Wild tiger numbers increase globally: Global Tiger Recovery Program 2.0 launched to strengthen tiger governance across tiger range countries, while the first tiger reserve of South East Asia is declared in Malaysia.
Wild tiger numbers have registered an overall increase in several tiger range countries (almost 5574). The status is optimal in tiger range countries of South Asia, with India and Nepal having doubled their tiger numbers (Tx2) since the St. Petersburg Declaration in 2010, and tiger status in Bangladesh and Bhutan remains stable and increasing.
“The decadal experience of Global Tiger Recovery Program implementation in tiger range countries has amply highlighted ‘what works?’ and ‘what doesn’t?’” commented Rajesh Gopal, Secretary General, Global Tiger Forum. “Tiger range countries continue to work hard and some have done remarkably well in achieving the Tx2 goal. The commitment from others is encouraging. The battle is far from won, and the Global Tiger Forum is committed to work closely with all tiger range countries and like-minded organizations to strengthen the recovery path of wild tigers.”
The wild tiger situation in South East Asia is largely sub-optimal with Lao PDR, Vietnam, and Cambodia facing local extinction. Russia has shown increase in tiger population, while China is restoring the status in some pockets.
“The improved wild tiger status in quite a few tiger range countries bears adequate testimony to invigorated systems of governance on the tiger front,” said H.S. Negi, Senior Advisor, Global Tiger Forum. “I compliment one and all for their hard work. The endangered wild tiger requires several special actions to address tiger range country specific challenges, as provided for in Global Tiger Recovery Program 2.0. I am confident of a secured future for wild tigers across its range.”
International Tiger Day on July 29, 2023 brought some good news on the wild tiger front. Bhutan and India have released their latest tiger numbers. Malaysia has launched the first ‘tiger reserve’ in South East Asia. Named as the Al-Sultan Abdullah Tiger Reserve, the reserve will further strengthen wild tiger conservation in the state of Pahang.
“The declaration of Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve, Pahang by His Royal Highness the King of Malaysia is a great milestone as the first tiger reserve designated in Malaysia that will contribute immensely towards securing the Malayan tiger population and habitat as envisaged in the Global Tiger Recovery Plan and the SEA Tiger Recovery Plan,” said Sivananthan Elagupillay, Hononorary Member GTF and ex-Malaysian Government Wildlife Officer.
“The designation of Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve in Pahang demonstrates the further strengthening of the governance in Malaysia which is crucial to save the Malayan tiger and many other endangered species,” said Hazril Rafhan Bin Abdul Halim, Focal Tiger Officer/Senior Assistant Director, Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP/PERHILITAN).
| # | Tiger Range Countries (TRC) | Estimated tiger numbers (as on April 2016) | Estimated tiger numbers (as on July 2023) |
| 1 | Bangladesh | 106 | 114 |
| 2 | Bhutan | 103 | 131 |
| 3 | Cambodia | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | China | >7 | >60 |
| 5 | India | 2226 | 3682 |
| 6 | Indonesia | 371 | 393 |
| 7 | Lao PDR | 2 | 0 |
| 8 | Malaysia | 250 | 150 |
| 9 | Myanmar | Data not available | 28 |
| 10 | Nepal | 198 | 355 |
| 11 | Russia | 433 | 500 |
| 12 | Thailand | 189 | 161 (148-189) |
| 13 | Vietnam | <5 | 0 |
| Total | 3890 | 5574 |
The global status as above has been updated by tiger range countries, while providing their inputs to the new version of Global Tiger Recovery Program 2.0.
Global Tiger Recovery Program 2.0 has been firmed up by tiger range countries through the intergovernmental platform of the Global Tiger Forum along with collaborators like the WWF. It has dispassionately reviewed the decadal experience of tiger range countries in implementing the earlier version of Global Tiger Recovery Program, while focusing on improving the wild tiger governance. The new version has retained several ongoing archetypal actions along with new ones for a differentiated approach to save the endangered wild tigers.
The wild tiger is a multidimensional indicator for biodiversity and human society well-being.
“The Global Tiger Recovery Program 2.0 emphasizes on strengthening tiger governance, enhancing resources and protection, while addressing contemporary challenges like Human-Wildlife Conflict,” commented
Mohnish Kapoor, Head of Programme and Partnerships, Global Tiger Forum. “The new tiger reserve in Malaysia is a great step in securing recovery of Malayan tiger as the country continues to implement its priority actions for saving the iconic species.”
