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Finally, good news rolling out of the forests of Madhya Pradesh. As per the latest reports of Wildlife Institute of India ( WII, Dehradun ), The number of tigers in Madhya Pradesh might increase from the existing 308 (as per 2014 census by NTCA ) to 415. This report is an amalgamation of camera trappings, pugmarks & scientific reports.
It is speculated that WII might release the report in the coming fortnight.
NTCA ( National tiger Conservation Authority ) has conducted a state wise counting of tigers in Madhya Pradesh from Dec ‘2017 to April ‘2018 in the national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and unreserved forests of Madhya Pradesh. This counting, done every four years was conducted last in 2014 and had reported 308 tigers n Madhya Pradesh. Authorities closely associated with this are extremely optimistic of a final figure crossing 415 tigers in Madhya Pradesh.
The analysis of the “Tiger Census 2018” concludes significant increase in the number of resident tigers in the unreserved forests too. Even the territorial areas of the tigers has enhanced in the Jabalpur forest circle.
The State Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur has forwarded all the primary survey and trap camera records to National Tiger Conservation Authorities & Wildlife Institute of India. They will be processing the same and analysis of a PAN India state wise records will be submitted finally.
Around 4,600 trap cameras and forest department employees were used for this tiger count.
The year 2014 recorded tiger presence in 717 beats of Madhya Pradesh. The current consus projects tiger presence in 1432 beats. In 2014, Kanha National park recorded tiger presence in 155 beats of 11 11 ranges. The current census shows a positive tiger presence in 188 beats in 13 ranges.
Currently, Kanha National Park has 83 tigers and Bandhavgarh National Park has 61 tigers.
Similarly, in Jabalpur circle, the presence of tigers has enhanced from 28 to 62 beats.
The tiger census of 2014 declared Karnataka having a count of 408 tigers, Uttarakhand with 340 & Madhya Pradesh ranked No 3 with 308 tigers.
Year Wise Tiger Census of Madhya Pradesh
2006 – 300 tigers
2010 – 257 tigers
2014 – 308 tigers
Madhya Pradesh had received the “Tiger State” award in 1991 when the total count of tigers were said to be 900, which included the state of Chattisgarh too.
Madhya Pradesh lost this coveted title to Karnataka in 2010.
The government of Madhya Pradesh is planning to declare newer National Parks and Wildlife sanctuaries to protect the species. Omkareshwar National Park, Mandhata, Singhaji and Ratapani wildlife Sanctuaries has already been shortlisted.