Tiger Conservation:Habitat in Himalayas

High Altitudes Himalayan Region comprising of tiger landscape in India, Nepal, and Bhutan could prove viable habitat and conservation unit for the beleaguered species. This has been pointed out in a report by NTCA or National Tiger Conservation Authority. Tigers have been found at 3600 MSL in Kedarnath in Sikkim at 3000 MSL and at 4000 MSL in Bhutan. This is encouraging for high-altitude areas to have fewer human footprints and fewer commercial activities due to the sheer scale of height. 

Tiger

While the presence of predators in the Indian part of the Eastern and Western Himalayas, Nepal, and Bhutan have been confirmed so far there might be several other pockets with the presence of these carnivores. Also what is not known is that the tiger presence noted in the high altitude region is that of resident animals or those who have moved in from other territories or have followed the livestock. 

According to Minister of Environment(MOEFCC) Mr. Prakash Javedkar, a masterplan is being initiated by the Government for the conservation of this critically endangered species at high altitudes mentioned here with the cooperation of the Government of Nepal and Bhutan. In such areas, big cats have been found in West Bengal Northern Areas, Uttrakhand, Sikkim, and the Arunachal Pradesh States of India.    

Tigers survive only in habitats with good cover and prey bases since they are ambush hunters. They have been found in dense forests, swampy mangroves, tall grasslands, and arid and semi-arid regions. 

A study led by GTF or Global Tiger Forum, WWF, and Integrated Tiger Conservation Program (IUCN) along with the Governments of India, Nepal, and Bhutan for appraisal of tigers' presence and prey densities is being initiated. With the involvement of neighboring countries, the conservation mechanism will change too perhaps auguring new monitoring and conservation paradigm. 

This masterplan would provide active conservation measures in the high altitude regions and may lead to the big cats finding homes in less inhabited and secluded areas. 

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Uday works as a naturalist in Kanha National Park in India.
He loves to blog/write on tiger conservation and the environment.
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
9755089323