Tiger Action Plan for Bhutan (2018-2023).

The Tiger Action Plan for Bhutan (2018-2023) establishes a comprehensive strategic framework for conserving the nation's tiger population, which was estimated at 103 individuals as of 2015. Moving beyond traditional methods, this Plan adopts a "landscape approach" to ensure the long-term survival of tigers by maintaining ecological connectivity both inside and outside the protected area network. It aligns with global initiatives like the St. Petersburg Declaration to double the global tiger population and synchronizes with Bhutan's 12th Five Year Plan.
The Plan identifies four primary objectives: reducing poaching by 90%, managing critical habitats, mitigating human-tiger conflict, and enhancing scientific research. To combat poaching, it implements SMART patrolling and strengthens inter-agency coordination. Habitat management focuses on delineating critical zones and implementing enrichment activities such as salt lick creation and grassland management to support healthy prey populations.
At a technical level, the Plan emphasizes addressing human-tiger conflict through preventive measures, community involvement, and compensation schemes. It also mandates rigorous scientific monitoring, including nationwide population surveys every five years and genetic database development. By integrating local livelihoods with conservation through initiatives like community-based ecotourism, the Plan seeks to foster a sustainable co-existence between tigers and the people of Bhutan.