The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the largest living feline species and is a member of the genus Panthera and the NationalI I animal of India. It is best recognised by the dark vertical stripes of orange fur with a white underside. It is an apex predator and mainly hunts deer and wild boar. According to the IUCN Red List, tigers are designated as endangered. In 2015, the world’s wild tiger population was estimated to be between 3,062 and 3,948 adults, with most populations living in small isolated niches. The establishment of numerous tiger reserves in India currently hosts the largest tiger population.
Major threats to the tiger population
Tigers are mainly found in tropical forests of Asia. Recent reports from various international organisations show that tiger populations are declining. The main threats this species faces include poaching, habitat destruction, and habitat fragmentation. Tigers are also victims of human-wildlife conflict, especially in densely populated countries.
The three main reasons are
Man tiger conflicts
Human activity has caused the tiger population to lose its habitat.
Habitat loss has led to a decrease in their prey species. They are often seen coming out of the forest to the village, searching for prey and attacking pets and people. Tigers are often killed in revenge by angry humans.
Only 11 % of tiger habitat remains in India due to habitat fragmentation.
Poaching, hunting, and illegal trading
Tiger hunting has long been a major problem facing tiger hunting. Hunting is considered a status symbol.
People used tiger bones and teeth for commercial purposes, also known as illegal trade.
Body parts are also used for medicinal purposes. This has caused the largest decline in tiger populations since the 1930s.
Poaching for body parts and fur is the next threat to the remaining tiger population.
Anthropogenic activities
Destruction of habitat is the most important threat of deviated threats to continue the domestic tiger population.
Man and animals compete to find their habitat. Tiger requires a large territory. In addition to habitats, tigers also experienced significant losses of populations of prey species such as antelopes and deer.
Man acquired forest areas for human deposits and industrial activities. This ultimately led to the complete destruction of animal habitats. The same affects climatic conditions and harmony and threatens the existence of people.
The Kenbetova River Connection Project, which aims to irrigate the drought-stricken Bundelkhand region, is also a reason for the declining population of Indian tigers. According to wildlife experts, the nearby Panna Tiger Sanctuary will have a more significant impact throughout the project.
How many tiger reserves are there in India?
As of today, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has a total of 54 tiger reserves in India (51 established and 3 have been agreed to start in the near future).
Sl. No. | State | Name of Tiger Reserve |
1 | Andhra Pradesh | Nagarjunsagar Srisailam |
2 | Arunachal Pradesh | Namdapha National Park |
3 | Arunachal Pradesh | Kamlang Tiger Reserve |
4 | Arunachal Pradesh | Pakke Tiger Reserve |
5 | Assam | Manas Tiger Reserve |
6 | Assam | Nameri National Park |
7 | Assam | Orang Tiger Reserve |
8 | Assam | Kaziranga National Park |
9 | Bihar | Valmiki National Park |
10 | Chhattisgarh | Udanti-Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary |
11 | Chhattisgarh | Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary |
12 | Chhattisgarh | Indravati Tiger Reserve |
13 | Jharkhand | Palamau Tiger Reserve |
14 | Karnataka | Bandipur Tiger Reserve |
15 | Karnataka | Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary |
16 | Karnataka | Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve |
17 | Karnataka | Nagarahole National Park |
18 | Karnataka | Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Tiger reserve |
19 | Kerala | Periyar Tiger reserve |
20 | Kerala | Parambikulam Tiger reserve |
21 | Madhya Pradesh | Kanha Tiger reserve |
22 | Madhya Pradesh | Pench Tiger reserve |
23 | Madhya Pradesh | Bandhavgarh Tiger reserve |
24 | Madhya Pradesh | Panna Tiger reserve |
25 | Madhya Pradesh | Satpura Tiger reserve |
26 | Madhya Pradesh | Sanjay-Dubri Tiger reserve |
27 | Maharashtra | Melghat Tiger reserve |
28 | Maharashtra | Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve |
29 | Maharashtra | Pench Tiger Reserve |
30 | Maharashtra | Sahyadri Tiger Reserve |
31 | Maharashtra | Nagzira Tiger Reserve |
32 | Maharashtra | Bor Tiger Reserve |
33 | Mizoram | Dampa Tiger Reserve |
34 | Odisha | Similipal Tiger Reserve |
35 | Odisha | Satkosia Tiger Reserve |
36 | Rajasthan | Ranthambore Tiger Reserve |
37 | Rajasthan | Sariska Tiger Reserve |
38 | Rajasthan | Mukandra Hills Tiger Reserve |
39 | Tamil Nadu | Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve |
40 | Tamil Nadu | Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park) |
41 | Tamil Nadu | Mudumalai Tiger Reserve |
42 | Tamil Nadu | Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve |
43 | Telangana | Kawal Tiger Reserve |
44 | Telangana | Amrabad Tiger Reserve |
45 | Uttar Pradesh | Dudhwa Tiger Reserve |
46 | Uttar Pradesh | Pilibhit Tiger Reserve |
47 | Uttar Pradesh | Amangarh Tiger Reserve (buffer zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve) |
48 | Uttarakhand | Jim Corbett National Park |
49 | Uttarakhand | Rajaji Tiger Reserve |
50 | West Bengal | Sunderban National Park |
51 | West Bengal | Buxa Tiger Reserve |
Conclusion
The tiger reserves in India map show India’s tiger reserves are mainly located in the central and eastern parts of the country. On the part of the population, we need to help the government establish more tiger sanctuaries in the western region as well.
The Forest Rights Act 2006 refers to “important wildlife habitats” that are part of protected areas and sanctuaries designed to protect wildlife (not just tigers) intact. Gram Sabhas and affected stakeholders must agree to the notice for critical wildlife habitats.