged with low hills and the vegetation is
mixed deciduous, with stands of Teak, Acacia, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak trees,
interspersed with large patches of grasslands. The trees on the hills are
sparse and stunted.
Within the sanctuary, there are numerous human settlements of cattle herders
called Maldharis with an estimated 20,000 head of livestock (which,
incidentally, forms a significant part of the Lions diet). There are also places
of Hindu worship and pilgrimage and sulphur springs at Tulsi Shyam and Kankai Mata. The edges of the
park have good population of Indian Gazelle, protected by religious sentiments of the local people.
Wildlife Attractions in Gir National Park
A distinct belt of vegetation is found along the main rivers and streams. Species like the Jambu, Karanj,
Umro, Vad, Kalam, Charal, Sirus and Amli are mainly found here. These trees are mostly broad leaved and
evergreen, giving the area a cool shade and the moisture content. Finally, Prosopis and Casuarina have been
planted in the coastal borders as part of the afforestation plan.
The Asiatic Lion
Gir Sanctuary is the last and only home of the critically endangered Asiatic Lion. These lions are a smaller
more compact version of their African counterparts, and are best viewed at dawn or dusk when they are on
the move. The major difference between the two is that the African Lion appears larger than the Indian Lion
because of its large and luxuriant mane.
read more about Lion
The Leopards
Leopard is considered to be one of the most beautiful and graceful animals in the jungle, also the most
dangerous one. Popularly known as the Prince of Cats, this animal is the most adaptable among the
predators, one of the reasons why it occupies a much larger spread of Gujarat forest cover. In the Gir
National Park it is found in all the varied habitats and vegetation types. The approximate population of 210
Leopards resides within the sanctuary area.
read more about Leopards
Reptiles
Not leaving the water predators behind, Mash crocodiles are often seen along the Kamleshwar Dam Site.
Another major attraction among the reptile population of Gir National Park are the numerous non-venomous
Snakes such as the Indian Rock Python along with the four venomous varieties of Indian Cobra, Common
Krait, Saw Scaled Viper, Russell's Viper. Among the lesser-known wildlife of Gir National Park includes the
most common animal that can be sighted in the sanctuary, the Chital or Spotted Deer. Other main wild
attractions are Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambhar, Black Bucks, the four horned Antelope, Wild Boar, Indian Flying
Foe, Grey Musk Shrew, Indian Hare, Pale Hedgehog, Small Indian Mangoose, Small Indian Civet, Indian
Pangolin, Indian Porcupine, Ratel, Indian Fox, and Jackal. The three smaller wildcats - the Jungle Cat,
Desert Cat and the Rusty Spotted Cat also inhabit the forest, a fact which shows that the forest is not just
meant for the protection of Lions, but the entire cat family.
Avian Population
The forest is also rich in bird life, with an estimated 300 species inhabiting the Gir National Park. Many
wildlife experts believe that had Gir not been a Lion sanctuary, it could have easily passed off as a protected
area for the incredible diversity of birds that it harbors. The avifauna here occupies the forest floors, small
plants and shrubs and even the canopy of the trees. The Paradise Flycatcher, Black Headed Cuckoo Shrike,
Pied Woodpecker, Bonelli's Eagle, Creset Serpant Eagle, Painted Sandgrouse, Bush Quail and Grey Patridge
are the commonly found varieties in the park.
Wildlife of India
The wildlife of India is a mix of species of diverse origins.[1] The region's rich and diverse wildlife is
preserved in numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country.[2] Since India is home to a
number of rare and threatened animal species, wildlife management in the country is essential to preserve
these species.[3] According to one study, India along with 17 mega diverse countries is home to about 60-70%
of the world's biodiversity.[4]
India, lying within the Indomalaya ecozone, is home to about 7.6% of all mammalian, 12.6% of avian, 6.2%
of reptilian, and 6.0% of flowering plant species.[5] Many ecoregions, such as the shola forests, also exhibit
extremely high rates of endemism; overall, 33% of Indian plant species are endemic.[6][7] India's forest cover
ranges from the tropical rainforest of India of the Andaman Islands, Western Ghats, and Northeast India to
the coniferous forest of the Himalaya. Between these extremes lie the sal-dominated moist deciduous forest
of eastern India; teak-dominated dry deciduous forest of central and southern India; and the babul-dominated
thorn forest of the central Deccan and western Gangetic plain.[8] Important Indian trees include the medicinal
neem, widely used in rural Indian herbal remedies. The pipal fig tree, shown on the seals of Mohenjo-daro,
shaded the Gautama Buddha as he sought enlightenment.
