Project Tiger

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Project Tiger

Project Tiger

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Launched in 1973, Project Tiger is a centrally sponsored scheme by the Government of India aimed at conserving the endangered tiger (Panthera tigris) and its natural habitat. It marked a watershed moment in India’s wildlife conservation history and continues to be one of the largest species-focused conservation programs globally.
The tiger reserves are constituted on a core/buffer strategy. The core areas have the legal status of a national park or a sanctuary, whereas the buffer or peripheral areas are a mix of forest and non-forest land, managed as a multiple use area. The Project Tiger aims to foster an exclusive tiger agenda in the core areas of tiger reserves, with an inclusive people oriented agenda in the buffer.
It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change providing central assistance to the tiger States for tiger conservation in designated tiger reserves.

Objectives

To ensure maintenance of available population of Tigers in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and epological value
To preserve, for all times, the areas of such biological importance as a national heritage for the benefit,’education and enjoyment of the people.

Expansion & Spatial Coverage

Starting with 9 Tiger Reserves, Project Tiger has grown to 58 reserves across 18 states as of 2025, covering around 2.2–2.3% of India’s land area.

Tiger Reserves

Tiger reserves are areas that are notified for the protection of the tiger and its prey, and are governed by Project Tiger which was launched in the country in 1973.

Tiger reserve includes:
- Core zone
  - Critical tiger habitat areas established, on the basis of scientific and objective criteria.
  - These areas are required to be kept as inviolate for the purpose of tiger conservation, without affecting the rights of the Scheduled Tribe or such other forest dwellers.
  - These areas are notified by the State Covernment in consultation with an Expert Committee (constituted for that purpose).
- Buffer zone
  - Peripheral area to critical tiger habitat or core area, where a lesser degree of habitat protection is required to ensure the integrity of the critical tiger habitat with adequate dispersal for tiger species.
  - It aims at promoting co-existence between wildlife and human activity with due recognition of the livelihood, developmental, social and cultural rights of the local people.
  - The limits of such areas are determined on the basis of scientific and objective criteria in consultation with the concerned Gram Sabha and an Expert Committee constituted for the purpose.
Alteration and Denotification of Tiger Reserves
- No alteration in the boundaries of a tiger reserve shall be made except on a recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the approval of the National Board for Wild Life.
- No State Government shall de-notify a tiger reserve, except in public interest with the approval of the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the approval of the National Board for Wild Life.

List of Tiger Reserves

Sl No	Tiger Reserve (TR)	State	TR Notification Year
1	Bandipur	Karnataka	2007
2	Corbett	Uttarakhand	2010
	Amanagarh buffer	Uttar Pradesh	2012
3	Kanha	Madhya Pradesh	2007
4	Manas	Assam	2008
5	Melghat	Maharashtra	2007
6	Palamau	Jharkhand	2012
7	Ranthambore	Rajasthan	2007
8	Simlipal	Orissa	2007
9	Sunderban	West Bengal	2007
10	Periyar	Kerala	2007
11	Sariska	Rajasthan	2007
12	Buxa	West Bengal	2009
13	Indravati	Chattisgarh	2009
14	Namdapha	Arunachal Pradesh	1987
15	Nagarjunsagar Sagar	Andhra Pradesh	2007
16	Dudhwa	Uttar Pradesh	2010
17	Kalakad Mundanthurai	Tamil Nadu	2007
18	Valmiki	Bihar	2012
19	Pench	Madhy Pradesh	2007
20	Tadobha Andhari	Maharashtra	2007
21	Bandhavgarh	Madhy Pradesh	2007
22	Panna	Madhy Pradesh	2007
23	Dampa	Mizoram	2007
24	Bhadra	Karnataka	2007
25	Pench – MH	Maharashtra	2007
26	Pakke	Arunachal Pradesh	2012
27	Nameri	Assam	2000
28	Satpura	Madhya Pradesh	2007
29	Anamalai	Tamil Nadu	2007
30	Udanti Sitanadi	Chattisgarh	2009
31	Satkoshia	Odisha	2007
32	Kaziranga	Assam	2007
33	Achanakmar	Chattisgarh	2009
34	Kali	Karnataka	2007
35	Sanjay Dhubri	Madhya Pradesh	2011
36	Mudumalai	Tamil Nadu	2007
37	Nagarhole	Karnataka	2007
38	Parambikulam	Kerala	2009
39	Sahyadri	Maharashtra	2012
40	Biligiri Ranganatha Temple	Karnataka	2007
41	Kawal	Telangana	2012
42	Sathyamangalam	Tamil Nadu	2013
43	Mukundara	Rajasthan	2013
44	Nawegaon Nagzira	Maharashtra	2013
45	Amrabad	Telangana	2015
46	Pilibhit	Uttar Pradesh	2014
47	Bor	Maharashtra	2012
48	Rajaji	Uttarakhand	2015
49	Orang	Assam	2016
50	Kamlang	Arunachal Pradesh	2017
51	Srivilliputhur Megamalai	Tamil Nadu	2021
52	Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve	Rajasthan	2022
53	Ranipur Tiger Reserve	Uttar Pradesh	2022
54	Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve	Madhya Pradesh	2023
55	Dholpur – Karauli Tiger Reserve	Rajasthan	2023
56	Guru Ghasidas – Tamor Pingla Tiger Resereve	Chhattisgarh	2024
57	Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary	Madhya Pradesh	2024
58	Madhav National Park	Madhya Pradesh	2025

