Assam emerges as leading example in tiger conservation: CM Sarma
Guwahati, July 29
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said the state has emerged as one of India's leading examples in tiger conservation, crediting sustained anti-poaching operations, habitat protection, and the use of modern technology for the steady rise in the Royal Bengal Tiger population.
In a message marking International Tiger Day, the Chief Minister said Assam's conservation model has strengthened wildlife protection while ensuring the preservation of critical tiger habitats across the state's protected areas.
"On International Tiger Day, we celebrate the remarkable success of India's tiger conservation strategy, with Assam emerging as a stellar model of habitat management and wildlife protection," Sarma said in a post on X.
He said the state government's continued emphasis on curbing poaching, safeguarding wildlife corridors, and deploying technology-based surveillance systems has played a key role in improving the survival prospects of tigers and maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Sarma highlighted the significant improvement in the tiger population at the Nameri Tiger Reserve, describing it as one of the state's biggest conservation achievements in recent years. According to him, the reserve has witnessed a fourfold increase in its tiger numbers, rising from just three tigers to 12.
Calling the development a milestone in Assam's wildlife conservation efforts, the Chief Minister said it reflected the effectiveness of scientific management practices and coordinated protection measures implemented by the Forest Department.
He noted that Assam's major tiger reserves, Kaziranga, Manas, Orang, and Nameri, continue to provide safe and thriving habitats for the Royal Bengal Tiger, one of the country's flagship species.
The Chief Minister also reiterated the importance of conserving apex predators for maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity, urging continued public support for wildlife conservation initiatives.
"From Kaziranga and Manas to Orang and Nameri, our tiger reserves continue to stand as secure habitats for the Royal Bengal Tiger. Let us renew our collective commitment to protecting these magnificent animals and preserving the ecological balance of our forests," he said.
Assam is home to four notified tiger reserves. It has consistently strengthened conservation efforts through habitat restoration, enhanced patrolling, intelligence-based anti-poaching operations, and the adoption of technology-driven monitoring systems.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As a wildlife enthusiast from Guwahati, this makes me really proud. 💚 However, I hope the CM also focuses on human-animal conflict mitigation—many villages near Kaziranga face crop damage and even loss of life. Conservation isn't just about tigers; it's about people too.
Technology-based surveillance is the way forward. While anti-poaching operations have improved, we need to scale up smart patrolling in areas like Orang and Manas. Also, why no mention of the 2022 census figures? A fourfold increase is impressive, but readers deserve context on baseline population estimates.
As a foreigner who's visited Kaziranga twice, I can vouch for the incredible conservation work happening there. The rhino and tiger populations are astonishing. But I do hope the state government addresses plastic waste near eco-tourism zones—I saw quite a bit near Bagori. Small changes can make big impacts!
While I appreciate the progress, let's not be complacent. A fourfold increase from a very low base (3 to 12 tigers) is still a fragile success. Poaching syndicates are innovative, and Assam shares borders with problematic areas. The focus should be on sustainable funding for anti-poaching units and ensuring strict penalties for offenders. 🐯
I'm from Jorhat and have seen firsthand how tourism in Kaziranga benefits local communities. But the CM should also address deforestation issues in reserve forests—some areas near Nameri are still losing tree cover. Unless we protect the entire ecosystem, tiger numbers alone don't tell the full story. 🙏
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.