Many Indian species are descendants of taxa originating in Gondwana, to which India originally belonged.
Peninsular India's subsequent movement towards, and collision with, the Laurasian landmass set off a mass
exchange of species. However, volcanism and climatic change 20 million years ago caused the extinction of
many endemic Indian forms.[9] Soon thereafter, mammals entered India from Asia through two
zoogeographical passes on either side of the emerging Himalaya. [8] As a result, among Indian species, only
12.6% of mammals and 4.5% of birds are endemic, contrasting with 45.8% of reptiles and 55.8% of
amphibians.[5] Notable endemics are the Nilgiri leaf monkey and the brown and carmine Beddome's toad of
the Western Ghats. India contains 172, or 2.9%, of IUCN-designated threatened species.[10] These include the
Asiatic lion, the Bengal tiger, and the Indian white-rumped vulture, which suffered a near-extinction from
ingesting the carrion of diclofenac-treated cattle.
In recent decades, human encroachment has posed a threat to India's wildlife; in response, the system of
national parks and protected areas, first established in 1935, was substantially expanded. In 1972, India
enacted the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger to safeguard crucial habitat; further federal protections
were promulgated in the 1980s. Along with over 500 wildlife sanctuaries, India now hosts 15 biosphere
reserves, four of which are part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves; 25 wetlands are registered
under the Ramsar Convention.
The varied and rich wildlife of India has had a profound impact on the region's popular culture. Common
name for wilderness in India is Jungle which was adopted by the British colonialists to the English language.
The word has been also made famous in The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. India's wildlife has been the
subject of numerous other tales and fables such as the Panchatantra and the Jataka tales.
Fauna
Fauna of India
The endangered Black Buck at the Guindy National Park, the only National park in the world
within a metropolis.
India is home to several well known large mammals including the Asian Elephant, Bengal Tiger, Asiatic
Lion, Leopard, Sloth Bear and Indian Rhinoceros, often engrained culturally and religiously often being
associated with deities. Other well known large Indian mammals include ungulates such as the rare Wild
Asian Water buffalo, common Domestic Asian Water buffalo, Nilgai, Gaur and several species of deer and
antelope. Some members of the dog family such as the Indian Wolf, Bengal Fox, Golden Jackal and the
Dhole or Wild Dogs are also widely distributed. However,the dhole also known as the whistling hunter are
the most endangered top Indian carnivore, and Himalayan Wolf is now critically endangered endemic
species to India. It is also home to the Striped Hyena, Macaques, Langurs and Mongoose species.
Conservation
Now the world's rarest monkey, the golden langur typifies the precarious survival of much of
India's megafauna.
The need for conservation of wildlife in India is often questioned because of the apparently incorrect priority
in the face of direct poverty of the people. However Article 48 of the Constitution of India specifies that,
"The state shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife
of the country" and Article 51-A states that "it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and
improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife and to have compassion for
living creatures."[11]
The most endangered Indian top predator of 2010, the dhole is on edge of extinction. There
remain less than 2500 members of species in the world.
Large and charismatic mammals are important for wildlife tourism in India and several national parks and
wildlife sanctuaries cater to these needs. Project Tiger started in 1972 is a major effort to conserve the tiger
and its habitats.[12] At the turn of the 20th century, one estimate of the tiger population in India placed the
figure at 40,000, yet an Indian tiger census conducted in 2008 revealed the existence of only 1411 tigers. The
passing of the Forest Rights Act by the Indian government in 2008 has been the final nail in the coffin and
has pushed the Indian tiger on the verge of extinction.Various pressures in the later part of the 20th century
led to the progressive decline of wilderness resulting in the disturbance of viable tiger habitats. At the
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) General Assembly meeting in
Delhi in 1969, serious concern was voiced about the threat to several species of wildlife and the shrinkage of
wilderness in the India. In 1970, a national ban on tiger hunting was imposed and in 1972 the Wildlife
Protection Act came into force. The framework was then set up to formulate a project for tiger conservation
with an ecological approach.
