Activists have welcomed the increase in tiger numbers shown in the phase IV monitoring in Corbett and Rajaji tiger reserves in Uttarakhand. According to the forest department, the number of individual tigers in the two tiger reserves has increased by about 63 compared to the monitoring conducted in 2015. However, the activists also remain skeptical and point out that an increase in the tiger population will also intensify the challenges being faced by the wildlife in the State especially when it comes to habitat and wildlife security.

According to information provided by the state forest department, the phase IV monitoring in the two tiger reserves of Uttarakhand for the year 2016-17 was recently completed according to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) protocol. In the Corbett Tiger Reserve, camera traps were installed for 25,453 trap nights and a total of 4,24,870 photographs were obtained. 3892 photographs of tigers were obtained from them out of which 2539 photographs were used in the analysis. The numbers were estimated based on the available photographs of the flanks of tigers. In Corbett, 99 individual tigers were identified in Ramnagar tiger reserve division and 109 individual tigers were identified in Kalagarh Tiger Reserve division. This totals to a minimum of 208 individual tigers identified in Corbett tiger reserve in the phase IV monitoring of 2016-17. In the phase IV monitoring conducted in the year 2015, the minimum number was found to be 163. Considering this there has been an increase of 45 individuals in Corbett.

Similarly, in the Rajaji tiger reserve, the phase IV monitoring in the year 2016-17 involved the use of a total 562 camera traps. The camera-trapping exercise resulted in 620 photographs of tigers which were analysed to identify individual tigers. A minimum of 34 individual tigers were identified in Rajaji whereas the tiger count here in the 2014 All India Tiger Estimation was found to

be 16.

Considering this, the number of individual tigers has increased by 18. While welcoming the increase, activists point out that this will also naturally generate the need for more space for the big cats to survive and thrive.

As the dominant tigers push out other big cats in territorial struggles, these tigers will spread to other areas in search of habitat. They will also require a healthy prey base and a good level of wildlife security as the big cast is believed to have remained on the top of the list of

poachers.

An activist wanting to remain anonymous states, “The wildlife habitat is either shrinking or under considerable pressure from growing human activities.

On the other hand the wildlife security system of the State Forest Department has remained largely unchanged with its anti-poaching cell lacking adequate staff and resources. In such a scenario an increase in the big cat population will increase the challenge of ensuring a good habitat and security to the big cats and other wildlife.”