Mangaluru: Conservation zoologist and tiger expert Dr K Ullas Karanth said that although India comprises just 2.2% of the world’s land area, it harbours 7.7% of the mammal species, 13% of the bird species, and 24% of the carnivorous species.
“This incredible biodiversity, resulting from continental drift and various evolutionary factors, was on the brink of collapse in the 1960s due to widespread hunting and rampant timber logging. The imminent disaster was averted only through the timely intervention of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who launched Project Tiger and enforced stringent laws,” he said. Delivering a special talk on ‘Saving Wildlife in Changing India’ organised by the Mangaluru chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) at the Kodialguthu Centre for Art and Culture, on Wednesday, Dr Karanth said wildlife conservation gained traction due to the political support from Indira Gandhi, a few central and state ministers, and some sincere forest department officers who went beyond the call of duty.
During this period, a new generation of wildlife enthusiasts and independent researchers, including himself, began substantial groundwork. “Despite these efforts, only about 10% of the land serves as wildlife habitat, with approximately 4% designated as protected areas. Most of the growth in wildlife population occurs in these protected spaces,” he noted.
Dr Karanth attributed the success of conservation efforts to the country’s species-centred approach . “Wildlife conservation is not solely about a particular animal but about preserving entire ecosystems comprising predators, prey species, and other flora and fauna. By adopting a species-centred approach, such as Project Tiger or Project Elephant, public attention could be focused on these charismatic animals rooted in local culture, thus generating the social momentum needed to support large-scale conservation efforts,” he explained.
“Although we celebrate having over 3,000 tigers in the wild today, this number is too low considering the four-decade-long effort. If focused scientific methods are extended beyond protected areas, the country has the capacity to sustain a healthy tiger population of 15,000,” he said. Dr Karanth emphasised that while trophy hunting, commercial hunting, and hunting for food were the main threats to wildlife in the past, today, there is widespread appreciation for wildlife conservation even at the village level, with people contacting forest officials whenever there is a problem.
However, the lucrative wildlife trade remains a threat. “Finding sustainable energy solutions is crucial for future nature conservation,” he said. We also published the following articles recently The Impact of Responsible Tourism on Tiger Conservation Responsible tourism played a crucial role in tiger conservation by raising awareness, generating funds, and empowering local communities.
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