Why in News?
In December 2025, the Union Environment Minister chaired two distinct high-level meetings at the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve:
Description:
- The 28th Meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
- The 22nd Steering Committee Meeting of Project Elephant.
Core Features: Methodology Comparison:
| Feature | All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) | All India Elephant Estimation (SAIEE) |
| IUCN | Endangered | Endangered |
| Cycle | Every 4 Years (Current: 6th Cycle) | Every 5 Years (Current: 2021-25 Cycle) |
| Primary Tool | M-STrIPES (App-based monitoring) | DNA Fingerprinting (Genetic mark-recapture) |
| Indicators | Prey density, habitat quality, AI photo ID | Dung DNA samples, individual genetic ID |
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):
A. Nature & Governance:
- Type: Statutory Body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- Legal Basis: Established via the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006. Chaired by the Union Environment Minister
B. Key Updates:
- Sixth All India Tiger Estimation (AITE): Formally reviewed progress; ground surveys commenced in November 2025.
- Project “Tigers Outside Reserves”: A new initiative launched to manage human-tiger conflict in non-notified forest areas and corridors.
- International Linkage: Ratified the expansion of Project Cheetah to Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary and Banni Grassland (Gujarat), involving collaboration with South Africa and Namibia.
Important Facts:
- India’s Global Share: India hosts >75% of global wild tigers and >60% of global Asian elephants.
- Wildlife Institute of India (WII): The technical partner for both estimation exercises.
- Nodal Publication: The minister released the STRIPES (Tiger outreach) and TRUMPET (Elephant outreach) journals.
- Landscape Management: Shift from “Isolated Reserve” protection to “Landscape-level planning” to ensure corridor connectivity.
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