GOVERNMENT TO DEVELOP A MASTER PLAN FOR TIGERS AT HIGH ALTITUDE
06, Sep 2019

Prelims level : Environment- Biodiversity
Mains level : GS-III Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation
Why in News?
- Union Environment Ministry released a report on Status of Tiger Habitats in high altitude Ecosystems.
Highlights:
- The study is led by the Global Tiger Forum (GTF), with range country governments of Bhutan, India and Nepal, along with WWF.
- It has been supported by the Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHPC) of the IUCN.
- This provides the action strategy for a high-altitude tiger master plan, with gainful portfolio for local communities.
- It ensures centrality of tiger conservation in development, through an effective coordination mechanism, involving stakeholders and line departments operating within the landscape.
Why Such Report?
- Various studies reveal that even ecology at high altitude is compatible for the tiger growth.
- The habitat of tiger of varied, encompassing several biomes and ecological conditions.
- However, most of the high-altitude habitats, within the range have not been surveyed for an appraisal of tiger presence, prey and habitat status.
- Tiger habitats in high altitude require protection through sustainable land use, as they are a high value ecosystem with several hydrological and ecological processes providing ecosystem services.
- Several high-altitude habitats in South Asia have the spatial presence of tiger, active in-situ efforts are called for ensuring their conservation.
Global Tiger Forum:
- The GTF was formed in 1993 on recommendations from an international symposium on Tiger Conservation at New Delhi, India.
- The GTF is the only intergovernmental international body established with members from willing countries to embark on a global campaign to protect the Tiger.
- Utilizing co-operative policies, common approaches, technical expertise, scientific modules and other appropriate programmes and controls the GTF is focused on saving the remaining 5 sub-species of Tigers distributed over 13 Tiger Range countries of the world.