Habitat conservation & reclamation: Without its habitat, the tiger cannot survive. GTP co-operates with and has contributed to local projects for reforestation, water conservation, alternative agriculture and energy technologies that save fragile habitat.

People-centred conservation: Without the support and co-operation of local people, the tiger has no chance of survival. Recognising that their economic and social concerns must be addressed, GTP has worked closely with the Ranthambhore Foundation (a pioneering people-centred conservation project) around the Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan and in Karnataka, south India (youth education projects); with the Institute of Climbers and Nature Lovers working in and around the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve; with Tarun Bharat Sangh, working with villages in and around Sariska National Park and also the Prakratik Society.

Research and data collection: To save the tiger, it is crucial to know numbers, where they live and how much they move in search of new territory and different mates (to maintain a healthy population). This calls for new tracking and monitoring systems and expert scientists to gather as much information as possible. GTP is supporting an on-going scientific research programme (see Annual Reports 2001 - 2004).

21st Century Tiger: GTP is a founding partner in 21st Century Tiger, a wild tiger conservation alliance with the Zoological Society of London. Initially 21st Century Tiger concentrated its funds on projects in India, Sumatra and the Russian Far East but has expanded to include a project in Malaysia and one in Cambodia. At its launch in February 1997 the British Government announced a grant to this newly formed partnership. Since then, the Government has continued to fund tiger conservation through 21st Century Tiger. Projects funded by 21st Century Tiger are marked with an asterisk (below)

NGOs: GTP provides support to Indian NGOs (Non-Government Organisations) that share its objectives.

Our Projects

Funding includes:-

Assam
Kaziranga National Park: awards for forest guards

Bihar
Valmiki Tiger Reserve: anti-poaching motorcycle
Palamau Tiger Reserve: funding for Nature Conservation Society's Wildlife Awareness Scheme with local village communities.

Chhattisgarh
Sitanadi Sanctuary: *2 anti-poaching vehicles
Udanti Sanctuary: *2 anti-poaching vehicles
Barnawapra: *anti-poaching vehicle

Karnataka
Bhadra Tiger Reserve: 3 anti-poaching vehicles, uniforms, patrol kits and awards for forest guards. Nagarahole National Park: anti-poaching vehicle, binoculars, conservation education scheme.
Bhadra, Nagarahole and Kudremukh: *Funding of 'Community Leadership for Tiger Conservation Project'.

Madhya Pradesh
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve: anti-poaching motorcycle.
Pachmari Sanctuary: winter clothing for forest guards.
Panna Tiger Reserve: anti-poaching truck, two further anti-poaching vehicles, twelve motorcycles, binoculars, cameras and insurance for forest guards. Tranquillisation drugs and support for on-going scientifc research programme, which includes 3 additional jeeps and a motorcycle.
Satpura National Park: winter clothing for forest guards.

Uttar Pradesh
Corbett Tiger Reserve: motor patrol boat
Rajaji National Park: winter clothing and awards for forest guards

West Bengal
Sundarbans Tiger Reserve: Patrol launch and on-going support with running costs and maintenance

Rajasthan
Prakratik Society: support for this NGO working to cater for the medical needs of villages around Ranthambhore National Park.
Ranthambhore National Park: anti-poaching motorcycles, binoculars, camera and an anti-poaching troop carrier, which converts for use as a water tanker. Awards and an insurance scheme for forest guards. Joint sponsorship of the Ranthambhore Guide. Grants to local schools surrounding the Park.
Ranthambhore Foundation: Seed funding and subsequent grant to the Foundation for its work. Woollen sweaters and balaclavas for several employees.
Ranthambhore TigerWatch: 2 motorcyles and office equipment.
Sariska National Park: Funding for Tarun Bharat Sangh's programme with local villages and schools in and around the Park, and an award. Binoculars for forest guards.

*3 patrol vehicles, winter uniforms and backpacks for all Forest Department staff.

Other Activities

Support for other NGO activities in anti-poaching intelligence gathering and education.
Support to TigerLink - an invaluable information route for those directly involved in field operations with both government and non-government tiger conservation organisations.

The Solution

Protection of the wild tiger

"The wildlife of today is not ours to dispose of as we please. We have it in trust. We must account for it to those who come after." King George VI

"The Taj Mahal you can actually rebuild, but once the tiger has gone, you can never get it back."

"The five remaining tiger subspecies could be preserved in captivity. But for what? Any reintroduction programme for big cats is exceedingly difficult, time consuming and expensive. Liberated tigers must learn to hunt and they may attack livestock and people. And widespread fear for the powerful predator will make them locally unwelcome, even if a suitable forest can be found.

If a country truly wants free-living tigers, its first priority must be to study, vigorously protect, and manage those it still has. It must be done now before the radiance of the magnificent tiger, a symbol of physical beauty, power and lithe grace, disappears forever into the forest's shadow." Dr George Schaller