Conservation Projects

Conservation Projects

Jim Corbett National Park


Corbett is the site for three nationwide conservation projects aimed at saving prominent endangered species from extinction and providing a safe habitat for them. These are:

Project Tiger

The population of tigers in India suffered a heavy decline in the post-Independence period. The main reasons were:

  • Diversion of forest land to make way for developmental activities like irrigation, hydroelectric projects, road/rail construction etc.
  • The degradation and fragmentation of wildlife habitat under growing human needs for fuel, fodder and extraction of non-timber forest products.
  • Sport hunting and poaching of tigers for trophies.

Objectives

Project Tiger was launched with the following main objectives:

  • To ensure maintenance of a viable population of tiger in India for scientific, economic, aesthetics cultural and ecological values.
  • To preserve, for all times, the areas of such biological importance as a national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people.

History

Project Tiger was launched from CorbettIn 1972 the tiger population shrunk to an all-time low of 1,800, which drew the attention of the Government to take urgent measures to conserve tigeINR
After the introduction of the Wildlife (Protection) Act in 1972, a special conservation programme focussed on tiger protection was mooted. This was called Project Tiger.
Project Tiger was launched on 1st April 1973 from Dhikala in Corbett National Park with the announcement of 9 tiger reserves (including Corbett) including 268 tigeINR
Subsequently, more protected areas were brought under the umbrella of Project Tiger and tiger population in India visibly improved. It was estimated at over 8,500 according to the 1989 census.
However, the 1993 census showed that there was a decline in numbers with the total standing at 3,750 tigeINR The overall population in tiger reserves was relatively stable but there was a marked fall in population that existed outside these reserves. One of the main reasons for this was an increase in international illegal trafficking of tiger parts, especially bones that are used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine systems.
Over the years more areas were brought under Project Tiger and declared as tiger reserves. Today there are 27 declared tiger reserves covering more than 37,700 km2. Several more are proposed to be added to the list.

Organisation

Project Tiger is governed by the Government of India as Directorate of Project Tiger under the Ministry of Environment and Forests. It is headed by Director (rank of Chief Conservator of Forests). The Director supervises and monitors the management of Tiger Reserves and provides financial assistance of to various state governments. Tiger Reserves are under the administrative control of State governments.

  • Each Tiger Reserve is managed by a Field Director (rank of Conservator of Forests).
  • The Field Director reports to the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State, and is assisted by Deputy Director(s) and the usual field staff.
  • The States receive 100% financial assistance for non- recurring items and 50% of financial assistance for approved recurring items.

Crocodile Conservation Project Gharial were reintroduced in Ramganga
Conservation Projects, Jim Corbett National Park The Crocodile Conservation Project was launched in 1976.
The main aim of the project was to save India’s three endangered crocodilian species, namely the freshwater crocodile, the saltwater crocodile and the gharial.
This involved intervention measures like:

  • Captive breeding of species
  • Collection of eggs from natural habitat, subsequent hatching and rearing of crocodiles/gharials in captivity to reduce mortality due to natural predators and finally released into the wild.
  • The Gharial Rehabilitation Project formed a subunit of the umbrella Crocodile Conservation Project. This focussed on gharial, which had come very close to extinction in 1974.
  • As part of the Gharial Rehabilitation Project, more than 250 gharials were released in the Ramganga river in Corbett National Park between 1982 and 1994.

Project Elephant

Conservation Projects, Jim Corbett National Park Project Elephant was launched in 1991-92 to assist states having ranging populations of wild elephants to ensure long term survival of identified viable population of elephants in their natural habitats.
States are being given financial as well as technical and scientific assistance in achieving the objectives of the project.

Objectives

The main objectives of Project Elephant are:

  • Ecological restoration of existing natural habitats and elephant migration routes;
  • Development of scientific and planned management for conservation of elephant habitats and viable population of wild Asiatic elephants in India;
  • Promotion of measures for mitigation of man elephant conflict in crucial habitats and moderating pressures of human and domestic stock activities in crucial elephant habitats;
  • Strengthening of measures for protection of Wild elephants form poachers and unnatural causes of death;
  • Research on Project Elephant management related issues;
  • Public education and awareness programmes;
  • Eco-development.
  • Veterinary care.

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