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A Brief Note About Tiger Reserves

Tiger reserves in India are part of a project started in 1973 by the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi when the number of tigers reduced considerably throughout the country.

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.

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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the Railway Examination Preparation.

What is Project Tiger?

Ans. Founded in 1973, Project Tiger is a 100% centrally sponsored program. Fun...Read full

How many tiger reserves are there in India?

Ans. The tiger reserves in India map show a total of 51 established (as of May 2021) and 3 in the process, located m...Read full

Which city is known as the tiger city of India? Which city has the maximum number of tiger reserves in India?

Ans. Nagpur is also known as the “capital of Indian tigers” becaus...Read full

What are the major objectives of Project Tiger?

Ans. By 1972, the tiger population had declined from 40,000 to 1,827, which led to the initiation of the Project Tig...Read full

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