Before diving into these topics, let’s first understand the tiger itself. The scientific name of the tiger is Panthera tigris, and it is classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Endangered species are those that are at high risk of extinction in the near future. IUCN is a global organization that works towards nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, with its headquarters in Gland, Switzerland.

Photo by Blake Meyer on Unsplash

India plays a crucial role in tiger conservation, with a significant portion of the global tiger population residing within its borders. The total number of tiger reserves in India has increased over the years as part of the country’s commitment to preserving this endangered species. As of now, there are 53 tiger reserves in India, which are part of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) initiative. These protected areas play a vital role in ensuring the safety and survival of tigers. The government has been proactive in strengthening the management of these tiger reserves, continually working to increase the total number of tiger reserves in India to maintain the balance of this delicate ecosystem. These efforts continue to contribute to the recovery of the tiger population in India and beyond, making India home to 75% of the world’s tigers.

Why do we need to conserve tigers?

Various projects are being undertaken globally to conserve tigers, and an international committee has been formed to support these efforts. But why is so much effort dedicated to protecting this one species? The reason lies in the tiger’s critical role in maintaining the health and diversity of an ecosystem. As a top predator, the tiger is at the apex of the food chain and plays an essential role in controlling the populations of herbivores, thus preventing overgrazing and ensuring the survival of vegetation. The tiger’s presence helps maintain a balance between herbivores and the vegetation they consume, promoting biodiversity in the ecosystem.

The extinction of this apex predator signals a breakdown in the ecosystem, as it indicates that the lower levels of the food chain may also be in danger. Without tigers, herbivores such as deer and wild boar can proliferate unchecked, which can lead to overgrazing, damaging forests and grasslands, and disrupting the habitat of numerous other species. Thus, the loss of tigers would have a cascading effect, leading to the collapse of the entire ecosystem.

Given the tiger’s crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, conservation efforts have gained significant momentum. In India, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has launched several initiatives, and the government has continuously increased the number of tiger reserves in India to protect these majestic creatures. The total number of tiger reserves in India has increased in recent years, now numbering over 50, each playing a vital role in the conservation of tigers. These reserves not only provide a safe haven for tigers but also support the protection of other species and the overall health of the forest ecosystem. As a result, efforts to protect tigers are not just about saving one species but about preserving the intricate balance of the entire ecosystem. It is essential to protect tiger reserves in India and safeguard the health of the ecosystem at any cost.

How Tigers Have Become an Endangered Species

Tiger populations are under severe threat, driving this iconic species closer to the brink of endangerment and extinction. As apex predators, tigers play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of ecosystems by regulating prey populations, which, in turn, supports the biodiversity of entire habitats. Their declining numbers not only endanger the species but also destabilize natural ecosystems, making tiger conservation efforts essential to preserving biodiversity and ecological health.

• Poaching: Poaching, or illegal hunting, is one of the most significant and immediate threats to wild tigers. Despite conservation efforts, poaching remains a major issue because tiger parts, including skins, bones, and organs, are highly valued in illegal wildlife trade, particularly for traditional medicines and status symbols. Poaching has devastating effects on the tiger population, as even a few losses can greatly impact small, isolated tiger groups. To protect tiger reserves in India, anti-poaching measures and strict law enforcement have been implemented, but this illegal activity still requires constant vigilance to ensure the survival of the species.

• Habitat Loss: Due to rapid urbanization and an ever-growing human population, tigers have lost an estimated 93% of their historical range globally. This habitat loss restricts tigers to smaller, fragmented areas, leading to increased competition for resources and limited territory space for hunting and breeding. As human encroachment continues, more forests are being converted into agricultural or commercial lands, shrinking the area for tiger reserves in India. Expanding the total number of tiger reserves in India and ensuring habitat connectivity are vital steps in protecting the remaining wild tiger population and supporting their natural behavior and breeding patterns.

• Human-Wildlife Conflict: The shrinking of forests and protected areas has intensified human-wildlife conflict, as tigers are forced to leave their territories in search of food, water, and space. As they stray into human settlements, they may attack livestock or, in rare cases, humans, leading to retaliatory killings. Such conflicts are increasingly common near tiger reserves in India, where people live close to wildlife habitats. Conservation programs work to manage these conflicts by creating buffer zones, implementing compensation programs for livestock losses, and educating communities on coexistence strategies. Reducing human-wildlife conflict is essential to preserving the total number of tiger reserves in India and ensuring a safe environment for both humans and tigers.

Tiger Reserves in India

Tiger populations are under severe threat, driving this iconic species closer to the brink of endangerment and potential extinction. As apex predators, tigers play an irreplaceable role in maintaining the health and balance of ecosystems. They regulate prey populations such as deer, boar, and other herbivores, which, if left unchecked, could overgraze vegetation, resulting in habitat degradation. This ecological role makes the presence of tigers essential, as their impact extends to various species within the habitat, supporting the overall biodiversity of forests and grasslands.

The decline in tiger numbers not only jeopardizes the species itself but also destabilizes the entire ecosystem, affecting the intricate food chain and natural balance. This is why tiger conservation is critical, not only to preserve this majestic animal but also to protect the ecosystems that rely on their presence. To combat these threats, tiger reserves in India have been established as safe zones where tigers can live, hunt, and breed without the interference of poaching, habitat destruction, and other threats. There are currently 53 tiger reserves in India, strategically located to preserve and protect tiger populations.

