Conservation

Project Tiger

Launched by the Government of India (Ministry of Environment and Forests), the National Tiger Conservation Authority (also known as, Project Tiger), in 1973. It began with 9 reserves, and has grown to 50. It’s daily issues includes tiger protection, habitat protection, day to day monitoring, eco-development for local people in buffer areas, voluntary relocation of people from tiger habitats, and addressing human-wildlife conflicts, within the ambit of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and guidelines of Project Tiger / National Tiger Conservation Authority. This occasionally causes issues with local tribes, whose people have been at a location for generations.

Organizations

The biggest organizations helping tigers today are the World Wildlife Foundation and Panthera. Both work to protect wild cats, stop poaching, prevent conflict amongst people and tigers, conserve habits, and reduce the hunting of these beautiful animals.

Below is a video about South China's Tigers Rewilding and Reintroduction Project. Captive South-Chinese Tigers are brought to South Africa where they live in a large enclosure and learn how to hunt and survive in the wild.Eventually they are expected to be returned back into the wild on a reservation in China. Li Quan, is Founding Director of "Save China's Tigers."

Tourism

Tourism has shown positive outcomes when paired with tigers. India has been capitalizing on this idea. Because of the many sanctuaries, reserves, and parks, India has been grabbing the attention of Tiger tourism, and promoting awareness about these animals. It has improves not only the lives and well being of tigers, but has helped create economic value for the locals.

Below is a video about tourist safety and how it is regulated, such as staying back 30 meters from the tigers. They earn 3-5 million dollars a year, which can also go to conservation for the tigers too.

Tribal People and Peace

There are many issues of removing tribes that live on or near tiger reserves. In Karnataka, the BRT Reserve of tiger population almost doubled, increasing from 35 to 68 tigers in 2014. But, The local Soliga tribes people have been allowed to continue living alongside tigers, even though they live in the core of the reserve. The Soliga have a deep relationship with the environment, and praise the tigers. They say the tiger is seen as a companion with whom they share the forest.This seems easier said then done, however the Soliga people state they never had a tiger attack.

However, In 1989, in Ganges Delta, woodcutters would get attacked by tigers often. About 60 would be killed every year. So, the workers began to wear masks on the back of the heads, facing outwards. Over a course of 3 years, woodcutters wearing the masks were never attacked. But, there were 29 people who did get attacked, but they were not wearing any masks. Perhaps with some respect, and then using techniques such as these, will help with the complicated relationship tigers have with humans.

Local Conservationists

There are many Local Conservationists, such as Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida. It's aim is to provide sancutary for big cats, such as tigers,lions,and jaguars, from trading and poaching buisnesses.

Another group, taking things into their own hands, is a Russian anti-poaching group. They hunt down poachers on the nature reserves. They say, people usually kill tigers to get money to feed their families. Below is a video about their work.

How You Can Help

You can help by donating to Project Tiger, or organizations such as the WWF, or Panthera. You can get involved with volutary work, such as those do at the Big Cat Rescue, or even get hands on like the Russian anti-poaching group. Any help is wonderful, so get involved, get active, and Help Save The Tigers.