Restore Wild Tiger Habitats
Restore Wild Tiger Habitats
Wild tiger numbers in Bandhavgarh have increased dramatically over the last 10 years. To sustain this growth, adequate habitat to support a prey base for a growing tiger population and provide territory for tiger dispersal is urgently needed. We have been given approval to restore 250 acres of vital tiger habitat which has been destroyed by fire, illegal logging and encroachment activities in Bandhavgarh. The two sites will link areas of forest together to form corridors for wildlife to disperse and form new territories, planting 100,000 trees and acres of elephant-friendly grasses. The initial phase of the project is underway, and we’ll work with the Forest Department and village Eco-Development Committees – empowering, educating & inspiring them to become guardians of their forests and wildlife.
The Importance of Intact Forest Habitat and Tiger Corridors for Wild Tiger Conservation
India is home to approximately 75% of the world’s wild tiger population, making it a global stronghold for tiger conservation. The survival of these majestic apex predators is intricately linked to the health of their habitats, which are primarily intact forests and the connectivity between these forests via tiger corridors. These habitats not only support tigers but also provide vital ecosystems which benefit millions of other animals and people.
Intact Forest Habitat is The Foundation of Tiger Survival
Intact forest habitats are essential for sustaining viable tiger populations because tigers need space not only to exist but to ensure sufficient prey exists to support a growing population. These forests:
- Provide cover for Tiger hunting and breeding.
- Support abundant prey species such as deer, wild boar and Nilgai (Blue bulls).
- Maintain the ecological balance by regulating herbivore populations through predation, without which overgrazing and over browsing would cause devastating damage to the habitat.
Climate Resilience
Intact forests act as natural buffers against climate change by:
- Regulating temperature and rainfall.
- Conserving water sources.
- Sequestering carbon to reduce the effects of global warming.
Loss of forest cover can lead to reduced river flows and seasonal water shortages, affecting both the wildlife and human communities.
Threats to Habitat Integrity
Bandhavgarh’s and indeed India’s forests face increasing pressure from:
- Agricultural expansion.
- Infrastructure development.
- Urbanisation and deforestation.
These activities fragment tiger habitats, isolating populations and reducing genetic diversity, which increases the risk of local extinction of not just wild tigers but other rare species like pangolins, wild elephants, leopards, Gaur (Indian bison), etc.
Tiger Corridors are the Lifelines of Connectivity Between Intact Forests
What Are Tiger Corridors? Tiger corridors are stretches of forested land that connect isolated tiger habitats. Our new forest rehabilitation project at Sarmania will create a new Tiger Corridor to enable safe movement of wild tigers and their prey between two areas of Bandhavgarh forest, which have become separated by years of deforestation. They:
- Allow Tigers to disperse to new territories and gain access to an increased prey base and water resources.
- Enable wild Tigers to find mates and maintain genetic diversity in the population.
- Corridors allow tigers to move between habitats, maintaining genetic diversity and reducing both Tiger-Tiger and Human-Wildlife conflict, which could otherwise result in their deaths.
- They support entire ecosystems, benefiting biodiversity and local communities.
Benefits of Corridors
- Prevents inbreeding and associated health issues associated with a lack of diversity in the gene pool.
- Enables recolonisation of areas where tigers were previously locally extinct.
- Facilitates movement of other species, enhancing biodiversity in neighbouring forests too.
TO GIVE WILD TIGERS A WILD FUTURE
India’s Tiger forests have been lost/are declining at an alarming rate over the last 10 years despite the increase in wild tiger numbers. These forests are vital for the survival of tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bear, dhole, gaur & critically endangered pangolin. Around 5.68 million people depend on the Bandhavgarh Ecosystem for crucial ecological services. Without increased forest habitat, human-wildlife conflict will increase as wild tigers disperse in search of food and territory.
Replanting damaged forests restores lost habitat, and engages local people in protecting the ecosystem in the future. We will set up organic tree nurseries and forestry centres near degraded forest areas, and provide reforestation training for communities. This project focuses on rehabilitating degraded land within the Bandhavgarh National Park core and buffer forests by planting hundreds of thousands of tree seedlings.
Long Term IMpact
With fewer than 5,500 left in the wild tigers are endangered and could become extinct if we don’t act now to save them. Their habitat is being lost at an alarming rate. As well as restoring damaged land, this project will bring environmental awareness, education and training to local indigenous communities, who will then become the future guardians of the forests.
