Tigers in India: Distribution, Tiger Census, Tiger Reserves

India currently holds around 75% of the world’s wild tiger population, making it the global stronghold for tiger conservation. As per the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2022, released in April 2023, India has an estimated 3,167 tigers (minimum estimate). The number may go up to around 3,925 under broader estimation ranges.

This marks a significant increase from:

• 2014: 2,226 tigers
• 2018: 2,967 tigers
• 2022: 3,167 tigers (minimum estimate)

States and Landscapes with Tiger Population

As per the latest report, 23 states in India now have tiger populations (up from 18 states in 2014). India’s tiger habitat is divided into five major Tiger Conservation Landscapes (TCLs):

1. Shivalik Hills & Gangetic Plains
2. Central Indian Landscape & Eastern Ghats
3. Western Ghats
4. North-Eastern Hills & Brahmaputra Flood Plains
5. Sundarbans

State-wise Tiger Population (2022 Highlights)

As per AITE 2022:

• Madhya Pradesh – 785 tigers (Highest in India)
• Karnataka – 563 tigers
• Uttarakhand – 560 tigers
• Maharashtra – 444 tigers
• Tamil Nadu – 306 tigers

(Exact numbers may slightly vary depending on final compiled figures.)

Earlier, Karnataka led in 2014, but Madhya Pradesh now has the highest tiger population.

Largest Tiger Population Complex

The Nagarahole–Bandipur–Mudumalai–Wayanad landscape in the Western Ghats continues to be one of the world’s largest contiguous tiger populations.

• Includes:
  • Nagarahole National Park
  • Bandipur National Park
  • Mudumalai National Park
  • Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

The complex is estimated to hold 600+ tigers, making it one of the most important tiger habitats globally.

Parts of a Tiger Reserve

Each Tiger Reserve consists of:

1. Core (Critical Tiger Habitat)

• Kept inviolate for tiger conservation.
• Rights of Scheduled Tribes and forest dwellers are recognized under the Forest Rights Act.
• No tourism or limited regulated tourism depending on guidelines.

2. Buffer Area

• Surrounds the core area.
• Promotes coexistence between wildlife and local communities.
• Gram Sabha consultation is mandatory in buffer management.

Alteration of Boundaries of Tiger Reserves

• Done through notification by State Governments.
• Requires prior approval of:
  • National Tiger Conservation Authority
  • National Board for Wildlife
• State Governments can de-notify a tiger reserve only with prior approval from both authorities.

Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF)

• A Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
• Central Government provides financial assistance for raising, arming and deploying STPF in sensitive reserves.
• Karnataka was the first state to raise the STPF.

India’s Tiger Reserves – Updated Status

As of 2024:

India has 54 Tiger Reserves (up from 48 in 2016).

• The first reserve under Project Tiger (1973) was:
  • Jim Corbett National Park
• Largest Tiger Reserve (by Area)
  • Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
• Smallest Tiger Reserve (by Area)
  • Bor Tiger Reserve

Tiger Reserves with Special Status

• Manas Tiger Reserve – UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Similipal Tiger Reserve – UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
• Sundarbans Tiger Reserve – UNESCO World Heritage Site & Biosphere Reserve

Manas Tiger Reserve remains one of the few tiger reserves that is both a Tiger Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.