Dehradun: The tiger population in Uttarakhand has experienced an impressive surge of 314% between 2006 and 2022, reaching a total of 560 tigers in 2022, a significant increase from the 178 recorded in 2006. Uttarakhand Chief Wildlife Warden Samir Sinha proudly asserted that the state now boasts one of the highest tiger population densities in the world. He attributed this remarkable growth to the dedicated efforts of the forest department, particularly in improving the habitat conditions for these majestic creatures.
However, alongside the positive news of the rising tiger population, there was a slight increase in the number of human casualties and injuries resulting from tiger attacks in 2023. According to Sinha, 17 fatalities and nine injuries were reported in the encounters with tigers during the year. In 2022, there were 16 deaths and 10 injuries, and in 2021, two persons lost their lives in such incidents.
Expanding the scope beyond tiger-related incidents, Sinha provided insights into encounters with various wildlife species in Uttarakhand. In 2023, a total of 66 individuals lost their lives in such encounters, involving animals like leopards, elephants, snakes, and tigers. Additionally, 317 people sustained injuries during these man-animal conflicts. Comparatively, there were 82 deaths and 325 injuries in 2022, and 71 deaths and 361 injuries in 2021.
While celebrating the conservation success in bolstering the tiger population, the state also grapples with the challenges of mitigating human-wildlife conflicts, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to strike a balance between wildlife conservation and human safety.
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