The tripling of tiger numbers in Assam hailed as a major conservation success

Current Context: In 2006, Assam had only 70 tigers; by 2026, the number has officially risen to 227, marking a three‑fold increase in two decades.

• This achievement came despite annual Brahmaputra floods, poaching threats, and past civil unrest, making it one of India’s toughest conservation landscapes.
• Kaziranga National Park leads the recovery with ~148 adult tigers, now holding the world’s third‑highest tiger density alongside its famed rhino population.
• Manas National Park, once devastated in the 1990s, has staged a remarkable comeback, with tiger numbers tripling and earning global recognition as a UNESCO success story.
• Orang National Park (~28 tigers) acts as a crucial link in the Brahmaputra floodplain, while Nameri National Park serves as a vital corridor to Arunachal Pradesh forests.
• The success is driven by political commitment, community participation, habitat restoration, anti‑poaching patrols, and modern tools like camera traps and drones, making Assam a model for tiger recovery in India.

Question:

Q.1 The tiger population in Assam increased from 70 in 2006 to how many in 2026?
a) 180
b) 200
c) 227
d) 250

Answer: c) Assam’s tiger population rose from 70 (2006) to 227 (2026), marking a three-fold increase in 20 years. Exact figures are commonly tested in prelims.