When did the program related to tiger conservation 'Project Tiger' start?

Key Points

• Project Tiger was launched in India in the year 1973.
• The project aims to ensure a viable population of Bengal tigers in their natural habitats and to protect them from extinction.
• It also strives to preserve areas of biological importance as a natural heritage for the people of India.
• Project Tiger is one of the most successful conservation ventures, initiated by the Government of India under the leadership of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• The project started with nine tiger reserves covering an area of 16,339 sq km, which has now expanded to more than 50 reserves across the country.

Additional Information

• Project Tiger is administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
• The project has been instrumental in increasing the tiger population in India, which houses approximately 70% of the world's tiger population.
• The tiger reserves are constituted on a core-buffer strategy, with the core areas being strictly protected for tiger breeding and the buffer areas being used for co-existence of human activities and wildlife.
• Continuous monitoring, habitat management, and patrolling are key components of the project to ensure the safety and growth of the tiger population.
• Project Tiger has also been a model for wildlife conservation globally, inspiring similar projects in other countries.