Tiger Reserves

India is home to about 70% of the global wild tiger population. The Government of India launched Project Tiger in 1973, as a part of tiger conservation efforts. The initiative led to the establishment of dedicated tiger reserves — protected areas specifically designated for the conservation of tigers and its habitats, with the objective of ensuring a viable natural population of tigers. The National Tiger Conservation Authority was established in 2005 for the management of these tiger reserves. Each tiger reserve consists of a proteced core zone, free from human activity, and a buffer zone, where sustainable activities and regulated tourism are allowed.

As of 2025, there are 58 tiger reserves, covering 84,500 km2 (32,600 sq mi). The wild tiger population, which was recorded at 1,411 individuals in 2006, had grown to 3,682 in 2022. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have the most number of tiger reserves with six each. Nagarjunasagar Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, covering 3,296.31 km2 (1,272.71 sq mi), is the largest by area while the smallest is Orang in Assam, with an area of 492 km2 (190 sq mi). Jim Corbett holds the largest population of tigers (231), while no tigers were recorded in the Dampa, Buxa, and Palamau tiger reserves.

Project Tiger was initiated in 1973 as per the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the Government of India. Under the project, dedicated protected areas called tiger reserves, were initiated to protect the Bengal tiger and its habitats. These reserves were established with an aim to ensure a viable, healthy population of wild tigers in India, free-ranging in their natural habitat.[1] In 2006, the National Tiger Conservation Authority was established to administer the tiger reserves.