Fragmentation of India’s Tiger Habitats

Published on 04 Apr 2025

Habitat fragmentation occurs when large, continuous habitats are divided into smaller, isolated patches due to human activities such as agriculture, infrastructure development, and urbanization. This process can have detrimental effects on wildlife populations, including tigers.

Key factors contributing to the fragmentation of tiger habitats in India

• Human settlements and Agriculture: The expansion of human settlements and agricultural activities often invade natural habitats, causing habitat fragmentation.

• Example: High-frequency human-tiger interactions in Sundarbans.

• Illegal Activities: Illegal activities like poaching, logging and encroachment exacerbate habitat degradation and fragmentation

• Example: Madhya Pradesh is emerging as a new hotspot for poachers, accounting for more than 90 of the deaths between 2021 and April 2023.

• Infrastructure Development: The construction of roads, and railways leads to fragmentation of tiger habitats and creates barriers that prevent the movement of animals.

• Example: Rapid infrastructure development in Arunachal Pradesh is a threat that leads to the extinction of tigers in that area encompassing Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary and tiger reserves- Kamlang and Namdapha.

• Mining Operations: Extraction of minerals and resources can result in habitat destruction and fragmentation.

• Example: Sand mining activities on river Banas are a constant threat to the only existing corridor between Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary and Ranthambore National Park.

• Climate Change: It results in the increasing intensity of forest fires, reducing vegetation and degrading natural habitats, forcing the wildlife to move out and come into conflict with humans.

• Example: The big cat population came down substantially in the Western Ghats where 824 tigers were recorded in 2022 against 981 in 2018.

Way Forward

• Wildlife Corridor Conservation: Identify, preserve and restore wildlife corridors that facilitate tiger movement between fragmented habitats.

• Example: Rajasthan proposal for a tiger corridor connecting Ranthambore, Ramgarh, Vishdhari and Mukundra.

• Infrastructure and Eco-friendly Design: Building natural underpasses and overpasses to allow animals to safely crossroads and railways.

• Community-Based Conservation: Involving communities in sustainable resource management practices, raise awareness of the importance of tiger habitats.

• Example: In Myanmar, the Karen Wildlife Conservation Initiative (KWCI) is working to protect the tigers living in the Dawna-Karen Hills.

Public Awareness and Education: Education and information programs can receive support for habitat protection.

Tags:
Environment

Keywords:
Tiger habitat Biodiversity Tiger reserves Habitat

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Environment and Climate Change