Launched on April 1, 1973, Project Tiger has become one of the most successful conservation ventures in
modern history. The project aims at tiger conservation in specially constituted 'tiger reserves' which are
representative of various bio-geographical regions falling within India. It strives to maintain a viable tiger
population in their natural environment. Today, there are 39 Project Tiger wildlife reserves in India covering
an area more than of 37,761 km.
Project Elephant, though less known, started in 1992 and works for elephant protection in India.[13] Most of
India's rhinos today survive in the Kaziranga National Park.
Asiatic Lion
Indian Elephant
Indian Rhinoceros
Indian Cobra
Indian Peafowl
Indian Gazelle
Lion-tailed Macaque
Shikra
Pariah Kite
Brown Owl.jpg
Brown Fish-owl
Brahminy Kite
Indian-ringnecked
Parakeet
Recent extinctions
The exploitation of land and forest resources by humans along with hunting and trapping for food and sport
has led to the extinction of many species in India in recent times. These species include mammals such as the
Indian / Asiatic Cheetah, Javan Rhinoceros and Sumatran Rhinoceros.[14] While some of these large mammal
species are confirmed extinct, there have been many smaller animal and plant species whose status is harder
to determine. Many species have not been seen since their description.
Hubbardia heptaneuron, a species of grass that grew in the spray zone of the Jog Falls prior to the
construction of the Linganamakki reservoir, was thought to be extinct but a few were rediscovered near
Kolhapur.[15]
Some species of birds have gone extinct in recent times, including the Pink-headed Duck (Rhodonessa
caryophyllacea) and the Himalayan Quail (Ophrysia superciliosa). A species of warbler, Acrocephalus
orinus, known earlier from a single specimen collected by Allan Octavian Hume from near Rampur in
Himachal Pradesh was rediscovered after 139 years in Thailand.[16][17]
Flora of India
Main article: Flora of India
There are about 17500 taxa of flowering plants from India. The Indian Forest Act, 1927 helped to improve
protection of the natural habitat.
Biosphere reserves
The Indian government has established 15 Biosphere Reserves of India which protect larger areas of natural
habitat and often include one or more National Parks and/or preserves, along buffer zones that are open to
some economic uses. Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna of the protected region, but also to
the human communities who inhabit these regions, and their ways of life. The 15 Bio-reserves in India are1. Sunderbans
2. Gulf of Mannar
3. The Nilgiris
4. Nanda Devi
5. Nokrek
6. Great Nicobar
7. Manas
8. Simlipal
9. Dihang Dibang
10.Dibru Saikhowa
11.Agasthyamalai
12.Kangchenjunga
13.Pachmarhi
14.Achanakmar-Amarkantak
15.Kachchh
Seven of the fifteen biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the
UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.[19]
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals, and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and
animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the
environment, both positive and negative. Wildlife can be found in all ecosystems, Deserts, rain forests,
plains, and other areas including the most developed urban sites all have distinct forms of wildlife. While the
term in popular culture usually refers to animals that are untouched by human factors, most scientists agree
that wildlife around the world is impacted by human activities.
Indian wildlife:The wildlife of India is a mix of species of diverse origins. The region's rich and diverse wildlife is preserved
in numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country. Since India is home to a number of
rare and threatened animal species, wildlife management in the country is essential to preserve these species.
According to one study, India is home to about 60-70% of the world's biodiversity. India, lying within the
Indomalaya ecozone, is home to about 7.6% of all mammalian, 12.6% of avian, 6.2% of reptilian, and 6.0%
of flowering plant species.