Major Achievements

Dramatic Population Recovery
- The wild tiger population rose from 1,411 tigers in 2006 to approximately 3,682 in 2022, marking a 161% gain over 16 years—a triumphant comeback. India now houses nearly 75% of the world’s wild tigers.
- India achieved the global “TX2” target of doubling its tiger numbers by 2022, succeeding ahead of schedule.
Expansion of Tiger Reserves
- Originally designated with 9 reserves in 1973, the network has now grown to 58 tiger reserves across 18 states, covering nearly 2.2–2.3% of India’s land area.
Scientific Monitoring & Anti-Poaching Tools
- Deployment of M-STrIPES, thermal imaging, camera traps, and wireless field units for real-time monitoring and surveillance in reserves.
- Establishment of State Tiger Protection Forces to combat poaching and enforce core zone integrity.
Success Stories in Population Restoration
- Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (UP) received the global TX2 award for doubling its tiger population in a short timeframe (from ~30s to 60+ tigers).
- Reintroduction efforts, such as relocating tigers from Kanha to Satkosia, demonstrated successful recovery of locally extinct populations.
Ecosystem Protection & Biodiversity Gains
- By safeguarding core tiger habitats, Project Tiger also protects entire ecosystems—preserving rare plant and animal species, critical watersheds, and ecosystem services.
Socio-Economic & Eco-Tourism Gains
- Tiger reserves generate major eco-tourism revenue—benefiting local economies in areas like Ranthambore, Corbett, and Tadoba, while providing jobs and livelihoods in buffer zones.

Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to protect India’s national animal and preserve its natural habitat. Since its inception with 9 reserves, the initiative has now expanded to 58 designated tiger reserves across 18 states, covering around 2.3% of the country.By adopting a core-buffer strategy and involving local communities, the project not only ensures the survival of tigers but also promotes ecological balance and sustainable development. The role of institutions like the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has further strengthened oversight and scientific management. Going forward, Project Tiger remains crucial in securing biodiversity, enhancing habitat protection, and showcasing India’s global leadership in wildlife conservation.

FAQs

Q1. What is Project Tiger?

Project Tiger is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched by the Government of India in 1973 to ensure the conservation of tigers and their habitats through scientifically planned management and protection measures.

Q2. What are the main objectives of Project Tiger?

The main objectives include conserving a viable tiger population, protecting natural habitats, preventing poaching, and involving local communities in conservation.

Q3. What is the core-buffer strategy under Project Tiger?

Each tiger reserve consists of a core area (legally protected as a national park or sanctuary) for exclusive conservation and a buffer area (mixed-use land) for eco-development and community participation.

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