Relevance:
Tiger Conservation in India
Content:
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the apex body responsible for the conservation of tigers in India, has recently issued directives urging 19 states to prioritize the relocation of villagers residing in core tiger zones.
NTCA’s Directive:
Core Tiger Zone: The NTCA highlights that 591 villages, comprising 64,801 families, reside within core tiger zones, which poses a significant challenge for effective tiger conservation.
Definition: The core zone of a tiger reserve is the area where human activities such as hunting and the collection of forest produce are prohibited, and tribal communities cannot reside.
Buffer Zone: Surrounding the core zone is the buffer zone, where certain activities are permitted but regulated.
About the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
Constitution: NTCA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Chairmanship: The authority is chaired by the Minister for Environment and Forests.
Structure:
Members:
- 8 experts in wildlife conservation and tribal welfare.
- 3 Members of Parliament (MPs).
- Inspector General of Forests as ex-officio Member Secretary.
Objectives
- Provide statutory authority to Project Tiger.
- Enhance Centre-State accountability in managing tiger reserves.
- Facilitate parliamentary oversight.
- Address livelihood concerns of local communities.
Powers and Functions:
- Approve state-prepared tiger conservation plans.
- Prevent unsustainable land use in tiger reserves.
- Conduct tiger censuses using the M-STrIPES app.
- Support biodiversity conservation through eco-development and community participation.
Key Initiative:
Project Tiger: Launched on April 1, 1973, this Centrally Sponsored Scheme aims for the in-situ conservation of tigers.
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