Bengal Tiger
The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is the most numerous tiger subspecies, primarily found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. Despite being a conservation success story in some regions, it remains endangered due to poaching, habitat loss, and human–wildlife conflict. Numerous conservation projects focus on habitat protection, anti-poaching efforts, and community-based conservation.
Key Projects Protecting the Bengal Tiger
1. Project Tiger (India)
- Launched in 1973 by the Government of India, this is one of the world’s most successful wildlife conservation programs.
- Aims to ensure a viable population of tigers in natural habitats and protect them from extinction.
- Established a network of 53 tiger reservesacross India, covering over 75,000 km².
- Key components include:
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Habitat restoration and corridor protection.
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Anti-poaching patrols and intelligence networks.
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Community relocation programs from core tiger zones.
- Administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
2. Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP)
- Initiated under the Global Tiger Initiative (GTI)in 2010, endorsed by all 13 tiger range countries.
- Aims to double the global wild tiger population (TX2 goal) by 2022 and beyond.
- Focuses on transboundary cooperation, law enforcement, and scientific monitoring.
- Supported by the World Bank, WWF, and the Global Tiger Forum (GTF).
- Bengal tiger range countries—India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan—are key participants.
3. WWF’s Tigers Alive Initiative
- A global program by WWF dedicated to increasing tiger numbers in the wild.
- Works in priority landscapes such as:
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Sundarbans (India and Bangladesh)
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Terai Arc Landscape (India and Nepal)
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Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong (India)
- Focus areas include:
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Anti-poaching and trafficking prevention.
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Habitat connectivity and corridor restoration.
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Community-based conservation and livelihood support.
- Collaborates with local governments and law enforcement agencies.
4. Sundarbans Tiger Conservation Project (India & Bangladesh)
- Protects the Sundarbans mangrove forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only mangrove habitat for tigers.
- Managed jointly by WWF, Bangladesh Forest Department, and West Bengal Forest Department.
- Focuses on:
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Human–tiger conflict mitigation through early warning systems and tiger response teams.
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Habitat management and coastal resilience against climate change.
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Community engagement to reduce dependence on forest resources.
5. Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) Project
- A transboundary conservation initiative between India and Nepal, covering over 49,000 km².
- Aims to restore and connect fragmented habitats for tigers, elephants, and rhinos.
- Implemented by WWF, NTNC (Nepal), and government agencies.
- Activities include:
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Reforestation and corridor restoration.
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Anti-poaching patrols and wildlife monitoring.
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Community forest management to reduce pressure on tiger habitats.
6. Panthera’s Tiger Program
- Conducts scientific research and anti-poaching operations across tiger range countries.
- Works in India and Nepal to strengthen law enforcement and wildlife crime investigations.
- Uses camera trap data, DNA analysis, and satellite tracking to monitor tiger populations.
- Partners with local NGOs and forest departments to enhance conservation capacity.
7. Bangladesh Tiger Action Plan (BTAP)
- Developed by the Bangladesh Forest Department and WWF to protect tigers in the Sundarbans Reserve Forest.
- Focuses on:
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Strengthening forest protection and patrols.
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Community awareness programs to prevent retaliatory killings.
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Scientific research on tiger ecology and prey availability.
- Supported by USAID and Zoological Society of London (ZSL).
Supporting Organizations
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National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
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Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
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World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
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Global Tiger Forum (GTF)
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Panthera
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Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
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Bangladesh Forest Department
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Nepal’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC)
The Broader Mission
Conservation of the Bengal tiger is driven by a combination of national initiatives like Project Tiger, global partnerships such as the Global Tiger Recovery Program, and regional efforts in the Sundarbans and Terai Arc. These projects integrate scientific monitoring, anti-poaching enforcement, and community participation, making the Bengal tiger one of the most intensively protected big cats in the world.