Tiger Population Triples in Assam's Manas National Park: A Conservation Triumph
New research shows that the number of tigers in Assam's Manas National Park has remarkably increased, with three times as many as there were between 2011 and 2019. Wildlife conservationists are very happy about this because the park has been steadily recovering since it was damaged by armed conflict. This is because of better conservation efforts and the work of many partners.
The study, which was led by Aaranyak, a well-known wildlife protection group, is positive about the future of the tigers in the park. The report, which was released in the Journal of Biological Conservation, talks about how more money, better infrastructure for protection, and a bigger staff all worked together to make tiger populations much higher. In fact, there were 3.64 tigers for every 100 square kilometres in 2019, up from 1.06 in 2011. Tigers could live in the park in groups of eight or more by 2030, as long as protection efforts are successful.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Manas National Park has always been home to a wide range of animals. However, during times of unrest and armed conflict in the area, the park's tiger population suffered major losses. Poaching, habitat loss, and a lack of funding for good management kept the park from fully recovering for years. Things have changed for the better in a big way over the last ten years.
In order to help the recovery, more money has been given to conservation efforts, which has led to improvements in the park's facilities and management teams. The extra money has not only helped protect the tigers better, but it has also made tracking systems better. For example, camera traps are now used to keep track of and record sightings of tigers. In fact, photographs taken in the park by 2021 showed that there were 44 grown tigers there.
It's especially good news that ecotourism has helped the tiger population rebound. Tourism has brought in money to help pay for conservation efforts, so it will continue to help protect the park in the future. The people who live nearby have also been very important. They gain from and help with conservation efforts, which makes sure that the park stays a great resource for everyone.
The study stresses that there are still problems, even though there has been improvement. The tiger population is still in danger from poaching and habitat loss, and as the number of tigers grows, so does the stress on the park's environment. Tiger populations are getting close to their carrying capacity, so they will need to be carefully managed for a long time to make sure that these beautiful animals can survive and grow in the wild.
You can see what can be done when local governments, environmental groups, and government agencies work together by looking at how well Manas National Park has done. It proves that recovery is possible, even in places where there was strife, and that spending money on conservation can pay off in a big way. It's clear that Manas could soon have one of the best tiger numbers in the country if people keep working hard and investing money.
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