Why this matters now
These projects are common Prelims items (project → species → year/body) and connect to protected areas and the IUCN Red List. Project Tiger especially is heavily examined.
Major conservation projects
| Project | Focus |
|---|---|
| Project Tiger (1973) | Tigers; managed via tiger reserves under the NTCA |
| Project Elephant (1992) | Elephants and their corridors (elephant reserves) |
| Project Lion | The Asiatic lion (Gir, Gujarat) |
| Project Dolphin | The Gangetic river dolphin (national aquatic animal) |
| Project Snow Leopard | The snow leopard of the high Himalayas |
| Others | Crocodile, vulture, Great Indian Bustard, sea-turtle conservation |
Project Tiger — the flagship
Project Tiger (1973) is India’s most famous conservation programme. It protects tigers through a network of tiger reserves, managed under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Periodic tiger censuses have shown a recovering population — a major conservation success.
The IUCN Red List
Global conservation status is tracked by the IUCN Red List, which grades species from Least Concern through Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered to Extinct in the Wild and Extinct. It guides priorities for the species these projects protect.
UPSC angle
Match project → species → year/body (Tiger 1973/NTCA; Elephant 1992; Lion-Gir; Dolphin-Gangetic). Know the IUCN Red List categories (LC → VU → EN → CR → EW → EX).
Frequently asked questions
When was Project Tiger launched?
In 1973; it protects tigers through a network of tiger reserves managed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
What is Project Dolphin about?
The conservation of the Gangetic river dolphin, India’s national aquatic animal.
What is the IUCN Red List?
A global inventory that grades the conservation status of species from Least Concern to Extinct.
Which body manages tiger reserves in India?
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).