Tiger Reserves

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Tiger Reserves

Tiger Reserves

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A tiger reserve is a specially designated region established under Project Tiger to protect tigers and their natural habitat. These reserves are crucial for conserving the tiger population, maintaining biodiversity, and restoring ecological balance in forest ecosystems.Tiger reserves in India are declared under the provisions of Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, on the advice of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

Each reserve includes:

A core area (usually a national park or sanctuary) with strict protection and minimal human interference.
A buffer area surrounding the core, which permits limited human activity, supports wildlife movement, and promotes habitat conservation.

How is a Tiger Reserve Created?

Site Identification
- The state government selects an area with an existing or potential tiger population, considering habitat quality and ecological viability.
Proposal Preparation
- A detailed proposal is developed, including habitat studies, population assessments, and management strategies. This is submitted to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
NTCA Review and Forwarding
- The NTCA reviews the proposal and, if satisfied, forwards it to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Preliminary Notification
- Upon approval, the state government issues a preliminary notification under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, expressing intent to designate the area as a tiger reserve.
Final Declaration
- After addressing objections and feedback, the state issues a final notification under Section 38V of the Act, formally declaring the tiger reserve.
  - The State Government shall, on the recommendation of the Tiger Conservation Authority, notify an area as a tiger reserve.
Legal Protection Against De-notification
- Under Section 38W, a tiger reserve cannot be de-notified unless it serves the public interest and is approved by both the NTCA and the National Board for Wildlife.

Structure of Tiger Reserves

Tiger reserve includes:

a) 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).

b) 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.

Facts

Nagarjunasagar–Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh): India’s largest tiger reserve .
Bor (Maharashtra), in Wardha District, Maharashtra, is a wildlife sanctuary and the smallest tiger reserve in India, declared in 2014
Madhav Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) is India’s newest tiger reserve (58th).This makes Madhya Pradesh the state with the highest number of tiger reserves, totaling nine.
The tiger abundance within the Tiger Reserve is highest in Corbett (260), followed by Bandipur (150), Nagarhole (141), Bandhavgarh (135) .

Significance of Tiger Reserves

Flagship Species & Ecosystem Health
- Tigers serve as apex predators and keystone species, regulating herbivore populations and maintaining forest structure and biodiversity integrity. Their protection ensures ecosystem-wide stability.
Avoided Deforestation & Climate Co-benefits
- Tiger reserves have prevented approximately 5,800 hectares of forest loss from 2007–2020, avoiding over 1.08 million tonnes CO₂ equivalent emissions. This translates to ecosystem value of US $6.2 million in carbon offsets, rising up to US $92 million when broader ecosystem services are included.
Provision of Ecosystem Services
- Tiger reserves provide critical services: biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, air & water purification, pollination, fuelwood and fodder provisioning, and soil stabilization.
Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation
- Reserves protect intact forest landscapes rich in flora and fauna—including endemic and endangered species such as elephants, rhinos, and ungulates. Examples include central Indian forests, Sundarbans, and Western Ghats.
Population Recovery & Reintroduction Success
- India has nearly doubled its tiger population: from 1,706 in 2010 to approximately 3,682 in 2022, holding about 75% of global wild tigers.
- Reintroductions have restored tigers in areas like Satkosia, Rajaji, Mukundra Hills, and Madhav—demonstrating effective species recovery management.
Ecological Connectivity & Genetic Flow
- Tiger reserves sustain wildlife corridors, enabling genetic exchange among fragmented habitats.
Global Leadership & Conservation Prestige
- India’s trajectory under Project Tiger has made it central to global tiger recovery initiatives. The country now contributes the majority of wild tigers worldwide, establishing a template for flagship species conservation policies

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

Tiger Reserves play a critical role in conserving India’s national animal and maintaining ecological balance. With structured zones, community involvement, and strict legal protections, these reserves are pillars of biodiversity conservation. Strengthening their governance and ensuring sustained funding and scientific management will ensure a secure future for tigers and the ecosystems they support.

FAQs

Q1. What is a Tiger Reserve?

A Tiger Reserve is a specially designated area aimed at conserving the tiger population and its habitat under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. It includes a core zone (critical tiger habitat) and a buffer zone.

Q2. What is the role of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)?

The NTCA reviews proposals for new tiger reserves, ensures scientific management, and approves boundary changes or denotification requests in consultation with the National Board for Wildlife.

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