Ranthambore National Park a part of Rajasthan’s Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve is home to more than 60 tigers. The population was around 350 in 2010. However, there has been a steady decline in the number of tigers since 2008. The main reason behind this decrease in population is illegal poaching and increased instances of tiger deaths due to injuries sustained by territorial fights with other male tigers.
Over the last few decades, India has witnessed a series of unfortunate events that have resulted in the Royal Bengal Tiger’s slow but untimely demise. Between 1821 and 1828, in what was known as the erstwhile Bombay Presidency in western India, 1053 Tigers were killed in order to claim rewards offered by the administration. Similarly, 349 tigers were slaughtered in India’s Central Provinces over a six-month period in 1864. In 1877, 1579 tigers were slaughtered in British territories in India, excluding Indian states. The main, if not the only, cause of India’s dwindling tiger population was a large-scale slaughter.
Some of the major causes of the decline in tiger population were:
- Habitat Loss: We continue to encroach on territory that is rightfully theirs in order to meet development goals. Cutting forests to build highways, extending the agricultural boundary further into the jungle, and illegally collecting timber are just a few of the major reasons we’re losing the world’s largest cat.
- Prey species extinction: Human population growth, particularly since the 1940s, has reduced and fragmented the tiger’s former range. Although extensive habitat exists in some landscapes, agriculture, forest clearing for development – particularly road networks – and hydroelectric projects are forcing tigers into small and scattered islands of remaining habitat. Tigers require larger territories, and in addition to habitat loss, they have suffered a significant loss of natural prey populations, particularly ungulates such as deer and antelopes.
- Hunting, illegal trade, and poaching: Tigers have been hunted for over a thousand years as a status symbol, decorative items such as wall and floor coverings, souvenirs and curios, and for use in traditional Asian medicines. Tigers were valued as trophies and as a source of skins for costly coats. Hunting for sport was most likely responsible for the greatest decline in tiger populations until the 1930s.
We have to reserve them and for this, we should maintain the privacy and rules of parks. To enjoy the trip, you should do Ranthambore online safari booking in advance.
