A recent scientific study published by Aaranyak has revealed a remarkable three-fold increase in the tiger population within Manas National Park, Assam, following years of concerted conservation efforts. This resurgence comes after a challenging period marked by armed conflict and disruption within the region, underscoring the resilience of the park’s wildlife under enhanced management by the Forest Department, local communities, and conservation organisations.
The study attributes the tiger population’s recovery to increased funding, upgraded infrastructure, and additional staffing, which have all contributed to strengthened park security and protection measures. Between 2011 and 2019, the density of tigers within Manas National Park more than tripled, highlighting the significant impact of coordinated conservation efforts. Tourism revenue has further bolstered the park’s management budget, enabling continued investment in conservation initiatives. These findings affirm that collaborative action among local communities, government bodies, and conservation agencies is vital for the successful recovery of wildlife populations, particularly in areas recovering from conflict.
Despite the significant strides made, challenges such as poaching and habitat encroachment persist. As the tiger population grows, it becomes imperative to maintain effective management practices, as tigers near the park’s carrying capacity. The study, published in the Journal of Biological Conservation, was led by Dipankar Lahkar of Aaranyak and included contributions from respected experts and researchers, including M. Firoz Ahmed, Head of Aaranyak’s Tiger Research and Conservation Division, and Anindya Swargowari, former Park Manager at Manas Tiger Reserve.
Aaranyak’s team lead, M. Firoz Ahmed, highlighted that Manas National Park plays an essential role within the larger Transboundary Manas Conservation Area (TraMCA), which encompasses Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. Together, these interconnected landscapes form a critical habitat for biodiversity, with the extensive forests of the Indo-Bhutan region serving as a foundation for Manas’s tiger population resurgence. This post-conflict recovery is a significant conservation success story, as the Indo-Bhutan transboundary forest has offered tigers a safe and abundant space to thrive.
The conservation achievements at Manas have also benefitted from collaborations beyond national borders. Anindya Swargowari, a former Park Manager and retired IFS officer, noted that the progress seen in Manas is a testament to the power of collective conservation efforts, drawing on the cooperation of government entities, local communities, and international conservation groups. Swargowari emphasised that successful conservation requires the involvement of diverse groups, including paramilitary forces, police, civil society organisations, and grassroots initiatives, each contributing towards a unified goal of wildlife protection.
Hiranya Kumar Sarma, who served as the Field Director of Manas from 2015 to 2019, described witnessing a considerable rise in tiger numbers during his tenure, attributing it to a comprehensive approach to park management. This approach ensured that young cubs grew into fully mature tigers, establishing territories within Manas and contributing to the overall population increase.
From 2015 to 2022, and continuing into the present, Aaranyak, alongside support from organisations such as IUCN-KfW, Panthera, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, invested significant resources to help decrease local dependence on the park’s natural resources. Through this initiative, Aaranyak trained park staff in advanced patrol techniques and supported communities in adopting alternative, sustainable livelihoods. Over the past decade, this collaborative approach has resulted in reduced human entry into the park, as many families achieved self-sufficiency through locally-based income sources.
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According to the study, the adult tiger density in Manas National Park has surged from 1.06 tigers per 100 square kilometres in 2011-12 to 3.64 by 2018-19, with projections suggesting the population could potentially reach a density of 8.0 or higher. If these conservation measures remain in place, the tiger population is likely to double by 2030. In 2021 alone, camera traps captured images of 44 adult tigers within the park, affirming this upward trend.
As the tiger population grows, so does the potential for human-wildlife conflict, particularly with livestock in nearby communities. To mitigate these challenges, local communities, in cooperation with park authorities, are encouraged to construct tiger-proof and leopard-proof cattle sheds using low-cost, locally sourced materials.
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