Tiger Conservation in India UPSC Notes: State Wise List, Threats & More

Tiger Conservation in India has been one of the most important components of the policies formulated by the Environment Ministry of the central government as well as the various state governments. Particularly in the last few decades, right after the Tiger Conservation Project was initiated in 1972, the population of Tiger has increased by a significant amount, which ultimately has an impact on the environmental conservation efforts of India. 

Tiger conservation in India is one of the most important topics for UPSC IAS Examination. 

In this article on Tiger conservation in India, we shall discuss basic details about the Tiger, its IUCN status, the Habitat of the Tiger, Steps taken by the government of India for Tiger Conservation, and more. We shall also discuss some of the international initiatives for Tiger protection. This will be very useful for aspirants in the UPSC Prelims Exam.

Recent Updates on Tiger Conservation in India

India continues to be a global leader in tiger conservation efforts. Here's a quick update:

• Positive Population Growth: As of March 2024, India has an estimated 3,682 wild tigers, which is almost 75% of the world's wild tiger population. This marks a significant increase since Project Tiger's inception in 1973.
• Project Tiger Success: Project Tiger, a major wildlife conservation initiative by the Indian government, is a key driver of this success. Established tiger reserves provide protected habitats for these magnificent creatures. The number of tiger reserves has grown from 9 in 1973 to 55 in March 2024.
• Reintroduction Efforts: India has successfully reintroduced tigers in reserves like Sariska and Panna, demonstrating their commitment to restoring tiger populations.

List of Tiger Reserves in India

There are 55 Tiger reserves in India which are depicted in tabular form as below:

State Wise List of Tiger Reserves in India
Name of the State	Tiger Reserve
Andhra Pradesh	Nagarjuna Sagar
Arunachal Pradesh	Namdapha
	Kamlang
	Pakke (Pakhui)
Assam	Manas
	Nameri
	Kaziranga
	Orang
Bihar	Valmiki
Chattisgarh	Achanakmar
	Indravati
	Udanti Sitanadi
Jharkhand	Palamau
Karnataka	Bandipur
	Bhadra
	Dandeli-Anshi (Kali)
	Nagarahole
	Biligiri Ranganatha Temple
Kerala	Periyar
	Parambikulam
Madhya Pradesh	Kanha
	Satpura
	Pench
	Panna
	Bandhavgarh
	Sanjay-Dubri
	Veerangana Durgavati
Maharashtra	Melghat
	Pench - MH
	Tadoba-Andhari
	Sahyadri
	Bor
	Navegaon-Nagzira
Mizoram	Dampa
Odisha	Simlipal
	Satkosia
Rajasthan	Ranthambhore
	Sariska
	Ramgarh Vishdhari
	Dholpur – Karauli
	Mukundra Hills
Tamil Nadu	Kalakkad Mundanthurai
	Anamalai
	Mudumalai
	Srivilliputhur Megamalai
	Sathyamangalam
Telangana	Kawal
	Amrabad
Uttar Pradesh	Dudhwa
	Pilibhit
	Ranipur
	Amangarh (buffer of CTR)
Uttarakhand	Corbett
	Rajaji
West Bengal	Sunderbans
	Buxa

Also, study in detail about the Global Tiger Forum for UPSC preparation!

Threats to Tiger Population in India

Primary threats include habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching for illegal wildlife trade, and human-wildlife conflict, exacerbated by rapid development and insufficient enforcement of wildlife protection laws.

• Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Rapid deforestation, urbanization, and human encroachment are significantly reducing and dividing tiger habitats. It limits their roaming space and isolates populations, which impacts their ability to find prey and mates.
• Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade: Tigers are targeted for their body parts, highly valued in illegal markets for traditional medicine and luxury goods. Additionally, the poaching of prey species reduces food availability, causing malnutrition and weakening tiger populations.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Proximity to human settlements leads to tigers preying on livestock, resulting in retaliatory killings by villagers. These fatal encounters increase as tigers enter villages searching for food, creating a hostile environment for their conservation.
• Inadequate Management of Protected Areas: Inefficient management, insufficient funding, and lack of proper patrolling make tiger reserves vulnerable to poaching and other illegal activities, compromising the effectiveness of these protected areas.
• Climate Change: Increasing temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events degrade tiger habitats, affecting prey availability, water sources, and the overall suitability of habitats, thereby challenging the long-term survival of tiger populations.

Also, study Environment UPSC Notes with this link!

Conservation Efforts for Tigers in India

Efforts include initiatives like Project Tiger and the All India Tiger Estimation, which focus on habitat preservation, anti-poaching activities, community involvement, and international cooperation to protect and increase the tiger population.

Project Tiger

Project Tiger was launched in 1973. It is a flagship conservation program aimed at safeguarding tiger habitats and ensuring a viable tiger population. Starting with nine reserves, the number of tiger reserves has expanded to 50 by 2023, covering 72,749 square kilometers. Intensive habitat management practices include water hole construction, meadow development, and prey base enhancement.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

NTCA, established in 2006, provides statutory authority to ensure the enforcement of guidelines for tiger conservation and monitoring. Key measures include the Monitoring System for Tigers-Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-STrIPES) program. This is a GIS-based monitoring system for effective patrolling, data collection, and intelligence gathering. Eco-development activities are also promoted to reduce human-tiger conflict and promote sustainable livelihoods for local communities living around tiger habitats.

