Report on Tiger Conservation and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Global Tiger Day and the Sustainable Development Agenda

International Tiger Day, observed annually on July 29, highlights the critical need to protect the endangered tiger species. The 2025 theme, “Harmonious Coexistence between Humans and Tigers,” directly addresses the intersection of wildlife preservation and human development. This report analyzes the challenges to tiger conservation and frames them within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating that the protection of this species is integral to achieving a sustainable future.

• The initiative, started by 13 tiger-range countries, underscores the importance of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) in tackling global environmental challenges.
• The theme of human-wildlife coexistence is central to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), promoting a balance between human settlements and natural ecosystems.

The State of the Tiger Population: A Global and National Perspective

Current Statistics and Declining Trends

The global tiger population has faced a catastrophic decline, with an estimated 95% of the population lost since the start of the 20th century. Current data presents a precarious situation that demands urgent action.

• Global Population: The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) estimates only 5,872 tigers remain in the wild.
• India’s Population: India is home to an estimated 3,682 tigers, representing approximately 63% of the global total. This positions India as a global leader in conservation efforts.

The Tiger as an “Umbrella Species” for SDG 15: Life on Land

The tiger is considered an “umbrella species,” meaning its protection indirectly secures a multitude of other species within its ecosystem. Conservation efforts, therefore, have a cascading positive effect on biodiversity.

• Protecting tiger habitats directly contributes to SDG Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
• Conserving this majestic animal helps preserve pristine ecosystems, aligning with the broader goals of SDG 15 to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

Key Challenges to Tiger Survival and SDG Alignment

Habitat Loss and Human Encroachment

The primary threat to tigers is the destruction and fragmentation of their natural habitats, which directly undermines progress on several SDGs.

1. Habitat Destruction: An estimated 93% of the tiger’s historical range has been lost to deforestation for agriculture, timber, and infrastructure development. This is a direct setback for SDG 15 (Life on Land).
2. Human-Wildlife Conflict: As habitats shrink, tigers are forced into closer proximity with human settlements, leading to conflict. This challenge highlights the need for integrated land-use planning as envisioned in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
3. Climate Change: Rising sea levels, particularly in ecosystems like the Sunderbans, threaten to wipe out entire tiger habitats, underscoring the link between tiger survival and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Wildlife Crime and Illicit Trade

Poaching and the illegal trade of tiger parts represent a significant challenge, linking conservation to global security and governance.

• Illicit Demand: A persistent demand for tiger parts, used in traditional medicine, fuels a violent and organized criminal network.
• Transnational Crime: Border regions, such as Manipur’s border with Myanmar, serve as strategic routes for wildlife trafficking, which is the third-largest global crime by volume.
• Undermining SDG 16: This illicit trade directly contravenes SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), particularly Target 16.4, which aims to significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows and combat all forms of organized crime.

Conservation Strategies and Contributions to Sustainable Development

National and International Collaborative Efforts

A multi-pronged approach involving national governments, international bodies, and local agencies is crucial for effective conservation. These efforts are a testament to the power of global partnerships.

• Project Tiger: Launched in 1973 by the Government of India, this initiative by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) focuses on habitat preservation, anti-poaching enforcement, and scientific monitoring. Its success in increasing the tiger population from 1,411 in 2006 to 3,682 in 2022 demonstrates effective national policy.
• Global Partnerships: The Global Tiger Forum and the Tx2 initiative (“Tigers times two”) exemplify the collaborative spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), uniting governments and organizations toward a common conservation objective.

A Holistic Approach for Sustainable Coexistence

Effective conservation cannot occur in isolation from the socio-economic realities of the communities living in and around tiger habitats. A holistic strategy is required.

• Integrated Development: A regional development approach that views tiger landscapes as a mosaic of different land uses—including conservation, forestry, and sustainable development—is essential. This aligns with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by creating sustainable livelihoods that do not harm the environment.
• Cross-Sectoral Cooperation: Success requires a cross-disciplinary approach that involves forestry, law enforcement, government agencies, and indigenous communities, reinforcing the principles of SDG 16 (Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships).

