A recent study published in the Journal of Biological Conservation has highlighted a significant increase in the tiger population in Assam’s Manas National Park, which tripled between 2011 and 2019. The study attributes this remarkable recovery to enhanced protection infrastructure, increased staffing, and improved funding, particularly from tourism revenue.

Manas National Park, which spans 500 square kilometers and extends into Bhutan, had long suffered from the effects of armed conflict, which had severely impacted its wildlife and conservation efforts. However, concerted efforts over the last decade have yielded impressive results. The park, once struggling with issues like poaching and habitat degradation, is now seeing a thriving tiger population.

According to the study, the tiger population density in the park increased from 1.06 adults per 100 square kilometers in 2011–2012 to 3.64 adults per 100 square kilometers by 2018–2019. The upward trend suggests that, with continued conservation measures, the tiger population could potentially reach eight or more per 100 square kilometers in the near future. The findings indicate that, under effective management, the number of tigers in the park could have doubled by 2023.

The study points out that this recovery has been significantly bolstered by improved management practices and the infusion of resources from local communities, government bodies, and conservation agencies. The involvement of international organizations, such as Panthera and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, has also played a key role in the park’s resurgence. Through training programs for park staff and local communities, as well as the promotion of alternative livelihoods, the park’s management has seen a decrease in the number of people relying on the park’s natural resources, thereby reducing human-wildlife conflict.

One of the key factors behind the recovery of the tiger population in Manas is the extensive network of interconnected forests across the India-Bhutan border region. This transboundary landscape provides a vital corridor for wildlife, supporting not just tigers but a host of other species as well. Collaborative conservation efforts across borders have proven to be an essential component of the park’s success story.

The study also highlights the importance of tourism revenue in supporting the park’s management. The funds generated from eco-tourism have significantly contributed to the improvement of infrastructure and the expansion of the park’s staff, allowing for more effective patrolling and anti-poaching measures.

However, the report cautions that despite these positive developments, challenges such as poaching, habitat loss, and the pressures of increasing human populations in surrounding areas continue to pose threats to the long-term sustainability of the tiger population. As the tiger population approaches its carrying capacity, continued investment in conservation efforts will be essential to ensure that the park remains a safe haven for tigers and other endangered species.

Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is now being hailed as a model for post-conflict wildlife recovery. The remarkable resurgence of tigers in the park underscores the potential for conservation success when local communities, governments, and international organizations collaborate towards shared environmental goals.