Project Tiger is a landmark conservation initiative in India aimed at safeguarding the country’s dwindling

population of tigers. Project Tiger’s initiative has played a crucial role in preserving the natural habitats of
tigers and ensuring their long-term survival in the wild.

About Project Tiger in India

 Project Tiger is administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the
Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

 It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at ensuring a viable tiger population and preserving
ecosystems.

 The Indian tiger population at the end of the 20th century was estimated at 20,000 to 40,000
individuals.

 The first country-wide tiger census in 1972 estimated the population to comprise more than 1,800
individuals, highlighting a significant reduction in tiger numbers.

Note: India has more than 106 national parks and 565 Sanctuaries, some of which have been declared Tiger reserves. Tiger reserves
are governed by Project Tiger (1973). Project Tiger aims to protect tigers from extinction by ensuring a viable population in their
natural habitats. The government has set up a Tiger Protection Force under Project Tiger to combat poachers.

 Project Tiger was launched in Jim Corbett National Park of Uttarakhand in 1973, and various tiger
reserves were created in the country based on a ‘core-buffer’ strategy.

Key Objectives

 Protect Tiger Habitats: Identify and mitigate factors reducing tiger habitats through suitable
management practices.

 Habitat Restoration: Repair damaged ecosystems to restore natural balance.

 Maintain Viable Populations: Ensure sustainable tiger populations for ecological, economic,
cultural, and aesthetic value.

 Reduce Human-Wildlife Conflict: Minimize conflicts through anti-poaching measures, community

involvement, and regulated land use in buffer zones.

Technological Interventions:

 MSTrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status): Launched in
2010, it uses GPS, GPRS, and remote sensing for data collection and analysis.

 e-Eye System: Introduced in 2016 at Corbett, it employs thermal cameras for enhanced surveillance.
 Camera Traps and DNA Fingerprinting: Replaced the unreliable pug-mark method for accurate
population monitoring.
 Radio Telemetry: Used in select reserves to track individual tigers, aiding in conflict resolution and
habitat management
Tiger Reserves – Core and Buffer Strategy

The Tiger Reserves are constituted on a ‘core-buffer strategy’.

Core Zone

 The core area is free from biotic disturbances and forestry operations, where the collection of minor
forest produce, grazing, and human disturbances are not allowed.

 These areas must be kept for tiger conservation without affecting the rights of the Scheduled Tribes
or other forest dwellers.

 The State Government notifies these areas in consultation with an Expert Committee (constituted
for that purpose).

Buffer Zone

 The Act defines a buffer zone as peripheral to the critical tiger habitat or core area, providing
supplementary habitat for dispersing tigers and offering scope for the coexistence of human activity
(tribals).

 The concerned Gram Sabha determines the limits of such areas, and an Expert Committee is
constituted.
Tiger Task Force

 The implementation of Project Tiger over the years has highlighted the need for a statutory
authority with legal backing to ensure tiger conservation.

 Based on the recommendations of the National Board for Wildlife, a Task Force was set up to
address the problems of tiger conservation in the country.

 The Task Force’s recommendations include strengthening Project Tiger by giving it statutory and
administrative powers.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

 The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act 2006 created the National Tiger Conservation Authority
(NTCA) and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.

 Established in December 2005 following the Tiger Task Force recommendations, the NTCA
administers Project Tiger.

 Tiger reserves in India are governed by NTCA guidelines, with field directors overseeing
administration.

 Changes to reserve boundaries require NTCA recommendations and the approval of the National
Board for Wildlife, and no state government can de-notify a reserve without these approvals.

Members in National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

 The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was established under the Chairmanship of the
Minister for Environment and Forests.

 The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) includes eight experts with qualifications in
wildlife conservation and tribal welfare, three Members of Parliament, and the Inspector General of
Forests (in charge of Project Tiger) as the ex-officio Member Secretary, among others.
Functions of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

The functions of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) are:

 The National Tiger Conservation Authority lays down standards and guidelines for tiger conservation
in Tiger Reserves, National Parks, and Sanctuaries.

 National Tiger Conservation Authority is required to prepare an Annual Report and Audit Report,
which are laid before the Parliament.

 State-level Steering Committees will be established in the Tiger States under the chairmanship of
respective Chief Ministers to ensure coordination, monitoring, and protection of tigers.

 Additionally, State Governments are required to prepare a Tiger Conservation Plan and establish a
Tiger Conservation Foundation based on successful practices from some tiger reserves.

Growth and Achievements

 Tiger Reserves: Starting with nine reserves covering 9,115 sq. km in 1973 (including Jim Corbett,
Kanha, and Ranthambore), the project expanded to 58 reserves by March 2025, spanning 78,735.59
sq. km (2.3% of India’s land area).

