Project Tiger is a tiger conservation programme launched on 1 April, 1973 by the Government of India. The main objective of this project was to ensure protection of Bengal tigers in their natural habitats. The project aimed to combat various factors that led to decline in the population of tigers like poaching, loss of habitat. increasing human population and depletion of prey. The tiger reserves covering a total area of 37, 761 sq km was established as a habitat and environment for the tigers. The tiger population was seen as the heritage of our country. The project authorities took measures to mitigate human intervention in the areas of tiger reserves. The project has core-buffer strategy with buffer area having no human activity. The livestock grazing in these tiger reserves has been curbed thereby reducing the competition for food. This resulted into increased number of prey species and this increased food opportunities have resulted in tiger population increase. However, there were certain shortcomings of this project. In 2006, the Indian government passed a Forest Rights Act which recognizes the rights of some forest dwelling communities in forest areas. This gives an opportunity for tiger poaching. The project tiger committee merely formed an advisory group which lacked staff at the grassroot level. The implementation of the rules. regulations and plans were not up to the mark. The local communities and the forest dwellers were not involved in this project.