The total number of tiger reserves in India has increased over recent years, with government and wildlife organizations working together to ensure that these protected areas are well-managed and well-protected. Expanding the total number of tiger reserves in India and enhancing anti-poaching and habitat restoration measures are crucial steps to ensure that future generations can witness tigers thriving in their natural habitat, symbolizing hope for biodiversity conservation and ecological health.

MAP Showing Locations of Tiger Reserves in India

Project Tiger

Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in April 1973 to safeguard the country’s dwindling tiger population and conserve critical habitats. It operates as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The project provides central assistance to support and enhance tiger conservation efforts across designated tiger reserves in India. At its inception, Project Tiger began with just 9 reserves but has since expanded significantly in response to ongoing conservation needs.

Today, the total number of tiger reserves in India has risen to 53, covering diverse landscapes across 18 states. These reserves serve as protected areas where tigers and other species can thrive in their natural habitats, safeguarded from threats like poaching, habitat destruction, and human encroachment. The increase in tiger reserves in India reflects a commitment to preserving tiger populations and biodiversity. Project Tiger has played a pivotal role in creating and managing these reserves, implementing habitat management practices, anti-poaching efforts, and initiatives to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.

With a strong focus on scientific research, monitoring, and sustainable practices, Project Tiger continues to be a cornerstone of India’s conservation strategy, contributing to the survival of this endangered species. Expanding the total number of tiger reserves in India has not only helped protect tigers but has also highlighted the critical importance of protecting entire ecosystems for sustainable biodiversity.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body under India’s Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, established to ensure the protection and conservation of tigers across the country. Formed under Section 38 L (1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA), the NTCA operates with a clear mandate and legal authority derived from Section 38 O (1) of the WLPA, empowering it to oversee all matters related to tiger conservation, protection, and sustainable management.

The NTCA is structured to function under the leadership of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and a team of appointed members. The Cabinet Minister of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change serves as the Chairperson, while the Minister of State takes on the role of Vice-Chairperson, supported by experts in wildlife and ecology. Together, they guide policies, allocate resources, and monitor conservation efforts within designated tiger reserves, playing a crucial role in ensuring that tiger populations in India are safeguarded against threats like poaching, habitat destruction, and human encroachment.

International Tigers Day

International Tigers Day is celebrated annually on July 29. The purpose is to raise awareness about the need to protect tigers. This year’s theme is “Their survival is in our hands”.  It was first celebrated on July 29, 2010, where a number of countries signed an agreement at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit, Russia. According to the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the current population of the tiger is 3,900. 

53rd Tiger Reserve- Guru Ghasidas National Park

National Tiger Conservation Authority has designated the combined area of Guru Ghasidas National Park (Sanjay National Park) and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary as India’s 53rd Tiger Reserve. With this, Chattisgarh has now a total of 4 Tiger Reserves in total

Know about Guru Ghasidas National Park in detail.

• The Guru Ghasidas National Park, previously known as Sanjay National Park, is located in the districts of Koriya and Surguja in northern Chhattisgarh.
• Guru Ghasidas National Park connects Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh and provides a corridor for tigers to move between the Babdavgarh and Palamau Tiger Reserves.
• It is located on the Chhotanagpur plateau and a portion of the Baghelkhand plateau, bordering Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.
• Flora: The vegetation is mostly mixed deciduous forest with teak, sal, and bamboo trees.
• Fauna:Tiger, Leopard, Chital, Nilgai, Sambar, Four-horned Antelope and others.
• It covers an area of 2898.70 square kilometres

52nd Tiger Reserve- Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary

India got its 52^nd tiger reserve in Rajasthan after consistent tiger conservation efforts. The Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary in Rajasthan has become the 52^nd tiger reserve after getting the green signal from the National Tiger Conservation Authority. With this, Rajasthan now has four tiger reserves in total after Ranthambore, Sariska and Mukundra tiger reserves.

Know about Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary

• The Ramgarh Sanctuary is like a buffer area of the Ranthambore National Park.
• The Ramgarh sanctuary covers an area of around 252 square kilometres.
• Wild animals that can be found in this area are- the Indian wolf, leopard, striped hyena, sloth bear, golden jackal, chinkara, nilgai among others.

List of Tiger Reserves in India

Tiger reserves in India are divided into two main zones: the Core Area and the Buffer Area. The Core Area, also known as the Critical Tiger Habitat, is designated by the state government and is strictly protected, providing a safe and undisturbed environment essential for tiger breeding and survival. Surrounding this is the Buffer Area, a peripheral zone allowing limited human activity, which helps mitigate human-wildlife conflict and supports local livelihoods.

Important points from the exam point of view:

1.  Top five states with the maximum number of tigers: Madhya Pradesh – 526 tigers, Karnataka – 524 tigers, Uttarakhand – 442 tigers, Maharashtra – 312 tigers and Tamil Nadu – 264 tigers.

2.  Corbett Tiger Reserve has the highest number of tigers in India (231 tigers).

3. Corbett Tiger Reserve has Jim Corbett National Park which is the first and oldest National Park in India, established in 1936 (as Hailey National Park).

4. Buffer area of Corbett Tiger Reserve is known as Amangarh Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh.

5.First National Park to come under Project Tiger is the Jim Corbett National Park.

6. Bor Tiger Reserve is area wise the smallest tiger reserve in India.

7. Nagarjuna Sagar Sagar Tiger reserve is area wise the largest tiger reserve in India.

So this was it for the Tiger Reserves in India. This topic is beneficial for exams like IBPS RRB PO/Clerk, IBPS PO/Clerk, SSC CGL/CHSL/CPO, Railways NTPC/Group D and others. 

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