Towards a Future with 15,000 Tigers: Dr. Ullas Karanth's Vision for Tiger Conservation

Dr. Ullas Karanth emphasizes India's potential to expand its tiger population to 15,000 from the current 3,000. Speaking at an INTACH event, he highlighted the need for policy-driven habitat protection, sustainable landscapes, and responsible wildlife tourism to counteract pressures from human activity and agriculture.

Dr. Ullas Karanth, a prominent tiger researcher and conservationist, called for India to enhance its tiger ecosystem to support a population of 15,000 big cats, up from the current population of 3,000.

Speaking at a special lecture organized by the Indian National Trust for Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Karanth criticized the country's current tiger population growth rate of just 1 percent, deeming it insufficient given India's resources and forest management infrastructure.

He underscored the importance of policy initiatives such as habitat protection, the revival of degenerated tiger habitats, sustainable landscapes, responsible wildlife tourism, and the eradication of the wildlife artefacts market. Karanth also highlighted the historical significance of tigers in Indian culture, citing various examples of tiger worship across different regions.