Call for Review of NTCA Policy Decisions
Shri Yadav urged officials to conduct a structured review of decisions taken across the 28 meetings of the NTCA held so far. He said this review should identify policies that have become outdated, those that were partially implemented, and measures that have been fully executed.
Such an exercise, he noted, would help strengthen on-ground implementation and ensure that conservation frameworks remain relevant amid changing ecological, social, and climatic conditions. He suggested consolidating five decades of policy decisions into a formal national tiger conservation policy document.
India Marks 50 Years of Project Tiger
Highlighting that India has completed 50 years of Project Tiger, the Minister said the milestone offers an opportunity for institutional introspection. He proposed that the consolidated policy framework be placed as the first agenda item in the next NTCA meeting.
The conference was attended by Rajasthan Forest Minister Sanjay Sharma, senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, NTCA representatives, and wildlife managers from all tiger range states.
Key Focus Areas for Deliberation
The Minister identified several priority areas requiring focused deliberation, including tiger population estimation, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, rescue and rehabilitation infrastructure, and utilisation of the Tiger Reserve Fund.
He said strengthening Tiger Conservation Foundations and improving coordination between policy, research, and field implementation remain critical to sustaining conservation outcomes.
Region-Specific Working Groups Proposed
Shri Yadav called for the formation of four region-specific working groups to assess changes in tiger populations and review the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes across tiger reserves.
He also emphasised closer coordination between NTCA and apex research institutions such as the Wildlife Institute of India, Botanical Survey of India, Zoological Survey of India, and the Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education to translate research findings into actionable conservation strategies.
Cheetah Reintroduction and Global Leadership
Referring to the cheetah reintroduction programme, the Minister said India has successfully undertaken an international translocation of a species that had gone extinct in the country. The project has now reached the third India-born generation of cheetahs.
He added that a new batch of cheetahs from Botswana is expected to arrive by the end of February, further strengthening the programme.
International Big Cat Alliance Gains Momentum
Shri Yadav highlighted India’s leadership in establishing the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), which currently has 24 member countries, with several others seeking observer status.
International organisations including UNDP, IUCN, FAO, Global Tiger Forum, and GSLEP have expressed interest in collaborating with the alliance. The Union Budget has also announced that the first Global Big Cat Summit will be hosted in India.
Strengthening Rescue and Conflict Response Systems
The Minister stressed the need for standardised rescue and rehabilitation frameworks as tigers increasingly move beyond core forest areas. He said timely intervention is essential in cases involving injured animals, conflict situations, and orphaned cubs.
Developing professional rescue, rehabilitation, and transit treatment centres around tiger reserves, he noted, is critical for both wildlife protection and community safety.
Conference Agenda and Expected Outcomes
Over the two days, participants will review the All India Tiger Estimation 2026, protection and patrolling mechanisms, active population management, and fund utilisation under Project Tiger.
Pending issues such as tiger mortality cases will also be examined to improve administrative and technical alignment with field requirements. The conference aims to facilitate direct interaction between policymakers, managers, and frontline staff for coordinated national action.