Conclusion and Recommendations

The survival of the tiger is a barometer for the health of our planet’s ecosystems and a critical test of our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. Protecting this iconic species requires a concerted effort that integrates conservation with sustainable development, justice, and international cooperation. The following actions are recommended:

1. Strengthen law enforcement and cross-border collaboration to combat wildlife crime, directly supporting SDG 16.
2. Implement integrated land-use planning to create buffer zones and corridors, mitigating human-wildlife conflict in line with SDG 11 and SDG 15.
3. Invest in sustainable, nature-based livelihoods for local communities to reduce dependency on activities that lead to habitat destruction, thereby advancing SDG 8.
4. Enhance global partnerships through data sharing and financial support for conservation programs, fulfilling the mandate of SDG 17.
5. Incorporate climate change adaptation strategies into the management of tiger reserves to build resilience against environmental shocks, addressing SDG 13.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The article’s central theme is the conservation of tigers, an endangered terrestrial species. It directly addresses the threats of habitat loss, biodiversity decline, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade, which are core components of SDG 15.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article highlights wildlife crime as the “global third largest crime” and discusses the need for effective enforcement and institutional frameworks like the “Project Tiger” and the “National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)” to combat this illicit activity.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The text explicitly mentions “climate change–rising sea levels of Sunderbans” as a direct threat that is “wiping out the tiger population,” linking conservation efforts to climate change impacts.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article describes multiple collaborative efforts, including the “Global Tiger Day initiated by 13 countries,” the “Global Tiger Forum” as an “intergovernmental alliance,” and domestic partnerships between central and state governments and various agencies under “Project Tiger.”

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article discusses habitat loss due to the creation of “living spaces” and “infrastructure.” It advocates for a “regional development approach” and “integrated land use planning” to balance conservation with socio-economic needs, which relates to sustainable planning.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The text points to the “illicit demand for bones and other body parts of tiger for use in traditional Chinese medicine” as a driver of poaching. This addresses unsustainable consumption patterns that fuel the illegal wildlife trade.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

SDG 15: Life on Land

1. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
   • The article is entirely focused on this target, detailing the endangerment of tigers, the “alarming 95% of the tiger population” that got extinct, and the conservation efforts to protect them.
2. Target 15.7: Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products.
   • The article explicitly identifies “poaching and illegal trade of tigers” and “wildlife crime” as major reasons for the decline in tiger populations, directly aligning with this target.
3. Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts.
   • The call for a “regional development approach,” “integrated land use planning,” and viewing conservation as part of a “mosaic of different land use patterns” reflects the need to integrate biodiversity into broader planning.
4. Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
   • The article states that a major challenge is “habitat loss – humans have cut down their natural habitats – forest areas,” directly addressing the issue of deforestation.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.
   • The article identifies “wildlife crime” as the “global third largest crime next to drugs and arms,” linking it directly to organized crime that this target aims to combat.

SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • By identifying climate change as a direct threat to tiger habitats (“rising sea levels of Sunderbans”), the article implies the need to integrate climate adaptation measures into conservation planning and national policies.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • The article describes the “Project Tiger” as a collaborative effort involving the “Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change,” “state governments,” and other agencies like “Forest, Police and other agencies.”

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicators for SDG 15 (Life on Land)

• Global tiger population: The article states there are “only 5872 tigers left” globally.
• National tiger population: India’s tiger population is reported as “3682 tigers.”
• Rate of population decline: An “alarming 95% of the tiger population got extinct since the beginning of the 20th century.”
• Rate of habitat loss: A “loss of 93% tiger’s natural habitat” is mentioned.
• Area under protection: Conservation efforts in India cover “58 tiger reserves across 18 states covering 2.3% of India’s total land area.”
• Trends in population: The article provides historical data, showing a decline from “3642 in 1990 to just over 1411 in 2006” and a recovery to “3682 in 2022.”

Indicators for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

• Scale of organized crime: The article implies the severity of the issue by stating “wildlife crime is the global third largest crime next to drugs and arms in terms of volume and number.”

Indicators for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

• Number of international partners: “Global Tiger Day initiated by 13 countries across the world.”
• Existence of intergovernmental bodies: The “Global Tiger Forum is the only intergovernmental alliance dedicated exclusively to the conservation of wild tigers.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: ukhrultimes.com