India To Relocate Tigers In Cambodia To Help With Conservation Efforts

Tiger numbers have been on the rise since 2010. However, despite efforts, Cambodia's population has not been faring well, which is why India will lend a hand.

Tigers from India, whose population has been on the rise, may be relocated to Cambodia to increase their global population in a decision that BBC noted came during the 3rd Asian Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation. Thirteen Asian nations with tiger populations think the best course of action to save the species is to move some of them from thriving countries to where they are almost extinct.

The global tiger population now comes at nearly 3,900 compared to the 3,200 in 2010. Out of all these, more than half are in India, with a population of 2,226. These numbers aren't stellar, but is on the way to the global of doubling the big cat's population by 2022.

Besides the Bengal tigers, Amur tigers from Russia can be relocated to Kazakhstan, a country which has lost all of its big cat population.

The New Indian Express said that this alignment of the conservation will be done with the help of locals. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said that they believe this is the best course of action, as they are "the real protectors" in this scenario.

The conservation efforts will not be easy, though. According to secretary general of the Global Tiger Forum Rajesh Gopal, relocation will take place only after the necessary preparations -- for the habitat and population of prey species -- are complete.

The Indian government, as stated by Minister Javadekar, is "ready to cooperate with all countries" for these majestic species' conservation and protection. Still, despite India and Russia being open to relocating some of their cats to different countries, they will not rule out the possibility of relocating in-country to better distribute the species.