Rise in tiger deaths in 2023: Environment Ministry

India's tiger fatalities surged by 50% in 2023, according to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The data was shared in Parliament, highlighting the concerning rise in tiger deaths. These fatalities have raised alarms among wildlife conservationists, who are now emphasizing the need for stronger measures to protect tigers.

Key Points:

• Rising Tiger Deaths:
  • 182 tigers died in 2023, compared to 121 in 2022, marking a 50% increase.
  • Over 75% of these deaths occurred in five states: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
    • Maharashtra had the highest fatalities with 46 deaths, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 43 deaths.
    • Uttarakhand had 21 deaths, and Tamil Nadu and Kerala also saw significant increases.
  • Government Efforts and Funding:
    • Government funding for anti-poaching and tiger conservation efforts saw significant increases, especially in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh:
      • Maharashtra's funding rose by 9% to ?4,303 lakh.
      • Madhya Pradesh saw a dramatic rise of 223%, with funds growing from ?809 lakh to ?2,614 lakh.
    • These funds are allocated to efforts such as anti-poaching, habitat management, eco-development, and village relocation.
  • Significant Increase in Deaths in Specific States:
    • Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand saw tiger fatalities increase by 400% and 250%, respectively, which far surpassed the national average of 50%.
    • Kerala and Uttar Pradesh both reported a 100% rise in fatalities.
    • Assam and Maharashtra reported increases of 67% and 64%, respectively.
  • Confirmed Causes of Death:
    • The exact cause of death was confirmed for only 14% of the total cases.
    • Poaching was identified as the leading cause of death, responsible for 12 fatalities.
    • Unnatural causes (e.g., accidents, injuries) caused 9 deaths, and seizures contributed to 4 fatalities.
    • Experts noted that most carcasses are discovered in advanced stages of decay, making it difficult to determine the precise cause of death.
  • Challenges in Tracking Tiger Deaths: The actual number of fatalities could be higher since tiger carcasses are often found in advanced decay, complicating cause determination.
    • Poaching remains a critical concern, as poachers often remove body parts of tigers for illegal trade, making it difficult for authorities to track the full extent of tiger deaths due to poaching.
  • Tiger Population in India: Despite the rise in deaths, India’s tiger population has grown by 10% annually between 2006 and 2022, with the most recent tiger census in 2022 estimating the population at 3,682.
    • However, experts caution that poaching remains a serious threat and could rapidly diminish tiger numbers if not carefully managed.