Asian tigers get a boost: 10 countries pledge $1 billion over a decade for habitat conservation

In a significant win for conservation efforts, 10 Asian countries have come together to pledge $1 billion over the next decade towards protecting and expanding vital tiger habitats across the continent. This collaborative initiative marks a renewed commitment to reversing the decline of these majestic big cats.

Countries discussed mobilising new financial resources and roping in science and technical expertise for increasing tiger conservation efforts during the two-day Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference in Bhutan. 

The summit, which concluded on April 23, 2024, was attended by Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam.

While sharing innovative and successful models and methods from Cambodia, Indonesia, Bhutan, India and other countries, the attendees recognised the importance of having country-specific conservation mechanisms that are best suited to conserving habitats and environments.

The majority of countries, however, emphasised the importance of a comprehensive approach to tiger conservation, including indigenous and local communities that coexist and share tiger territory, in order to protect the species. 

Since 2015, the global tiger population has increased from 3,200 in 2015 to approximately 4,500 in 2022. 

Experts noted that, despite success in slowing the decline and moving towards population recovery in India, the endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List continues to face threats from poaching, habitat destruction and human-tiger conflict. 

Tiger numbers are recovering, but the success is fragile, said Joe Walston, executive vice president of nonprofit Wildlife Conservation Society. “They remain vulnerable to poaching, illegal trade and loss of prey and habitat,” he pointed out. 

Walston stated the successes of a few countries frequently overshadow the failures of others and emphasised the importance of equitable success in tiger range countries in terms of conservation and protection.

Stuart Chapman, chair of Tiger Conservation Coalition and lead at conservation organisation World Wildlife Fund Tigers Alive said the landscapes hosting wild tigers are identified as having healthy and vibrant ecosystems, especially in the climate changing world.

Maintaining healthy biodiversity in tiger habitats can encourage carbon sequestration, ensure supply of ecosystem services and potential to provide resources to more than 100 million people for a healthy planet, Chapman noted.

The aim of the conference to raise huge funds will prove crucial to preserving tiger landscapes and ensuring the success of tiger and its stakeholders, he added. 

The participants discussed innovative methods, including carbon credits, rhinoceros bonds and efforts to protect rhinos and forest ecosystems in Indonesia, which have contributed to the preservation of forest areas.

They also explored ways in which governments from non-range countries, public and private sector entities, financial institutions, civil society organizations and individuals could play a role in raising funds and partnering in conservation efforts.

At the conference, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) presented a new initiative, the Tiger Landscapes Investment Fund. This emerging financial mechanism aims to promote nature-positive businesses with positive impacts on tigers, biodiversity and local communities.

Additionally, the Asian Development Bank expressed interest in exploring opportunities to support tiger range countries with innovative financial instruments, such as a “tiger bond”, to engage private sector investors and promote nature-based solutions and conservation, according to a conference statement.

Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, chief executive of the Global Environment Facility, mentioned that since 2010, his organisation has provided over $197 million in funding and has mobilised an additional $880 million in co-financing for tiger conservation.

Fred Launay, president and chief executive of Panthera, emphasised the need to integrate approaches that restore tiger habitats, reverse biodiversity loss and mitigate climate change. He noted that while the vast expanse of potential tiger habitat is often devoid of tigers, this challenge also presents an opportunity to make meaningful progress in conservation.

Mohammad Younus, the UNDP Bhutan resident representative, added that tiger landscapes could serve as models for harmonious coexistence between local communities and biodiversity. He highlighted that achieving this goal would require investors and donors to embrace ecological values while closely collaborating with conservationists, local communities and governments.

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