Many ecoregions, such as the shola forests, also exhibit extremely high rates of endemism; overall, 33% of
Indian plant species are endemic. India's forest cover ranges from the tropical rainforest of the Andaman
Islands, Western Ghats, and Northeast India to the coniferous forest of the Himalaya. Between these
extremes lie the sal-dominated moist deciduous forest of eastern India; teak-dominated dry deciduous forest
of central and southern India; and the babul-dominated thorn forest of the central Deccan and western
Gangetic plain. Important Indian trees include the medicinal neem, widely used in rural Indian herbal
remedies. The pipal fig tree, shown on the seals of Mohenjo-daro, shaded the Gautama Buddha as he sought
enlightenment.
Many Indian species are descendants of taxa originating in Gondwana, to which India originally belonged.
Peninsular India's subsequent movement towards, and collision with, the Laurasian landmass set off a mass
exchange of species. However, volcanism and climatic changes 20 million years ago caused the extinction of
many endemic Indian forms. Soon thereafter, mammals entered India from Asia through two
zoogeographical passes on either side of the emerging Himalaya. As a result, among Indian species, only
12.6% of mammals and 4.5% of birds are endemic, contrasting with 45.8% of reptiles and 55.8% of
amphibians. Notable endemics are the Nilgiri leaf monkey and the brown and carmine Beddome's toad of the
Western Ghats. India contains 172, or 2.9%, of IUCN-designated threatened species. These include the
Asiatic lion, the Bengal tiger, and the Indian white-rumped vulture, which suffered a near-extinction from
ingesting the carrion of diclofenac-treated cattle.
In recent decades, human encroachment has posed a threat to India's wildlife; in response, the system of
national parks and protected areas, first established in 1935, was substantially expanded. In 1972, India
enacted the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger to safeguard crucial habitat; further federal protections
were promulgated in the 1980s. Along with over 500 wildlife sanctuaries, India now hosts 14 biosphere
reserves, four of which are part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves; 25 wetlands are registered
under the Ramsar Convention. The varied and rich wildlife of India has had a profound impact on the
region's popular culture. Common name for wilderness in India is Jungle which was adopted by the British
colonialists to the English language. The word has been also made famous in The Jungle Book by Rudyard
Kipling. India's wildlife has been the subject of numerous other tales and fables such as the Panchatantra and
the Jataka tales.
The gradual emergence of the human beings as the most dominant species among all other species of
animals and the attempt of the human beings to set themselves apart from other species is the main
underlying cause of the contemporary environmental disaster. The main reason behind a threat to the wildlife
and the ecosystem is the constantly growing deforestation, poaching and negligence towards animals and
nature. The Indian Government has started nature projects like, Project Tiger, Nature Camps, Jungle Lodges,
etc. to encourage wildlife awareness among the common people. Besides preserving the natural heritage,
these projects also promote eco-tourism.
Various Projects:Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only existent habitation for the nearly extinct Asiatic Lions in India. The
Kaziranga Sanctuary in Assam is a major example of good effort to save the endangered Rhinoceros.
Similarly, Periyar in Kerala is doing a great job to preserve the wild Elephants and Dachigam National Park
is progressing rapidly to save Kashmiri Stag.
Wildlife Conservation in India occupies a total area of about 3.29 million sq. km. that contains floral and
faunal species, mammals, reptiles, insects and birds. The Wildlife Conservation in India has become the
most popular holiday destinations because of its diverseness. In India there are 571 sanctuaries and reserve
parks that are protected by the Indian Government, mainly meant for the protection of the extinct species of
animals and birds. Predators, Carnivores and Herbivores, - all are equally important to maintain the vital
ecological processes as nutrient and water cycling. India has over 500 animal sanctuaries, referred to as
Wildlife Sanctuaries (IUCN Category IV Protected Area). Among these, the 28 Tiger Reserves are governed
by Project Tiger, and are of special significance in the conservation of the tiger. Some wildlife sanctuaries
are specifically named Bird Sanctuary, eg. Keoladeo National Park before attained National Park status.
Many National Parks were initially Wildlife Sanctuaries. Wildlife sanctuaries of national importance to
conservation, usually due to some flagship faunal species, are named National Wildlife Sanctuary, like
national chambal (gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary for conserving the Gharial (1978).
