Poaching, habitat loss and prey depletion are the three main threats to the survival of endangered tigers around the world. Though tigers in Bhutan are safe from such global threats, human-wildlife conflict is one of the major factors that jeopardise their lives.
Tiger is one of the most iconic and charismatic species that needs international attention and support for its conservation. But with the growing population, conservationists say there are some incidences where people do not respect their existence. People cause harm to them when they encroach agricultural fields or attack livestock animals.
Conservationists highlighted that tiger is one of the apex predators which is very important for maintaining balanced ecosystem.
“Tigers are the top predator and we humans are also the top predator and when two top predators coexist in same landscape, human-wildlife occurs,” said Tshering Tempa, Director of Regional Centre for Tiger and Cat Conservation based in Gelegphu. “But we are a Buddhist nation, we are a tolerant society, so I am hopeful that at the end of the day both the community and the tiger and our rural folks will coexist together.”
He further said compensating loss, creating awareness among the youth, and community based conservation approaches like integrated conservation development programs are some of the measures that the centre wants to implement.
“If we do not protect now, in next fifty years or so, tigers’ existence will come to an end. Our children will see them only on the walls as paintings or through pictures,” said Director Tshering Tempa.
Bhutan has over 100 tigers and covers three percent of the global tiger population. Bhutan is also among the few countries to have estimated the number of tigers in the world.
