Global Tiger Forum

Global Tiger Forum (GTF)

Overview

The Global Tiger Forum (GTF) is the only inter-governmental and international body established exclusively for tiger conservation and protection at the global level. It operates as an intergovernmental organization dedicated to coordinating international efforts to save wild tigers from extinction.

Historical Background

Establishment:

• Formed in 1994 following recommendations from an International Symposium on Tiger Conservation held in New Delhi in 1993

• The symposium recommended establishing an Inter-Governmental International Body to embark on a global campaign for tiger protection

Headquarters: New Delhi, India

Objectives of GTF

The Global Tiger Forum was established with the following primary objectives:

1. Promotion of Global Campaigns – Promote a worldwide campaign to save tigers, their prey, and their habitat

2. Habitat Protection – Increase the number of secure habitats for tigers and facilitate inter-passages in range countries

3. Legal Frameworks – Promote legal frameworks in member countries for tiger conservation and biodiversity protection

4. Infrastructure and Financial Support – Provision of infrastructure and financial resources for tiger conservation efforts

5. Training and Research – Promote training programs and research initiatives for tiger conservation

6. Bilateral Cooperation – Promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation between tiger range countries

7. International Conventions – Urge countries to enter into relevant international conventions for conservation and elimination of illegal trade

8. National Action Plans – Call upon range countries to prepare and update their National Tiger Conservation Action Plans

9. Trust Fund Establishment – Establish a trust fund enabling implementation of agreed programs for tiger conservation

Membership Structure

Current Members:

Tiger Range Countries (7):

• Bangladesh

• Bhutan

• Cambodia

• India

• Myanmar

• Nepal

• Vietnam

Non-Tiger Range Countries:

• United Kingdom

• Canada (potential member)

International NGO Members:

• World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)

• TRAFFIC (Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network)

National NGO Members:

• Various organizations from India and Nepal

Note: Out of 13 tiger range countries globally, only 7 are currently members of GTF. The non-member tiger range countries include China, Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, and Malaysia.

Organizational Structure

General Assembly:

• The governing body of GTF

• Meets once every three years

• Comprises representatives from all member states and observer organizations

• Responsible for making key policy decisions and reviewing conservation progress

Secretariat:

• Based in New Delhi, India

• Provides administrative and technical support

• Coordinates between member states and implementing organizations

Executive Committee:

• Manages day-to-day operations

• Meets more frequently than the General Assembly

• Implements decisions of the General Assembly

Functions and Activities

Key Functions:

1. Coordination and Cooperation – Utilizes cooperative policies, common approaches, technical expertise, and scientific modules to protect tigers

2. Capacity Building – Provides professional training and capacity building valued by wildlife officials across range states

3. Knowledge Compilation – Compiles and coordinates national tiger action plans from member countries

4. Monitoring and Review – Acts as implementing arm of Global Tiger Initiative to monitor and review Global Tiger Recovery Programs

5. Technical Assistance – Provides technical support for tiger conservation strategies and policies

6. Habitat Assessment – Undertakes situation analysis studies for assessing tiger habitat status, including high-altitude ecosystems

7. Facilitating Funding – Acts as clearing-house to facilitate funding for priority tiger conservation actions

8. Anti-Poaching and Anti-Trafficking – Coordinates efforts to combat illegal poaching and wildlife trade

Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP)

Original GTRP (2010-2022):

Launch:

• Launched in 2010 following the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit (November 2010)

• Adopted by all 13 tiger range countries through the St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation

Target (TX2 Initiative):

• TX2 stands for “Tigers times Two”

• Global goal to double the wild tiger population by 2022

• Baseline: Approximately 3,200 tigers in 2010

• Target: Over 6,000-7,000 tigers by 2022

Status in 2016 (Mid-way Review):

• Global tiger population revised upward to approximately 3,900 tigers

• First time in about a century that global tiger population decline was halted

• Mixed results: Success in South Asia and Russia; decline in Southeast Asia

13 Tiger Range Countries under GTRP:
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam

GTRP 2.0 (2023-2034):

