Govt flags priority intervention in 25 of 58 tiger reserves with low or absent tigers

📌 Summary:

• A new Environment Ministry report flags that ~25 of India's 58 tiger reserves have no, critically low, or declining tiger populations and need priority, science-led interventions
• The Centre released two reports — a roadmap for active tiger management and learnings from tiger reintroductions — to mark 18 years of reintroduction at Sariska (which now has 56 tigers after losing all its big cats to poaching/habitat loss in the mid-2000s)
• 25 reserves identified as "potential recipient sites"; some (Satkosia-Odisha, Kawal-Telangana, Dampa & Kamlang-Northeast, Buxa-WB) have zero tigers
• Recurring causes: low prey abundance (nearly every listed reserve), fragmented connectivity with source populations (Ranipur, Achanakmar, Kali, Mukundara Hills), and in Chhattisgarh/Jharkhand belt, Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) disrupting protection
• Of 12 reserves where reintroduction/supplementation via translocation occurred since 2008, outcomes "not always successful"; the failed Satkosia translocation showed community participation and consultation are essential
• Success factors stressed: prey-base augmentation, community participation, continuous monitoring
• Recovery depends on strong source populations: 13 reserves (Bandipur, Kanha, Ranthambore, Corbett) have good density/prey/habitat; Corbett alone holds ~260 tigers

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 (Environment) — in-situ conservation, Project Tiger, wildlife translocation science, habitat connectivity/corridors, and the conservation-community interface.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• India has 58 tiger reserves; Sariska was the first reserve to be repopulated via translocation (started 2008)
• Project Tiger launched 1973; tiger reserves notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act with NTCA oversight
• Zero-tiger reserves cited: Satkosia, Kawal, Dampa, Kamlang, Buxa
• Corbett holds ~260 tigers (among highest density in India)

🔑 Key Term: Source population — a robust, breeding tiger population in a high-quality habitat from which individuals disperse to repopulate or supplement weaker ("sink") reserves.