Ramnagar: Jim Corbett National Park, India’s most prestigious tiger reserve, is now facing a critical space crisis, pushing tigers out of their natural habitat and into mountainous regions. With more than 260 tigers in Corbett alone, the carrying capacity of the reserve has exceeded its limit, leading to increased territorial conflicts and rising human-wildlife interactions.
Experts warn of more and more territorial conflicts, human-wildlife interactions, and conservation challenges, urging urgent action to manage Uttarakhand’s growing tiger population.
Corbett’s overcapacity raises alarm
According to the All-India Tiger Census 2022, Uttarakhand has 560 tigers, with nearly half residing within Corbett Tiger Reserve. While the park spans 1288.34 square kilometers, a single male tiger typically requires 40-60 square kilometers of territory. However, due to severe overcrowding, many tigers are confined to only 5-10 square kilometers, triggering dangerous territorial disputes.
Wildlife experts express concern that this pressure on land resources is disrupting natural movement patterns, with reports indicating tigers migrating toward hill districts like Pauri, Bageshwar, and Tehri in search of new habitats.
Study on Corbett’s carrying capacity underway
Recognizing the urgency of the issue, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has launched a special study to assess Corbett’s carrying capacity. Uttarakhand Chief Wildlife Warden Ranjan Mishra described the situation as highly sensitive, emphasizing that future conservation strategies will be based on the study’s findings. Authorities have also recorded an increase in tiger presence in the Terai West, Ramnagar, and Lansdowne divisions, underscoring the extent of the migration trend. Conservationists warn that if immediate action is not taken, the problem may escalate further, leading to potential ecological imbalances.
Rising concerns over inbreeding and human-wildlife conflict
Beyond territorial struggles, wildlife experts fear the risk of inbreeding among Corbett’s tiger population, which could impact genetic diversity and long-term survival. Additionally, as tigers move beyond the reserve boundaries, human-wildlife conflict is becoming increasingly serious, posing threats to local communities and livestock. Wildlife enthusiasts stress the need for immediate intervention, advocating for rehabilitation initiatives for tigers displaced due to overcrowding. Expansion of wildlife corridors to ensure safe migration routes and establishment of new tiger reserves to balance population distribution.
A call for sustainable conservation
Jim Corbett National Park, which played a pioneering role in tiger conservation, is now burdened by the very success of its efforts. Conservationists insist that balanced solutions are necessary to protect both tigers and local communities, ensuring sustainable wildlife management in Uttarakhand. As official studies progress, wildlife experts and environmentalists urge authorities to take immediate conservation measures, preventing escalation of territorial conflicts and ensuring safe tiger movement.