National Conservation Programmes in India: Protecting Tigers, Dolphins, Elephants, Bears, Crocodiles and More
India hosts nearly 8% of the world’s biodiversity, making conservation crucial for ecological balance and national heritage. To prevent extinction of threatened species, the government launched several dedicated conservation programmes. These are widely asked in competitive exams, especially in Environment, Current Affairs and GS topics.
| Project / Programme | Year Launched | Target Species | Key Regions / States | Main Objectives / Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Tiger | 1973 | Bengal Tiger | Across India (50+ Tiger Reserves) | Habitat protection, anti-poaching, population recovery under NTCA |
| Project Elephant | 1992 | Asian Elephant | Assam, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha | Reduce conflict, secure corridors, census and monitoring |
| Asiatic Lion Conservation Programme / Lion Landscape Development | 1972 onward | Asiatic Lion | Gir Forest, Gujarat | Expanding habitat, reducing genetic risks and conflict |
| Project Dolphin | 2020 | Ganges River Dolphin & Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin | River Ganga, Brahmaputra & coastal areas | Habitat protection, clean rivers, awareness and research |
| Project Crocodile | 1975 | Gharial, Mugger & Saltwater Crocodile | Chambal, Odisha, Gujarat | Captive breeding, release programmes, wetland protection |
| Project Gharial | 2008 | Gharial (Critically Endangered) | Chambal, Son, Gandak Rivers | Species restoration, breeding and monitoring |
| Project Snow Leopard | 2009 | Snow Leopard | Himalayan States (J&K, HP, Uttarakhand, Arunachal, Sikkim) | Climate-sensitive conservation and community inclusion |
| Project Hangul | — | Kashmir Stag / Hangul Deer | Jammu & Kashmir | Focused protection in Dachigam National Park |
| Project Sloth Bear | 2009–10 | Sloth Bear | MP, Odisha, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat | Conflict mitigation, corridor safety and tracking |
| Project Great Indian Bustard | — | Great Indian Bustard | Rajasthan, Gujarat | Breeding centres, habitat restoration, saving grasslands |
| Project Red Panda | — | Red Panda | Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh | Habitat recovery, monitoring, breeding |
| Project Blackbuck | — | Blackbuck | Gujarat, Rajasthan, Odisha | Grassland management, translocation and patrolling |
| Project Vulture | 2006–07 | Indian Vultures (several species) | UP, Haryana, Assam, MP | Ban on diclofenac, breeding facilities, awareness |
| Rhino Vision 2020 / Assam Rhino Programme | 2005 | One-Horned Rhino | Kaziranga, Pobitora, Orang (Assam) | Translocation, anti-poaching and habitat strengthening |
Launched in 1973, Project Tiger is one of India’s most successful wildlife protection programmes. It began with nine tiger reserves and now covers over 50 reserves across India.
Increase tiger population
Protect forest habitats
Reduce poaching
Support community participation in conservation
Thanks to this initiative, India now hosts more than 75% of the world’s tigers, making it a global leader in wildlife conservation.
India is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, an iconic species known for strength and beauty. According to the latest estimation reports, tiger numbers in India have grown significantly due to strict protection measures and habitat restoration.
Many tiger reserves like Ranthambore, Sundarbans, Jim Corbett, and Bandhavgarh attract global wildlife lovers, creating eco-tourism jobs for local communities.
Although not officially called “Project Lion”, the Asiatic Lion Conservation Programme is centred in Gir, Gujarat.
A recent initiative announced in 2020.
It focuses on clean rivers, anti-poaching, community engagement and ecosystem restoration.
India is home to the Ganges River Dolphin, declared the National Aquatic Animal of India in 2009.
To protect dolphins, the government launched ‘Project Dolphin’ in 2020, focusing on:
Dolphins play a key role in maintaining river health, making their conservation vital.
Project Crocodile began in 1975 to protect three crocodilian species:
Launched specifically for the critically endangered Gharial, strengthening earlier crocodile efforts.
Started in 2009 to protect the elusive snow leopard in Himalayan states:
It involves community-based conservation and climate-sensitive research.
A programme focused on the endangered Hangul deer of the Kashmir Valley.
Conservation is concentrated inside Dachigam National Park.
Started formally around 2009–10.
India’s critically endangered grassland bird, protected via:
Rajasthan and Gujarat are the main focus.
Focused primarily in the Himalayan region of:
It includes habitat mapping, captive breeding and monitoring.
Conducted mainly in:
Efforts include protected areas, grassland recovery and translocation.
Started around 2006–2007 after sharp declines due to diclofenac poisoning.
Mainly run in Assam, focused on Indian One-Horned Rhino.
These initiatives:
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