Most awaited report of National Tiger Estimation 2022 was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.

According to Census report, minimum population of tigers is estimated as 3,167 in India. A total of 3,080 individual tigers (below one year of age) were photo-captured which is larger than the ones captured in 2018. There are 804 camera trapped tigers in Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains Landscape. There are 1,161 camera trapped tigers in Central Indian Highlands and Eastern Ghats Landscape, 824 camera trapped tigers in Western Ghats landscapes, 194 in North eastern hills and Brahmaputra plains landscape and 100 tigers captures in Sunderbans landscape. Officials said that Ranipur (Uttar Pradesh) is added in Shivalik Landscape. Three tigers were common between Ranipur and Madhya Pradesh (Central India landscape) due to which three tigers are subtracted from total addition of all landscape.

In past 10 years, India has recorded 75% hike in tigers’ count. In previous census 2018, there were 2,967 tigers in India. In gap of four years, 200 tigers have been added up in our country. PM Modi released the data on silver jubilee celebration of Project Tiger at Karnataka. He announced inauguration of International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA). The alliance will be working to conserve the cat species including tiger, leopard, lion, cheetah, Jaguar, Puma, Him in India. During year 2006, total 1,411 tigers were estimated in India while in year 2010, 1,706 tigers were in India. Again in 2014, there were 2,226 tigers and in year 2018, 2,967 tigers were estimated in India.

Detailed State-wise report of tiger estimation will be released by Wildlife Institute of India in the month of July. The tiger census report is much-awaited result for the MP Forest Department as the State expects to reclaim its ‘Tiger State’ tag. In last census 2018, Madhya Pradesh remained on first position with 526 tigers following with Karnataka 524 tigers.

Tiger census was conducted in State in five different phases from month of October. Senior forest officials were assigned as master trainer to find out accurate data from the field. Data collection was shared with Wildlife Institute of India (WII) through paperless way. The National tiger count takes place once after every four years to estimate the total number tigers in India. The count began with two-day training programme attended by wildlife experts and conservationists. The State embarked three-month long survey to count tigers’ population. The training programme was conducted at Pachmarhi, Hoshangabad district. Survey was conducted in three main phases from October to December. In the first phase, evidence related to presence of carnivorous and herbivorous wild animals in all forest areas of Madhya Pradesh and other states were gathered. The second phase included scientific study through the GIS (geographic information system) map, while in third phase, (images of) wild animals were captured in camera traps placed in forest areas. Emphasis was laid on counting of carnivorous and herbivorous wild animals in a phased manner in various forest divisions, apart from the tiger reserves. Data collection was held through mobile app M-stripes. In year 2018, MP had 257 tigers compared to 300 in Karnataka. In 2014 tiger census, MP slipped to third position in the country with a population of 308 striped animals, after Uttarakhand (340) and Karnataka (408).