The correct option is 2 only
Explanation
The tiger (Panthera tigris) is an apex predator whose population in India suffered a catastrophic decline during the 20th century due to hunting, habitat loss, and illegal trade. This decline necessitated urgent legislative and administrative interventions by the Government of India in the early 1970s.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Historical estimates suggest that at the turn of the 20th century, the tiger population in India was approximately 55,000 (estimates vary between 40,000 to 55,000). By 1973, following the first countrywide tiger census conducted in 1972, the population was found to have dwindled to approximately 1,827. This sharp decline was the immediate trigger for conservation measures.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The trade of tiger skins and bones is one of the primary reasons for the decline in tiger populations. Poaching for the illegal international market, where tiger parts are used for traditional medicines and decorative purposes, has severely impacted the species.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India on April 1, 1973, not in 2010. It was initiated at the Jim Corbett National Park to ensure the maintenance of a viable population of tigers in India. 2010 is significant for the St. Petersburg Declaration, where tiger range countries committed to doubling the tiger population (Tx2) by 2022.
Key Takeaway
Project Tiger was launched in 1973 in response to the alarming decline of the tiger population revealed by the 1972 census. Poaching and illegal trade remain critical threats to the species.