Thetiger populationin theShivalik hillsandGangetic plainslandscape, which includes the regions of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh andBihar, has increased by 158 in the last four years, the highest uptick in the country. In 2018, this landscape had 646 tigers, which increased to 804 by 2022.
The figures were revealed in the ‘Status of Tigers’ report, which was released on Sunday in Mysuru by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A significant contribution to the report has been made by scientists of the Doon-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII). One of the scientists involved with the report: “The tiger Population in forest divisions of the Shivalik hills and Gangetic landscape has seen a significant increase which is encouraging.”
The landscape is primarily divided into three geological zones — the Shivaliks, Bhabar tract and the Terai plains. The robust tiger population in the landscape ensures free flow of tigers, especially between India and Nepal. WII scientists said that another encouraging sign was that along with an increase in tiger numbers, tiger distribution in the landscape had increased as well, indicating free movement of tigers, who populate newer habitats.