08 February 2012
Tiger poaching dropped nearly 60 percent in 2011 as compared to the previous year, though it continues to pose a major threat to the survival of the big cat in the country, a leading NGO said.
According to the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), 13 tigers were hunted last year as compared to 30 in 2010 - a decline of 57 percent. The bodies of poached tigers, seized bones and skins were computed to arrive at the figures. Click on date for more details
GTP Strategy
BACKGROUND
Global Tiger Patrol (GTP) was originally formed as the Ranthambhore Trust and has been working to conserve the tiger in the wild since 1989. Despite our many local successes it is believed that due to poaching and habitat loss, there may be fewer than 3,000 tigers remaining in the wild today.
Initially, GTP’s policy was people-centred conservation, believing that working with, and gaining the support and cooperation of those living in and around the tiger’s habitat was the best way for the future. This remains an essential keystone of our policy but in recent years, owing to the increase in poaching and trading in the tiger and other endangered wildlife GTP now funds front line protection as well.
We are active to protect tiger habitat against the impacts that tourism can have on fragile ecosystems through our Travel Operators For Tigers (TOFT) programme
GTP works across the Tiger Range through its partnership in 21st Century Tiger but mainly concentrates its work in India, as the sub-continent is home to the largest percentage of the world’s remaining wild tigers. GTP endeavours to support the most urgent and pressing conservation needs but seeks the advice of acknowledged, recognised tiger experts in making decisions. GTP provides equipment for scientific research and for Forest Guards we support scientific research projects and continue to work with the people living in and around the tiger’s habitat to help them protect their heritage.
SMALL AND AGILE
Unlike some of the larger wildlife charities, Global Tiger Patrol does not have cumbersome bureaucracy and can react to situations swiftly. For instance, in 2009 the Sunderbans in West Bengal was severely hit by Cyclone Aila, wreaking havoc. Not only was it a humanitarian disaster but an environmental catastrophe. GTP launched an appeal, which was taken up by supporters in the UK and as far away as the USA. We were able to get initial emergency finance out to Project Lifeline Sunderbans, with whom we have worked for many years. This was then followed up with two more tranches of funding, as supporters answered the appeal.
GTP often acts in a catalytic role, providing seed funding for new and innovative projects, which may be seen as risky by the bigger agencies. Time and again, this has proved fruitful and many of these projects have been taken up by the larger charities, once there is a proven track record and tangible results to show.
Global Tiger Patrol (GTP) was originally formed as the Ranthambhore Trust and has been working to conserve the tiger in the wild since 1989. Despite our many local successes it is believed that due to poaching and habitat loss, there may be fewer than 3,000 tigers remaining in the wild today.
Initially, GTP’s policy was people-centred conservation, believing that working with, and gaining the support and cooperation of those living in and around the tiger’s habitat was the best way for the future. This remains an essential keystone of our policy but in recent years, owing to the increase in poaching and trading in the tiger and other endangered wildlife GTP now funds front line protection as well.
We are active to protect tiger habitat against the impacts that tourism can have on fragile ecosystems through our Travel Operators For Tigers (TOFT) programme
GTP works across the Tiger Range through its partnership in 21st Century Tiger but mainly concentrates its work in India, as the sub-continent is home to the largest percentage of the world’s remaining wild tigers. GTP endeavours to support the most urgent and pressing conservation needs but seeks the advice of acknowledged, recognised tiger experts in making decisions. GTP provides equipment for scientific research and for Forest Guards we support scientific research projects and continue to work with the people living in and around the tiger’s habitat to help them protect their heritage.
SMALL AND AGILE
Unlike some of the larger wildlife charities, Global Tiger Patrol does not have cumbersome bureaucracy and can react to situations swiftly. For instance, in 2009 the Sunderbans in West Bengal was severely hit by Cyclone Aila, wreaking havoc. Not only was it a humanitarian disaster but an environmental catastrophe. GTP launched an appeal, which was taken up by supporters in the UK and as far away as the USA. We were able to get initial emergency finance out to Project Lifeline Sunderbans, with whom we have worked for many years. This was then followed up with two more tranches of funding, as supporters answered the appeal.
GTP often acts in a catalytic role, providing seed funding for new and innovative projects, which may be seen as risky by the bigger agencies. Time and again, this has proved fruitful and many of these projects have been taken up by the larger charities, once there is a proven track record and tangible results to show.
