Tourism and stress hormones: The troubling reality inside tiger habitats
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Biotechnology & health research· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
CSIR–CCMB scientists reported that tigers in core-zone habitats experience sharper stress spikes from seasonal tourism compared to buffer-zone tigers who may have habituated to human presence.
Background
Scientists from CSIR–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) tracked tigers across India over four seasons and two years. The study found that tigers in buffer-zone areas show a stronger stress response to human disturbance than those in core-zone areas.
Facts for Prelims
- BodyCCMB: Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology is a laboratory under CSIR
- FactStudy duration: Four seasons and two years of tracking tigers across India
For Mains
Q. Discuss the ecological implications of tiger tourism on wildlife physiology and suggest measures to balance conservation with eco-tourism in protected areas.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Physiological impact: Stress-induced hormonal spikes affecting reproductive health and survival of apex predators
- Zoning conflict: Habituation in buffer zones vs. acute stress in core zones due to seasonal influx
- Management trade-off: Balancing revenue from eco-tourism with the biological integrity of core habitats
Keywords: Habituation · Stress Response · Apex Predators · Eco-tourism · Wildlife Physiology · Buffer Zone Management
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.