Tigers of the High Himalayas

[Rishi]

Bhutan’s tiger population shows steady increase

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The number of tigers is slowly growing in the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. New tiger photographs and pugmarks have emerged from different parts of the country, indicating an overall increase in their numbers.

The Royal Manas National Park, one of Bhutan’s oldest parks located in south central Bhutan, saw its tiger population double from 10 to 22 tigers, between 2010 and 2016. A total of 90 camera stations, each with two cameras were installed across 1,300 square kilometers in Manas. According to latest data analysis, the number had increased to 28 tigers in the park by 2018, based on the same camera that had been used for earlier surveys.

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Deputy chief forestry officer of the Royal Manas national park, Sithup Lhendup said that while it is difficult to ascertain whether the number of tigers has increased due to migration or new birth. However, from what has been observed so far, it is safe to say that around 50% is due to migration and the remaining half are new births. His team is carrying out an analysis on age structure and population dynamics which will give a clearer idea of how many tigers have migrated into Bhutan.

According to the World Wildlife Fund Bhutan, 12 transboundary tigers have been recorded in the Transboundary Manas Conservation Area in 2015 by cooperation with India, an increase from just four tigers in 2011, according to the latest report on tigers of Transboundary Manas Area.

Bhutan conducted its national tiger survey in 2014-15, which estimated 103 tigers. With the latest increase in their population, Bhutan is well poised to contribute to the global ambition of doubling tiger population by 2022.
Bhutan’s 12th five year plan and the Bhutan for Life Initiative have set an ambitious target to increase tiger population by 20% in the next five years.

Another big initiative for the conservation of tigers in Bhutan was the establishment of the National Tiger Center.

According to Tshering Tempa, program director of the National Tiger Center said, there are already at least 103 tigers in the country, but Bhutan’s forest could support between 200 to 250 tigers.

Sources:
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/2019/03/...in-bhutan/
https://nenow.in/neighbour/bhutans-tiger...years.html Reply