All India Tiger Estimation

This scientific survey is conducted every four years to assess tiger population and distribution across the country. According to the 2018 Tiger Census, India is home to 2,967 tigers, accounting for 70% of the global tiger population, with the next census results expected in 2023. The survey uses camera traps, GIS mapping, and DNA analysis to track tiger numbers and movements, ensuring accurate and reliable data collection.

Check out this article on the National Green Tribunal for the UPSC Exam!

Anti-Poaching Initiatives

The government has implemented multi-faceted strategies to curb poaching and illegal wildlife trade. This includes the deployment of specialized armed forces, known as the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF). The force is trained to tackle poaching threats in sensitive tiger reserves. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), a statutory multi-disciplinary body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is tasked with combating wildlife crime.

Habitat Connectivity and Corridor Conservation

Efforts to preserve ecological corridors and ensure landscape-level conservation have been prioritized. The government has identified and secured 32 major tiger corridors to ensure genetic flow between tiger populations. Voluntary relocation of villages from critical tiger habitats is facilitated to reduce human disturbance and enhance habitat connectivity.

Policy and Legislative Support

Strengthening legal frameworks to support tiger conservation is crucial. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, provides the legislative framework for wildlife protection. It includes stringent penalties for poaching and habitat destruction. The National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031) outlines strategies for habitat restoration, management of human-wildlife conflict, and enhancement of linkages between wildlife habitats.

Also, check out the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) here.

International Cooperation for Tiger Conservation

India has taken significant steps to combat transboundary illegal wildlife trade and promote conservation through international agreements

• To control transboundary illegal wildlife trade and promote conservation, India entered into a bilateral agreement with Nepal.
• India also signed a tiger conservation protocol with China, demonstrating their commitment to protecting this endangered species.
• To preserve tiger populations in the Sundarban region, India established a conservation protocol with Bangladesh.
• India and Russia have collaborated to form a group dedicated to conserving tigers and leopards.
• India is an active participant in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, emphasizing its commitment to wildlife preservation on the global stage.
• India maintains a stance against the captive breeding of tigers, focusing on the protection and conservation of these majestic creatures in their natural habitats.

Check out this article on the Conservation of Biodiversity for the UPSC Exam!

Facts about Tiger in India

• Tiger is identified as an endangered species under the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Flora and Fauna.
• Also, it is identified under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
• Around 70% of the Global Tiger population is located in India.
• Nagpur is known as the tiger capital of India.
• The Vidarbha region of India, which also includes the Nagpur division, has 13 Tiger reserves alone.
• The forested regions and the climatic conditions in and around the Vidarbha region are very suitable for tigers.
• The first White Tigers Sanctuary was inaugurated in Madhya Pradesh in 2016.
• In Indian Culture, Tiger has been associated with bravery and valour, symbolizing fierceness, magnificence, power, and beauty.
• The Indian Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. The Indo-Chinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti) is found mostly in Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia but also Myanmar, Southern China, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
• The Indian Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
• The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), also called the Indian tiger or the Royal Bengal tiger, is native to the Indian subcontinent. Although it once roamed a much larger area, the Bengal is currently found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
• The Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti), also known as Corbett’s tiger, is named in honor of the famous British hunter Jim Corbett, who was often enlisted to hunt down man-eating tigers and leopards early in the 20th century.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants Project Tiger: Launched in 1973, Project Tiger has been instrumental in increasing tiger populations by expanding protected reserves and implementing effective management practices. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): Established in 2006, NTCA provides statutory authority for ensuring the enforcement of conservation guidelines, monitoring tiger populations, and managing habitat preservation efforts. All India Tiger Estimation (Tiger Census): Conducted every four years, this census uses advanced techniques to provide accurate data on tiger numbers and distribution, with the 2018 survey reporting 2,967 tigers in India. Anti-Poaching Measures: Initiatives like the Special Tiger Protection Force and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau aim to reduce poaching incidents through rigorous patrolling, intelligence networks, and legal enforcement. Habitat Connectivity and Corridor Conservation: Efforts focus on preserving ecological corridors and enhancing landscape-level conservation, which includes the relocation of villages from critical tiger habitats to reduce human-tiger conflicts. Community Involvement and Eco-Tourism: Programs aim to involve local communities in conservation efforts, promote eco-tourism, and balance sustainable development with wildlife protection, thus generating economic benefits and fostering conservation awareness. Policy and Legislative Support: Robust legal frameworks like the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and strategic plans like the National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031) provide comprehensive support for wildlife conservation policies and enforcement. International Cooperation: Collaboration with global organizations and neighboring countries, through platforms like the Global Tiger Forum, supports transboundary conservation efforts, sharing of best practices, and coordinated action plans.

We hope that all your doubts regarding Tiger Conservation in India will be cleared after going through this article. You can download the Testbook App now to check out various other topics relevant to the UPSC IAS Exam.