 Population Growth: From 1,827 tigers in 1972, the population grew to 3,682 by 2022, with India
hosting ~75% of the world’s wild tigers. This contributed to a global increase from 3,159 in 2010 to
3,890 in 2016.
 Habitat Conservation: Improved habitat quality has benefited other species like leopards and
elephants, maintaining ecological balance.
 Global Recognition: Hailed as a model for wildlife conservation, inspiring the International Big Cat
Alliance (launched in 2023 to conserve seven big cat species across 97 countries).
Notable Milestones

 1972: Wildlife Protection Act enacted, banning tiger hunting and establishing national parks and
sanctuaries.

 2006: Wildlife Protection Act amended, creating NTCA and formalizing tiger conservation plans.
 2022 Tiger Census: Reported 3,167–3,925 tigers, a 6.1% annual growth rate, with notable increases
in Shivalik Hills and Nilgiri Hills but declines in Jharkhand and Odisha.
 2023: 50th anniversary celebrated with the launch of the International Big Cat Alliance by PM
Narendra Modi

Tiger Census

 The tiger census estimates the number of tigers in a given area every four years.

 The tiger census is conducted regularly to know the current tiger populations and trends.

 The method estimates the number of tigers and helps gather information on the population density
and associated prey density.

 The most commonly used technique was the Pugmark Census Technique.

 In this method, the imprints of the tiger’s pugmark were recorded and used to identify individuals.

 The tiger census is used mainly as one of the indices of tiger occurrence and relative abundance.

 Recent methods used to estimate the number of tigers are camera trapping and DNA fingerprinting.

 In-camera trapping involves photographing the tiger, and individuals are differentiated based on the
stripes on their bodies.

 In the latest DNA fingerprinting technique, tigers can be identified from their scats.

Current Status

 As of 2025, Project Tiger manages 58 reserves, with recent additions like Ratapani (Madhya
Pradesh) and Sunabeda (Odisha).
 India’s tiger population is a global success, but challenges like poaching, habitat connectivity, and
human-wildlife coexistence require ongoing efforts. The project’s holistic approach, combining strict
protection, community involvement, and advanced monitoring, continues to set a global standard.

Key Tiger Reserves and Their Significance

1. Jim Corbett (Uttarakhand): India’s first national park (1936) and Project Tiger reserve, known for
its high tiger density and eco-tourism.
2. Kanha (Madhya Pradesh): A model reserve with successful habitat restoration, hosting tigers,
barasingha, and diverse flora.
3. Sundarbans (West Bengal): Unique mangrove habitat for tigers adapted to saline environments,
facing climate change threats.
4. Ranthambore (Rajasthan): Famous for its scenic fort and tiger sightings, but challenged by tourism
pressure.
5. Bandhavgarh (Madhya Pradesh): Has the highest tiger density, making it a critical conservation
site.
Challenges

Despite its successes, Project Tiger faces significant hurdles:

1. Poaching and Illegal Trade:

o Tigers are poached for their pelts, bones, and organs, driven by demand in traditional
medicine markets, particularly in East Asia.
o Despite anti-poaching patrols and international cooperation (e.g., CITES), smuggling
networks persist.
2. Human-Wildlife Conflict:
o Rising tiger populations have increased conflicts, especially in buffer zones. In 2023, over
100 human deaths were attributed to tiger attacks, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and
Maharashtra.
o Compensation schemes and rapid response teams exist but are often underfunded or delayed.
3. Habitat Fragmentation:
o Deforestation, mining, and infrastructure projects (e.g., highways, dams) fragment tiger
corridors, isolating populations and reducing genetic diversity.
o Climate change exacerbates habitat loss through altered rainfall patterns and forest
degradation.
4. Administrative and Social Issues:
o Conflicts between forest officials and tribal communities arise from land rights disputes,
often linked to violations of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
o Forced relocations in the past have led to protests, though the NTCA now emphasizes
voluntary resettlement.
5. Funding and Resource Constraints:
o While centrally funded, many reserves face shortages of trained staff, equipment, and
infrastructure.
o Balancing eco-tourism revenue with conservation priorities remains a challenge.

Future Directions

 Corridor Connectivity: The NTCA is prioritizing habitat corridors to link isolated reserves,
ensuring genetic diversity.
 Climate Adaptation: Strategies like wetland restoration and fire management are being scaled up to
counter climate impacts.
 Community-Centric Models: Expanding EDCs and livelihood programs to reduce dependence on
forest resources.
 Global Collaboration: The International Big Cat Alliance aims to share India’s expertise, with pilot
projects in Nepal and Bangladesh by 2026.
 Advanced Monitoring: AI and satellite-based systems will enhance real-time threat detection and
population tracking.

Conclusion

Project Tiger has made significant strides in conserving tigers in India, from establishing numerous tiger
reserves to implementing scientific techniques for population monitoring. Despite the challenges, the
NTCA, state governments, and local communities’ continuous efforts have contributed to stabilising and
growing the tiger population. Protecting tigers and their habitats remains vital for maintaining biodiversity
and ecological balance in India.