Launch Date: July 29, 2023 (Global Tiger Day) at Thimphu, Bhutan

Key Features:

• Developed by tiger range countries through GTF platform with collaborators like WWF and IUCN

• Extended timeline: 2023-2034 (11-year program)

• Aligns with Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Focus Areas of GTRP 2.0:

1. Strengthening tiger governance frameworks

2. Enhancing resources and protection mechanisms

3. Addressing human-wildlife conflict

4. Habitat protection and restoration

5. Reducing wildlife trade and poaching

6. Community engagement and sustainable development integration

Progress Overview:

• Overall tiger population increased by approximately 60% since GTRP launch

• Notable success: India and Nepal achieved TX2 targets

• Challenges: South East Asia still faces alarming decline; functional extinction in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos

St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation (2010)

Key Points:

• Endorsed by 13 tiger range countries at the International Tiger Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia in November 2010

• Formed the political foundation for global tiger conservation

• Committed governments to double wild tiger populations

• Led to establishment of Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP)

Significance:

• First time all major tiger range countries united with a common conservation goal

• Highest level of political commitment to tiger conservation

• Demonstrated global consensus on tiger conservation priorities

India’s Role in GTF

Leadership Position:

• India hosts GTF Secretariat in New Delhi

• Home to approximately 75% of the world’s wild tiger population (As of 2023: 3,682 tigers out of ~4,500 globally)

• Pioneering tiger conservation through Project Tiger (established 1973)

• Established National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in December 2005

India’s Contributions:

• First country to achieve TX2 target

• Doubled tiger population ahead of 2022 deadline

• Pilibhit Tiger Reserve received the first international TX2 Award for doubling tigers in 4 years (against 10-year target)

• Field delivery systems serve as model for other tiger range countries

• Sharing best practices with other nations (e.g., Malaysia tiger delegations)

Institutional Framework:

• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) implements Project Tiger

• State-level Steering Committees chaired by Chief Ministers

• Regular monitoring and surveillance systems

• Advanced technology: wireless communication, infrared thermal cameras

Tiger Range Countries (13 Total)

Distribution by Region:

Asia (13 countries):

• South Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal

• Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam

• East Asia: China

• Central/North Asia: Indonesia, Russia

Related International Frameworks

International Agreements:

• CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) – Regulates tiger trade

• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) – Broader biodiversity framework

• Ramsar Convention – Wetland habitat protection

• CMS (Convention on Migratory Species) – For transboundary conservation

International Organizations:

• Global Tiger Initiative (GTI) – Broader platform launched by World Bank in 2008

• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) – Conservation standards and monitoring

• WWF (World Wildlife Fund) – Technical partner and funding support

Tiger Conservation Challenges Identified

1. Poaching and Illegal Trade – Widespread wildlife trafficking of tiger parts and derivatives

2. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation – Deforestation, infrastructure development, rapid urbanization

3. Prey Depletion – Loss of prey species affecting tiger survival

4. Human-Wildlife Conflict – Increasing conflicts in areas with human settlements

5. Poor Wildlife Governance – Inadequate monitoring and enforcement in some countries

6. Low Investment – Insufficient funding for conservation in some regions

7. Cross-border Trafficking – Illegal trade networks operating across borders

8. Climate Change – Habitat degradation affecting tiger ecosystems

Key Statistics:

• Establishment Year: 1994

• Headquarters: New Delhi, India

• Current Member States: 7 tiger range countries + UK + potential Canada membership

• General Assembly Meeting Interval: Every 3 years

• Tiger Range Countries (Total): 13

• Global Tiger Population (2010): ~3,200

• Global Tiger Population (2016): ~3,900

• Global Tiger Population (2023): ~4,500

• India’s Tiger Population (2023): 3,682 (~75% of global population)

• Tiger Subspecies: 6 subspecies (Bengal, Amur, South China, Sumatran, Indochinese, Malayan)

• TX2 Target Year: 2022 (Now extended through GTRP 2.0 to 2034)

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