Some of the important wildlife sanctuaries in India are: Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh
Corbett National Park in Uttar Pradesh
Gir National Park & Sanctuary in Gujarat
Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh
Kaziranga National Park in Assam
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala
Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan
Sunderbans National Park in West Bengal
Dachigam National Park in Jammu & Kashmir
Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam
National Parks of India:India's first national park (an IUCN category II protected area) was established in 1935 as Hailey National
Park, now known as Jim Corbett National Park. By 1970, India only had five national parks. In 1972, India
enacted the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger to safeguard the habitats of conservation reliant
species. Further federal legislation strengthening protections for wildlife was introduced in the 1980s. As of
April 2007, there are 96 national parks. All national park lands encompass a combined 38,029.18 km,
1.16% of India's total surface area. A total of 166 national parks have been authorized. Plans are underway to
establish the remaining scheduled parks.
Biosphere Reserves:The term Biosphere Reserve' should denote an area:
Which is, set aside for the conservation of the resources of the biosphere and for the improvement of the
relationship between man and the environment;
Which is, to serve as sites for long term scientific research as well as education all over the world.
List of National Parks:-
The programme of Biosphere Reserve was initiated under the 'Man & Biosphere' (MAB) programme by
UNESCO in 1971. Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to
reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. They are internationally recognized,
nominated by National Governments and remain under sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are
located. Biosphere Reserves serve in some ways as 'living laboratories' for testing out and demonstrating
integrated management of land, water and biodiversity (CES., UNESCO, 2005., IUCN, 1979).
List of Biosphere Reserves
Achanakmar-Amarkanta- Madhya Pradesh & Chhattishgarh
Agasthyamalai- Kerala
Dehang-Debang- Arunachal Pradesh
Dibru-Saikhowa- Assam
Great Nicobar- Andaman and Nicobar
Gulf of Mannar - Tamil Nadu
Khangchenjunga Sikkim
Manas- Assam
Nanda Devi-Uttaranchal
Nilgiri -Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka
Nokrek-Meghalaya
Pachmarhi -Madhya Pradesh
Simlipal-Orissa
Sunderbans-West Bengal
IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international
organization dedicated to natural resource conservation.Founded in 1948, its headquarters is located in the
Lake Geneva area in Gland, Switzerland.
The IUCN brings together 83 states, 108 government agencies, 766 Non-governmental organizations and 81
international organizations and about 10,000 experts and scientists from countries around the world. IUCN's
mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and
diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.
Biosphere Reserve Objectives:Each Biosphere Reserve is intended to fulfill three basic functions, which are complementary and mutually
reinforcing:
A conservation function - to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic
variation;
A development function - to foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and
ecologically sustainable;
A logistic function - to provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange
related to local, national and global issues of conservation and development (UNESCO, 2005).
The Indian government has established 15 Biosphere Reserves of India, (categories roughly corresponding to
IUCN Category V Protected areas), which protect larger areas of natural habitat (than a National Park or
Animal Sanctuary), and often include one or more National Parks and/or preserves, along buffer zones that
are open to some economic uses. Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna of the protected region,
but also to the human communities who inhabit these regions, and their ways of life. Four of the fifteen
biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and
the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve
Conservation of wildlife in India:The need for conservation of wildlife in India is often questioned because of the apparently incorrect priority
in the face of dire poverty of the people. However Article 48 of the Constitution of India specifies that "the
state shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the
country" and Article 51-A states that "it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the
natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife and to have compassion for living
creatures."
Large and charismatic mammals are important for wildlife tourism in India and several national parks and
wildlife sanctuaries cater to these needs. Project Tiger started in 1972 is a major effort to conserve the tiger
and its habitats. At the turn of the 20th century, one estimate of the tiger population in India placed the figure
at 40,000, yet an Indian tiger census conducted in 1972 revealed the existence of only 1827 tigers. Various
pressures in the later part of the 20th century led to the progressive decline of wilderness resulting in the
disturbance of viable tiger habitats. At the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources (IUCN) General Assembly meeting in Delhi in 1969, serious concern was voiced about the threat
to several species of wildlife and the shrinkage of wilderness in the India. In 1970, a national ban on tiger
hunting was imposed and in 1972 the Wildlife Protection Act came into force. The framework was then set
up to formulate a project for tiger conservation with an ecological approach.
