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.

National Conservation Programmes in India: Protecting Tigers, Dolphins, Elephants, Bears, Crocodiles and More

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

1. Project Tiger (1973)

Started in 1973, Project Tiger is India’s landmark wildlife programme.

Key Points

• Implemented by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
• Focuses on habitat improvement, anti-poaching measures and scientific monitoring.
• India now has over 3,000 tigers, the world’s highest population.
• There are over 50 tiger reserves nationwide.
• 2. Project Elephant (1992)

Launched in 1992, this project aims to protect the Asian Elephant, India’s National Heritage Animal.

Objectives

• Secure elephant corridors
• Reduce man–elephant conflict
• Prevent poaching for ivory
• Scientific census and tracking

Major elephant habitats include Assam, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.

3. Project Lion / Asiatic Lion Conservation (1972 onward)

Although not officially called “Project Lion”, the Asiatic Lion Conservation Programme is centred in Gir, Gujarat.

Highlights

• India hosts the only wild population of Asiatic Lions.
• Focus on habitat expansion and reducing genetic bottleneck risk.
• The Lion Landscape Development Project is strengthening this effort.

4. Project Dolphin (2020)

A recent initiative announced in 2020.

Coverage

• Ganges River Dolphin
• Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin

It focuses on clean rivers, anti-poaching, community engagement and ecosystem restoration.

5. Project Crocodile (1975)

Project Crocodile began in 1975 to protect three crocodilian species:

• Gharial
• Mugger Crocodile
• Saltwater Crocodile

Key Measures

• Captive breeding and release
• Establishment of National Chambal Sanctuary
• Wetland protection

6. Project Gharial (2008)

Launched specifically for the critically endangered Gharial, strengthening earlier crocodile efforts.

Focus Areas

• Monitoring nests and riverbanks
• Captive breeding
• Release in Chambal, Son, Gandak and Girwa Rivers

7. Project Snow Leopard (2009)

Started in 2009 to protect the elusive snow leopard in Himalayan states:

• Jammu & Kashmir
• Himachal Pradesh
• Uttarakhand
• Arunachal Pradesh
• Sikkim

It involves community-based conservation and climate-sensitive research.

8. Project Hangul (Kashmir Stag Conservation)

A programme focused on the endangered Hangul deer of the Kashmir Valley.

Concerns

• Habitat loss
• Predation and small population size

Conservation is concentrated inside Dachigam National Park.

9. Project Sloth Bear

Started formally around 2009–10.

Aim

• Protect vulnerable sloth bear habitats
• Reduce human–bear conflict
• Monitor populations in forests of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka and Gujarat

10. Project Great Indian Bustard

India’s critically endangered grassland bird, protected via:

• Captive breeding in Rajasthan
• Habitat restoration
• Protection from power line collisions

Rajasthan and Gujarat are the main focus.

11. Project Red Panda

Focused primarily in the Himalayan region of:

• Sikkim
• Arunachal Pradesh

It includes habitat mapping, captive breeding and monitoring.

12. Project Blackbuck

Conducted mainly in:

• Gujarat
• Rajasthan
• Odisha

Efforts include protected areas, grassland recovery and translocation.

13. Project Vulture

Started around 2006–2007 after sharp declines due to diclofenac poisoning.

Actions

• Ban on veterinary diclofenac
• Captive breeding centres
• Community education

14. Project Rhino (Assam Rhino Vision 2020)

Mainly run in Assam, focused on Indian One-Horned Rhino.

Measures

• Protection in Kaziranga, Pobitora and Orang
• Translocation to newer sites
• Anti-poaching squads

Why These Projects Matter

These initiatives:

• Protect endangered species
• Restore ecological balance
• Provide livelihoods through eco-tourism
• Strengthen India’s global conservation leadership