Trees for Tigers®

Seoni district, Madhya Pradesh, India

Available for Adoption upto: 20,000 Trees

100% remaining 0 Trees planted
20,000 Trees Target

Project Purpose

Trees for Forests™ & Wildlife

Location

In FY 2024-25, we will plant 20,000 trees in this project. It will be implemented in Potlai village in Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh, the project location lies in close proximity to the Pench tiger reserve.

Aim

Enhancement of

Biodiversity

Carbon Sequestration

Increase in

Green Cover

Reduction of

Man-Animal Conflict

Generation of

Rural Employment

Improvement of

Wildlife Habitats

Why trees?

In April 2023, India announced that its wild tiger population had risen to a healthy 3,167 from just 1,400 in 2006. However, nearly 30 percent of these tigers roam outside protected areas, entering human-dominated landscapes and increasing the risk of conflict. [1]

But the growing population of tigers are facing some big issues, one being the lack of space. Tigers are large cats requiring territories of around 100 sq km, according to a study; tigers occupy around 89,000 km² in India, while the potential habitat within their range is approximately 381,000 km² (Jhala et al., 2020) Although India has made efforts to increase areas designated as tiger reserves, only 65% of the total tiger population, roughly 3,000 tigers, are within these protected zones. India’s current reserves cover only 20 percent of the 380,000 sq km of forests that can support tigers. [3]

Another big issue is invasive species taking over their natural habitat, according to a recent study; At least 20% of India’s tiger reserves are threatened by invasive plant species such as Lantana camara. [4] In addition to these challenges, tiger corridors, crucial for allowing tigers to move between reserves without human interference, lack legal protection. Qamar Qureshi from the Wildlife Institute of India highlights the need for these corridors to facilitate safe movement and genetic diversity among tiger populations. [5]

Tigers are often driven out of forests in pursuit of herbivores that invade human areas due to invasive species like Lantana camara overtaking their natural habitat. Given these challenges, planting trees plays a critical role in tiger conservation. Trees help improve habitat quality by providing cover, supporting prey populations, and mitigating the effects of invasive species. Moreover, increasing green cover can enhance the resilience of tiger habitats against human pressures and climate change. Creating and restoring forested corridors will enable tigers to traverse between reserves safely, thus reducing human-tiger conflict and supporting the long-term viability of tiger populations.

The presence of tigers symbolizes a healthy ecosystem, as they are an umbrella species whose conservation ensures the protection of numerous other species and the overall ecosystem. Tigers, as apex predators, require vast habitats to maintain viable populations, making them key indicators of forest health in Asia. Despite the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which marked the beginning of formal efforts for environmental, wildlife, and tiger conservation in India, the tiger population and their habitats still face significant challenges. The plantation site in Potlai village, Seoni district, is which lies in close proximity to the Pench tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh is one such effort of restoring tiger habitat and increasing green cover for a thriving prey population and the tiger as well.

Tree species

We have selected the following tree species for this initiative: fruit-bearing trees such as Emblica officinalis, Zizyphus mauritiana, Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava, and Annona squamosa. These fruits will benefit the prey population of tigers, including spotted deer, sambar deer, monkeys, wild boars etc. Additionally, we are planting canopy species like Tectona grandis, Dalbergia sissoo, Pongamia pinnata, and Cassia siamea. These trees are essential for enhancing the overall green cover of the forest, providing tigers with hiding spots and hunting grounds, and helping them avoid entering human territories.

Social and environmental impacts:

The "Trees for Tigers®" initiative in Potlai village, Seoni district, near the Pench tiger reserve, aims to restore and enhance tiger habitats while providing substantial benefits to local communities. By planting a diverse array of fruit-bearing and canopy trees, the project supports the prey population essential for tigers and improves forest cover to facilitate safer movement and reduce human-wildlife conflict. This initiative helps local communities by generating employment opportunities through nursery development and tree planting activities, offering sustainable livelihoods. Increased green cover also contributes to a healthier environment, mitigating the adverse effects of invasive species and climate change, fostering biodiversity, and ensuring a balanced, thriving ecosystem. Engaging the local population in conservation efforts raises awareness about the importance of preserving natural habitats and reduces conflict by aligning economic benefits with environmental stewardship. Upon maturity, each tree can absorb approximately 20 kg of CO2 per year which is considered globally as a conservative estimate for sequestration potential of trees.

References: