Ranthambore National Park: 25 Tigers Reported Missing Out Of 75

Ranthambore National Park, situated in the state of Rajasthan, India, and known for being home to a large population of Bengal Tigers is very much a tourist hub. However, there are some growing concerns about the tiger population in the park, which have been raised in recent stories. As stated in the report carried by PTI, within the span of one year 25 out of 75 tigers that had been in the forest, were lost. This number represents the largest proportion of tigers who have gone missing for any year on record, with only 13 tigers lost in the period between January 2019 and January 2022.

Ranthambore National Park's 25 Tigers Reported Missing Out Of 75

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Inquiry Into The Issue

As reports have mentioned, a committee consisting of three members was set up to investigate the issue of the missing tigers. They will study the known facts and will investigate whether lapses by the park staff were contributory factors to the development. There are also claims that some deficiencies in monitoring were found by the forest department, and measures to rectify the situation are already being implemented.

As per some reports, a recent order issued by the government has expressed concerns regarding the missing tigers.

Human–Tiger Conflict

In addition, human–tiger conflicts also aggravate this problem. The regal beasts often come into contact with the encroaching human habitation near the park resulting in both parties being at unease and dangerous too. As a way to lessen the strain on the park, the state government has taken some villages out of the buffer zone and relocated them elsewhere. Most unfortunately, this is a slow process; the last successful relocation of a village took place in 2016.

Overcrowding Exacerbates Issues

With an area of nearly 900 square Kilometers, Ranthambore National Park has an approximately current population of seventy-five tigers, cubs and the younger ones included. That figure is alarmingly, far higher than the delicate carrying capacity of approximately 40 adult tigers, which was projected by the Wild life Institute of India, within the years 2006 to 2014. Overpopulation of tigers leads to excessive territorial fights between the tigers which makes their life in this ecosystem even more challenging.

The park offers one more luring factor for the tourists, which was once regarded as the renowned hunting site for the Maharajas of Jaipur. It is not only home to tigers, but also leopards, sloth bears, many kinds of deer and a large variety of wildlife encasing 40 mammal species, 35 reptile species and 320 bird species.