The Associated Press reported that India's tiger population has doubled in the last ten years. According to estimates by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the number of these predators increased from 1,706 in 2010 to 3,682 in 2022.
Approximately 75% of the world's population of these cats live in India. The growth in the number of these predators brings economic benefits to the country: ecotourism is developing near tiger habitats, and local communities receive a source of income.
According to a study published in the journal Science, tigers in India inhabit an area of about 138,200 square kilometers. However, only 25% of this area is rich in prey and is protected. The article notes that tigers have disappeared from some areas remote from national parks and reserves. About 45% of tiger habitats are shared with humans.
The study says that India is quite successful in protecting tigers from poaching and habitat loss. The country pays attention to reducing conflicts between predators and people, as well as providing tigers with enough prey.
The Associated Press reports that wildlife advocates and ecologists welcome the results of the study. At the same time, they note that the work is based on data collected by institutions supported by the country's government. According to ecologists, if the source data became available to a wider group of scientists, it would bring even more benefits to the animals.
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