Why India Needs More Tiger Reserves & Challenges They Face

India, home to 3,681 tigers (2022-23 estimate), recently added its 58th tiger reserve, Madhav National Park, spanning 1,651 sq km. Project Tiger, launched in 1973, aims to protect tigers and their habitats through core and buffer zones. India’s tiger population is spread across five major regions, with Corbett (260 tigers) having the highest numbers.

However, only 25% of tigers live in core reserves, while 45% share space with human settlements. Conservation challenges include habitat destruction due to mining and development, human-wildlife conflict, poaching, and political instability. Some reserves in Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha have very few or no tigers. The Satkosia reserve in Odisha has seen local extinction. While 26 reserves have over 50 tigers, 16 struggle with low or male-only populations. Strengthening conservation requires balancing wildlife protection with human needs. More reserves help, but long-term success depends on sustainable habitat management.

Why India Needs More Tiger Reserves & Challenges They Face

India is home to approximately 3,681 tigers as per the latest 2022-23 estimates. While conservation efforts have been increasing, some areas still face concerns regarding tiger population density and habitat sustainability.

India’s 58th Tiger Reserve

Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh has recently been designated as India’s 58th tiger reserve. Covering 1,651 square kilometers, it currently houses six tigers, including a cub. Authorities hope this new reserve will enhance tiger movement along the Ranthambore-Kuno-Madhav National Park corridor, which serves as a crucial habitat for these majestic creatures.

The History and Purpose of Project Tiger

Tigers in India once faced severe threats from hunting, especially during British rule and the post-independence years. By the 1960s, their numbers had drastically declined due to hunting and deforestation. In response, India banned the export of tiger skins in 1969. Around the same time, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified tigers as an endangered species.

This led to the formation of a government task force, which initiated Project Tiger in 1973, following the enactment of the Wildlife Protection Act in 1972. Initially planned as a six-year program, Project Tiger has now been active for over five decades. Its primary goal is to safeguard tiger populations and their habitats.

How Tiger Reserves Work

When Project Tiger was launched, it began with nine reserves, including well-known parks such as Manas, Jim Corbett, Kanha, and Ranthambore. These reserves were established within existing national parks, with financial assistance from the central government.

Each tiger reserve consists of:

• Core Area: Where human activities are strictly restricted to provide tigers with a safe environment.
• Buffer Zone: Where limited human activities are permitted, but with regulations to reduce disturbance to wildlife.

In 2006, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was created to oversee Project Tiger and ensure its effective implementation.

Tiger Population and Distribution in India

As of 2022-23, India’s tiger population is estimated to be 3,681, spread across 89,000 square kilometers, roughly the size of Jordan. Tigers are found in five major regions:

• Shivalik Hills & Gangetic Plains
• Central Indian Highlands & Eastern Ghats
• Western Ghats
• Northeastern Hills & Brahmaputra floodplains
• Sundarbans

The reserves with the highest tiger populations include:

• Corbett Tiger Reserve: 260 tigers
• Bandipur: 150 tigers
• Nagarhole: 141 tigers
• Bandhavgarh: 135 tigers
• Dudhwa: 135 tigers

Madhya Pradesh has the largest tiger population (785), followed by Karnataka (563), Uttarakhand (560), and Maharashtra (444).

A recent study in Science revealed that only 25% of tigers live within core reserve areas, while nearly 45% of their habitat overlaps with human settlements. This highlights the need for conservation efforts that balance wildlife protection with human development.

Challenges in Tiger Conservation

Despite significant conservation efforts, some reserves struggle with maintaining viable tiger populations. While 26 reserves have more than 50 tigers each, 16 reserves have fewer than five tigers, and some contain only male tigers or none at all. The most affected states include:

• Arunachal Pradesh
• Chhattisgarh
• Jharkhand
• Maharashtra
• Telangana
• Odisha

The Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha has even experienced the local extinction of tigers.

Major Threats to Tigers

Several factors contribute to the challenges of tiger conservation in India:

• Deforestation: Large-scale mining and infrastructure projects lead to habitat loss.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: As human populations expand, competition for land and resources increases.
• Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade: Tigers are often targeted for their skins, bones, and body parts.
• Political Instability: Insurgencies in certain regions make conservation efforts difficult.
• Economic Challenges: Poor socio-economic conditions in areas surrounding reserves can make local support for conservation challenging.

The Way Forward

Creating more tiger reserves like Madhav National Park is a step in the right direction for India’s conservation strategy. However, the bigger challenge is managing human-tiger coexistence, preventing habitat destruction, and ensuring all reserves have healthy tiger populations.

Conservation policies must go beyond just increasing tiger numbers; they should focus on building sustainable habitats where both wildlife and local communities can thrive together. By striking this balance, India can continue to lead in global tiger conservation efforts.