Tigers of the High Himalayas

[Rishi]

Tigers present in high altitudes in four Indian states: NTCA report
India has been conducting studies on Himalayan tigers to form long term conservation master plan.
INDIA Updated: Sep 04, 2019 05:57 IST

Bhutan tigers spilling to adjoining Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal & Arunachal Pradesh.

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The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has confirmed the presence of tigers in high-altitude areas of Sikkim, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh in a study submitted to the environment ministry.
Camera trapping has shown tiger presence in Kedarnath at about 3,600 metres above sea level. In Sikkim also their presence has been confirmed at about 3,300 metres above sea level.

“We now have concrete evidence that tigers are present in high altitude areas of all four states. The study was to understand tiger presence in high altitude regions of Nepal, Bhutan and India. In all three regions tigers are there in the higher reaches. We are not sure if they reside there or are moving from other places. That will be verified in the second part of our study,” said Nishant Verma,deputy inspector general, NTCA and nodal officer of the project.

The team has studied secondary data, conducted interviews with local people and used camera traps to ascertain tiger presence.

Going by initial reports that tigers are present in high-altitude regions of Sikkim, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), environment minister Prakash Javedekar, on Tuesday, said the government is working on a master plan based on the new findings.

“The instant situation analysis study provides the rationale for stepping up high altitude conservation of the tiger, while identifying possible viable habitats, corridor linkages, anthropogenic pressures, and induced landscape level changes for evolving an in-situ conservation roadmap,” the statement from MoEFCC said.
The MoEFCC also recognised the gaps in understanding tiger populations in high-altitude regions. “Most of the high-altitude habitats, within the range have not been surveyed for an appraisal of tiger presence, prey, and habitat status. Hence, it becomes important to embark on a said appraisal, involving mapping of the habitat and carrying out a situation analysis for a future roadmap,” read the statement, adding that tiger habitats in high altitude require protection through sustainable land use.

The study is led by the Global Tiger Forum with range country governments of Bhutan, India and Nepal.
“This provides the action strategy for a high altitude tiger master plan, with gainful portfolio for local communities and ensuring centrality of tiger conservation in development, trough an effective coordination mechanism, involving stakeholders and line departments operating within the landscape,” was stateed by Global Tiger Forum.


Sources:
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-new...T1arO.html
https://www.iamatigeradvocate.org/conser...altitudes/
https://weather.com/en-IN/india/news/new...-mountains Reply