India is home to a significant portion of the global tiger population, with over 75% of the world's tigers residing in the country. Tigers are an essential part of India's cultural and natural heritage, playing a crucial role in maintaining the health and diversity of ecosystems. India is also known as the "Home of Bengal Tigers (Panthera Tigris Tigris)" and other endangered species. It is also the national animal of India.
As of 2022, India's wild tiger population was estimated to be 3,682, compared to 2,967 in 2018. This accounts for more than 75% of the global tiger population. India has 55 tiger reserves across 16 states, reflecting its strong commitment to wildlife conservation. In 1973, Project Tiger was launched to ensure a viable population of tigers in their natural habitats. In 2005, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was established to oversee the implementation of Project Tiger and various conservation initiatives.
Here is a state-wise list of all tiger reserves in India, showcasing the country's commitment to wildlife conservation:
1. Madhya Pradesh:
Madhya Pradesh has six tiger reserves: Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench, Panna, Satpura, and Sanjay Dubri. The 2022 census found 785 unique tigers in Madhya Pradesh, part of India's "Tiger State." According to the 2022 tiger census, Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh had the highest density of tigers in the state. Recently, Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve became the seventh tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh. The reserve covers a total area of 2,339 square kilometres and spans the districts of Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur.
2. Karnataka:
The state has five tiger reserves: Bandipur, Bhadra, Nagarahole, Dandeli-Anshi, and BRT Tiger Reserves. Karnataka has the second-highest tiger population in India with 524 tigers.
3. Uttarakhand:
Uttarakhand has two tiger reserves, Jim Corbett National Park and Rajaji Tiger Reserve. According to the 2022 data, Jim Corbett National Park has the highest tiger density with 260 tigers. Altogether, Uttarakhand has 560 tigers.
4. Maharashtra:
Maharashtra has six tiger reserves: Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary, Pench Tiger Reserve, Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve, and Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. Pench Tiger Reserve is one of the dominant tiger reserves in India. The state has 444 tigers.
5. Tamil Nadu:
Tamil Nadu has four tiger reserves: Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, and Sathiyamangalam Tiger Reserve. The Annamalai Tiger Reserve offers opportunities to explore scenic spots like the Grass Hills, Anaikunthi Shola, and Karian Shola. The state has 306 tigers.
6. Assam:
Assam has four tiger reserves: Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, Nameri Tiger Reserve, Orang Tiger Reserve, and Manas Tiger Reserve. Kaziranga National Park covers an area of approximately 430 square kilometres, located on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River in Assam. Kaziranga landscape has the single largest population of tigers (135) in the Northeast. Manas National Park and Kaziranga National Park are known for their Project Tigers, rhinos, and elephants. According to the 2022 data, Assam has 227 tigers.
7. Kerala:
Kerala has three tiger reserves: Periyar Tiger Reserve, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the most well-known wildlife sanctuaries in India. Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is also known for its successful community-based conservation efforts, involving local tribes in forest protection and sustainable tourism. The state has 213 tigers.
8. Uttar Pradesh:
Uttar Pradesh has three tiger reserves: Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, and Amangarh Tiger Reserve. The NTCA data shows over 100 tigers in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and 65 tigers in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve. The state has a total of 205 tigers.
9. West Bengal:
West Bengal has two tiger reserves: Sundarbans and Buxa Tiger Reserve in Alipurduar district. The Sundarbans are the only mangrove habitat in the world for Bengal tigers. The Sundarbans is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and National Park that covers 10,000 square kilometres of land and water in the Ganges delta. The area is a maze of islands, estuaries, river channels, and creeks, and is densely covered by mangrove forests. According to a camera trap census, 101 tigers are there in the Sundarbans.
10. Rajasthan:
Rajasthan has five tiger reserves: Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Sariska Tiger Reserve, Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve, Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve, and Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve. Ranthambore was the first tiger reserve in India and was once a hunting ground for royals. Many pictures of tigers in Indian tourism ads are likely taken in Ranthambore. The state has 88 tigers.
12. Bihar:
Valmiki Tiger Reserve forms the easternmost limit of the Himalayan Terai forests in India and is the only tiger reserve in Bihar. In 2022, the Valmiki Tiger Reserve recorded a 75% increase in tiger count, from 31 in 2018 to 54 in 2022.
13. Telangana:
Telangana has two tiger reserves: Kawal Tiger Reserve and Amrabad Tiger Reserve. The Government of India declared Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve in 2012. Amrabad Tiger Reserve was part of Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve but post-bifurcation, the northern part of the reserve is vested with Telangana state. According to the 2022 data, Telangana has 21 tigers.
14. Odisha:
Odisha has two tiger reserves: Simlipal Tiger Reserve and Satkosia Tiger Reserve. The state has a total of 20 tigers.
15. Arunachal Pradesh:
Arunachal Pradesh has three tiger reserves: Kamlang Tiger Reserve, Namdapha Tiger Reserve, and Pakke Tiger Reserve. Despite these reserves, the state has only 9 tigers.
16. Jharkhand:
Jharkhand has one tiger reserve, Palamau Tiger Reserve. According to the NTCA data in 2022, the state has only one tiger.
India’s extensive network of tiger reserves and dedicated conservation efforts have played a significant role in increasing the tiger population over the years. The country’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage is evident in its ongoing initiatives and strategies aimed at ensuring a viable and thriving tiger population.
