NEW DELHI: In 2006, India’s wild tiger population stood at a worrying 1,411. By 2022, that number had surged to 3,682 — nearly 75% of the world’s wild tigers — marking a 161% increase in just 16 years. The growth is a powerful testament to India’s decades-long conservation efforts, especially through Project Tiger, launched in 1973.

Yet, while these numbers tell a story of success, they also conceal pressing challenges that could threaten future gains.

The dramatic turnaround followed years of steady decline, exacerbated by rampant poaching and habitat loss. By 2004, the crisis reached a tipping point when tigers vanished entirely from Rajasthan’s Sariska Tiger Reserve, triggering nationwide alarm. In response, India’s wildlife managers and scientists launched a series of urgent, science-backed interventions to safeguard the species.

“This recovery is no accident — India has emerged as a global leader in tiger conservation,” said Dr. Yadvendradev Jhala, a senior scientist at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and former dean of the Wildlife Institute of India. Jhala, who played a key role in post-Sariska recovery strategies, noted that the tiger’s resurgence is real, but the threats are far from over.

Poaching, Uneven Gains, and Rising Conflict

“Despite the increase, tigers remain extremely vulnerable,” Jhala cautioned. “The global black market for tiger parts is still thriving outside India. A lapse in enforcement could undo years of progress.”

He added that the population growth hasn’t been uniform. While areas like eastern Maharashtra and Uttarakhand have seen robust gains — enough to trigger frequent human-tiger conflict — other reserves such as Palamau (Jharkhand), Achanakmar (Chhattisgarh), Satkosia (Odisha), Dampa (Mizoram), and Buxa (West Bengal) have witnessed alarming declines or even local extinctions.

Much of the decline in some regions, he said, is tied to depleted prey bases and poor law and order. “States like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Jharkhand have good habitats, but without adequate prey and community support, tigers cannot thrive.”

Project Tiger: From Nine Reserves to Nationwide Network

India's conservation journey began in earnest with the launch of Project Tiger in 1973, covering nine reserves across nine states and an area of 14,000 sq km. Today, the network has grown to 58 tiger reserves spread across more than 84,487 sq km in 18 states — accounting for nearly 2.5% of India's total land area.

However, about 35% of these reserves now urgently require targeted intervention — including habitat restoration, prey base augmentation, and in some cases, reintroduction of tigers.

“Tiger recovery is deeply linked to the prosperity of rural communities and the rule of law,” Jhala emphasized. “Where there’s extreme poverty, social unrest, or conflict — such as Maoist violence — tigers have disappeared. Livelihood support for forest-dwelling communities is critical. If they don’t need to rely on forests for survival, their impact on biodiversity decreases.”

Managing Success: The Next Big Challenge

Paradoxically, India’s growing tiger population now presents a new problem: space. Without a robust strategy to manage the density and movement of tigers, conflict with humans is rising — and so are fatalities.

“If we don’t act soon, the backlash from affected communities could undo everything we’ve achieved,” Jhala warned.

The toll is already being felt. In a written response to Parliament on July 24, the environment ministry reported 73 human deaths in tiger attacks in 2024 so far. Maharashtra led the tally with 42 deaths, followed by Uttar Pradesh (10), Madhya Pradesh (6), Uttarakhand (5), and Assam (4). Between 2020 and 2023, tiger-related fatalities ranged from 51 to 110 annually.

Ground Realities: Pressure at the Frontlines

Akash Deep Badhawan, an Indian Forest Service officer and current DFO of Barabanki, recalled his time managing the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary under Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. “We faced multiple challenges — a 45-km porous border with Nepal, cross-border wildlife crime, and heavily understaffed teams,” he said.

Badhawan noted that human-wildlife conflict often sparks mistrust between communities and forest staff. “Encroachment drives and fencing projects, though necessary, provoke backlash and deepen socio-political tensions. Balancing legal hurdles, administrative processes, and ecological needs is incredibly complex.”

Looking Ahead

India’s tiger conservation journey has achieved remarkable results, but sustaining those gains requires constant vigilance, adaptive strategies, and inclusive community engagement. As India continues to lead the global effort to protect its national animal, the next phase will demand not just science and enforcement — but also empathy, equity, and strategic foresight.