Introduction

Launch and Growth: Project Tiger, launched in 1973, has evolved from a forest bureaucracy-administered initiative to a statutory category in 2006, becoming a global success story in conservation.
Expansion of Tiger Reserves: From nine reserves in 1973, India now boasts 54 reserves across 18 states, covering 2.38% of the country’s land area.

Tiger Population and Conservation Efforts

Census Methods and Population Growth: The transition from the pug-mark method to camera-trap techniques has shown a significant increase in tiger numbers, with India now home to three-quarters of the world’s tiger population.
Wildlife (Protection) Act (WLPA) 1972: This Act introduced National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, changing the rights of forest dwellers and centralizing control with the State government.

From Centrally Sponsored Scheme to CTH: Project Tiger’s shift to a focus on CTHs aimed to prioritize tiger-centric conservation, introducing Buffer Areas around CTHs.
2006 Amendment and NTCA Formation: The amendment to WLPA in 2006 led to the creation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and a tiger conservation plan, though CTHs remained inviolate.

Recognition of Forest Dwellers’ Rights: The FRA recognized the rights of forest dwellers, including in Tiger Reserves, and established Gram Sabhas as authorities for forest management.
Introduction of Critical Wildlife Habitat (CWH): The FRA introduced CWH, ensuring that notified areas couldn’t be diverted for non-forestry purposes.

Hasty CTH Notifications: In 2007, a rushed process led to the notification of 26 Tiger Reserves without full compliance with legal provisions.
Lack of Buffer Areas: Initially, most CTHs lacked Buffer Areas, a situation rectified only after Supreme Court intervention in 2012.

Legal Framework for Relocation: WLPA and LARR Act 2013 outline the process for voluntary relocation, with specific compensation and rehabilitation requirements.
Implementation Gaps: Actual relocation practices often fall short of legal requirements, leading to minimal consent and inadequate compensation.

Resistance to Forest Rights Recognition: Tiger Reserves often witness resistance to recognizing forest dwellers’ rights, leading to conflicts.
NTCA’s Role and Legal Challenges: NTCA’s actions, including temporary bans and wildlife clearance requirements, have sometimes conflicted with the legal rights of forest dwellers.

Balancing Biodiversity and Human Interests: India’s journey with Project Tiger highlights the need to balance tiger conservation with the rights and livelihoods of forest dwellers.
Future Prospects: As tiger populations and reserves grow, India faces the challenge of managing increasing human-wildlife conflicts while ensuring sustainable conservation practices.
Legal and Policy Evolution: The evolution of laws and policies around tiger conservation reflects a dynamic process of adapting to ecological, social, and legal complexities.