Project Tiger which was launched on April 1, 1973, has become one of the most successful conservation
ventures in modern history. The project aims at tiger conservation in specially constituted 'tiger reserves'
which are representative of various bio-geographical regions falling within India. It strives to maintain a
viable tiger population in their natural environment. Today, there are 27 Project Tiger wildlife reserves in
India covering an area of 37,761 km.Project Elephant, though less known, started in 1992 and works for
elephant protection in India. Most of India's rhinos today survive in the Kaziranga National Park. The
wildlife institute of India (WII) is a government institution run by the Indian Council of Forestry Research
and Education which trains wildlife managers and wildlife researchers.
Trained personnel from WII have contributed in studying and protecting wildlife in India. WII has also
popularized wildlife studies and careers. The institute is based in Dehradun, India. It is located in
Chandrabani, which is close to the southern forests of Dehradun. The Indian Council of Forestry Research
and Education also runs the Forest Research Institute and the Indian Institute of Forest Management
Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 :In 1972 by the Government of India. Prior to 1972, India only had five designated national parks. Among
other reforms, the Act established schedules of protected plant and animal species; hunting or otherwise
harvesting these species was largely outlawed.
The Act provides for the protection of Wild animals, birds and plants and for matters connected therewith or
ancillary or incidental thereto. It extends to the whole of India, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir
which has its own wildlife act. It has six schedules which give varying degrees of protection, with absolute
protection being provided under Schedule I and part II of schedule II with the highest penalties prescribed
for offences under these schedules and Species listed in the Sch. IV are also protected but the penalties are
much lower, with the enforcement authorities having the power to compound offences (as in they impose
fines on the offenders).
The situation of wildlife is getting alarming in India. In particular, our national animal, the royal Bengal tiger is under
a serious threat. With more than 40,000 of the species at the start of the 20th century, thanks to the British officers
and Indian royalties, the population rapidly dwindled to about 5500 in 1970's when the ban on tiger hunting was put
into place for the first time. Project Tiger was launched in 1973 and since then it has established several forests under
it's helm as tiger reserves. The data shows it as a success with reasonable improvement in the tiger population till the
start of this decade.
However, no data is available for the recent years and other sources reveal that poachers have successfully
exterminated the tigers from several of these reserves like Sariska. The main demand for tiger products come from
Tibet and China, where, tiger parts are integral part of traditional dresses and medicines respectively. Situation of
tigers in China is much worse, with about 50 South China tigers left in wild. These too are of poor genetic diversity.
There are at least 5 tiger farms in China, where about 5000 tigers are reared as cattle. They are brutally treated and declawed for "safety". These tigers can not be reintroduced in the wild as they have poor genetic diversity and lack the
basic knowledge of killing a prey. Ban on tiger products by Chinese government for last 14 years has hardly improved
the situation and tiger farmers are actively lobbying for removing the ban.
In India, challenges for safeguarding the tigers include lack of dense forests, ever-increasing encroachment, rampant
poaching and lack of resources in the forest department. In India, only 2% of land are dense forests. However, the
government claims about 19% as forest land and plans to bring 33% of land under forest cover by 2012. Encroachment
is a major problem, with several thousand hectares of forest land being occupied by public every year. Many villages
already lie in the buffer and core regions of several reserves, rendering interaction with wildlife inevitable. Many tigers
are poisoned or electrocuted by villagers as they attack the livestock. Several fall in open wells. Some industries are also
lobbying for acquiring forest lands. Sulzon, the windmill company, wants to plant windmills on forest land in
Maharashtra, while, oil companies like Reliance are lobbying for forest land grants to cultivate plants for bio-diesel.
Apart from tigers, other animals like alligators, lions, elephants and rhinoceros are under a similar threat. In a nutshell, the situation of wildlife in India is getting worse. There are several NGOs which work primarily in spreading
awareness. The action part lies with the government and unless it takes strong steps to stop poaching and
encroachment, the trends are hard to reverse.