Tigers know no boundaries. In a successful exercise of cross border conservation, between Bhutan and the North Eastern State of Assam in the country, tiger numbers have shown a significant increase to 21 from the previous figure of 14. This is as per the recent monitoring of big cats across the Trans boundary Manas Conservation Area (TraMCA), spanning across the Indo-Bhutan Border.
An integral part of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Region, the Transboundary Manas Conservation landscape comprises the Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam that is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park, along with the Phipsoo and Jomotshangkha wildlife sanctuaries in Bhutan. As per the latest census report, 14 tigers were found in Manas and 11 in the Royal Manas in Bhutan.
According to Anupam Sarmah, Head of WWF-India, Assam landscapes, since four tigers were spotted on both sides of the border, the total count of individuals stands at 21. This is seven more than the figures registered during the last count that took place in 2011-12. WWF is one of the key organizations involved in the conservation work of TraMCA.
Sarmah pointed out that the present count of big cats could be more, considering that the census could be conducted in two of the three ranges in Manas on the Indian side. A total area of 560 square kilometers, were camera trapped across the borders, he said.
Apart from the increase in number, the results also indicate of the presence of a healthy core breeding tiger population in the region, which can well serve as a source population for tigers for Bhutan as well as North Eastern region of India. In addition, higher abundance of prey species, as gaur, barking deer, sambar , wild boar etc. were also found in the jungles.
What is further encouraging about the findings is the evidence of unhindered movement of the tigers and wildlife across the corridors of cross border forests. This underscores the importance of maintaining the connectivity between the respective protected areas comprising the landscape, for long term conservation of the big cats.
Further, due to increasing illegal wildlife trade and poaching activities, the need of the hour is to draw up combined conservation strategies and maintain joint monitoring of tigers and wildlife for ultimate efficacy. The transboundary coordination on intelligence, information sharing network and joint patrolling mechanism are also being strengthened under TraMCA initiatives between the two countries.
According to experts, the political disturbances in Manas across both Assam and Bhutan have also reduced significantly, paving the way for the comeback of tigers. Further, thanks to the enthusiasm of the participating organizations , including WWF, Aaranyak , government agencies from India and Bhutan, that the census was more robust and thus more tigers could be camera trapped.
The concept of TraMCA was floated in 2008, as a joint initiative of India and Bhutan for trans-boundary biodiversity conservation. The latest meeting was recently held by the representatives of both the countries in Guwahati, early this week, when a detailed report on the “Tigers of Transboundary Conservation Area” was released.