List of Tiger Reserves in India, Map, Tiger Conservation, and Schemes

Madhavi Gaur December 16, 2024 05:40 52170 0

Learn about Tiger Reserves in India, dedicated to protecting tigers and their habitats. Explore conservation efforts and important schemes.

List of Tiger Reserves in India, Map, Tiger Conservation, and Schemes

Tiger Reserves in India fall under the protected areas specifically designated for striped big cats (tigers) and conserving and protecting them. It is set up under Project Tiger which was launched to conserve the habitat of tigers and increase their population. A tiger reserve can also exist as a national park or wildlife sanctuary. For example, Kaziranga National Park, Sariska Park, etc which is also a national park and tiger reserve.

Expanding Tiger Conservation, 57th Tiger Reserves in India

As of December 2024, there are now a total of 57 tiger reserves in India, safeguarding a total area of around 82000 square kilometers. The 57th India got its 57th tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary. This constitutes over 2.3% of the country’s total land, a significant increase from the original nine reserves covering 18,278 square kilometers in 1973. The first tiger reserve was set up in 1973 as Palamau Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand. Most recently declared tiger reserve is Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. These reserves are important for protecting the tigers that live in India.

Tiger Reserves in India Map

India’s 57th Tiger Reserve: Ratapani Tiger Reserve

The Ratapani Tiger Reserve, located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, has been officially designated as India’s 57th tiger reserve and the state’s eighth. This reserve encompasses a total area of approximately 1,271.4 square kilometers, comprising a core zone of 763.8 square kilometers and a buffer zone of 507.6 square kilometers. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1976, Ratapani is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including a significant population of Bengal tigers, leopards, and various herbivores such as chital and sambar. The landscape features undulating terrains with hills, plateaus, valleys, and plains, and is characterized by dry and moist deciduous forests, predominantly covered with teak

India’s 56th Tiger Reserve: Guru Ghasidas Tamor Pingla

The Guru Ghasidas Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve, located in Chhattisgarh, has been declared as India’s 56th Tiger Reserve. This reserve serves as a critical wildlife corridor between Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, promoting biodiversity conservation. Known for its rich ecosystem, it supports a variety of species, including tigers, and plays a vital role in protecting the region’s ecological balance. This declaration highlights India’s ongoing efforts toward tiger conservation under Project Tiger.

List of 57th Tiger Reserves in India

S No. Tiger Reserves in India State/UT Location Year Total Area (sq km)
1 Bandipur Tiger Reserve Karnataka Western Ghats 1974 914.02
2 Corbett Tiger Reserve Uttarakhand Himalayan Foothills 1973 1,288.31
3 Kanha Tiger Reserve Madhya Pradesh Central India 1974 2,051.79
4 Manas Tiger Reserve Assam Eastern Himalayas 1973 2,837.10
5 Melghat Tiger Reserve Maharashtra Satpura Range 1974 2,768.52
6 Palamu Tiger Reserve Jharkhand Chota Nagpur Plateau 1973 1,129.93
7 Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Rajasthan Aravalli Range 1973 1,411.29
8 Simlipal Tiger Reserve Odisha Eastern Ghats 1973 2,750.00
9 Sunderban Tiger Reserve West Bengal Sundarbans 1984 2,584.89
10 Periyar Tiger Reserve Kerala Western Ghats 1978 925
11 Sariska Tiger Reserve Rajasthan Aravalli Range 1978 1,213.34
12 Buxa Tiger Reserve West Bengal Eastern Himalayas 1983 757.9
13 Indravati Tiger Reserve Chhattisgarh Bastar Plateau 1982 2,799.07
14 Namdapha Tiger Reserve Arunachal Pradesh Eastern Himalayas 1983 2,052.82
15 Nagarjunsagar Tiger Reserve Telangana Deccan Plateau 1983 3,296.31
16 Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Uttar Pradesh Terai 1987 2,201.77
17 Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve Tamil Nadu Western Ghats 1988 1,601.54
18 Valmiki Tiger Reserve Bihar Gangetic Plains 1990 899.38
19 Pench Tiger Reserve Madhya Pradesh Satpura Range 1992 1,179.63
20 Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve Maharashtra Central India 1993 1,727.59
21 Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve Madhya Pradesh Central India 1993 1,536.93
22 Panna Tiger Reserve Madhya Pradesh Central India 1994 1,598.10
23 Dampa Tiger Reserve Mizoram Mizo Hills 1994 988
24 Bhadra Tiger Reserve Karnataka Western Ghats 1998 1,064.29
25 Pench Tiger Reserve Maharashtra Satpura Range 1999 741.22
26 Pakke Tiger Reserve Arunachal Pradesh Eastern Himalayas 2002 1,198.45
27 Nameri Tiger Reserve Assam Eastern Himalayas 1999 464
28 Satpura Tiger Reserve Madhya Pradesh Central India 1999 2,133.31
29 Anamalai Tiger Reserve Tamil Nadu Western Ghats 2008 1,479.87
30 Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve Chhattisgarh Maikal Hills 2008 1,842.54
31 Satkosia Tiger Reserve Odisha Eastern Ghats 2007 963.87
32 Kaziranga Tiger Reserve Assam Eastern Himalayas 2007 1,173.58
33 Achanakmar Tiger Reserve Chhattisgarh Maikal Hills 2009 914.02
34 Kali Tiger Reserve Karnataka Western Ghats 2010 1,097.51
35 Sanjay Dhubri Tiger Reserve Madhya Pradesh Central India 2011 1,674.50
36 Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Tamil Nadu Western Ghats 2012 688.59
37 Nagarhole Tiger Reserve Karnataka Western Ghats 2012 1,205.76
38 Parambikulam Tiger Reserve Kerala Western Ghats 2010 643.66
49 Sahyadri Tiger Reserve Maharashtra Western Ghats 2009 1,165.57
40 Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Tiger Reserve Karnataka Western Ghats 2010 574.82
41 Kawal Tiger Reserve Telangana Deccan Plateau 2012 2,015.44
42 Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve Tamil Nadu Western Ghats 2013 1,408.40
43 Mukundara Tiger Reserve Rajasthan Aravalli Range 2013 759.99
44 Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve Maharashtra Central India 2013 1,894.94
45 Amrabad Tiger Reserve Telangana Deccan Plateau 2014 2,611.39
46 Pilibhit Tiger Reserve Uttar Pradesh Terai 2014 730.25
47 Bor Tiger Reserve Maharashtra Central India 2014 816.27
48 Rajaji Tiger Reserve Uttarakhand Shivalik Range 2015 1,075.17
49 Orang Tiger Reserve Assam Eastern Himalayas 2016 492.46
50 Kamlang Tiger Reserve Arunachal Pradesh Eastern Himalayas 2017 783
51 Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve Tamil Nadu Western Ghats 2021 1,016.57
52 Ramgarh Tiger Reserve Rajasthan Aravalli Range 2022 1501.8921
53 Guru Ghasidas Tiger Reserve Chhattisgarh Maikal Hills 2023 2,048
54 Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve Madhya Pradesh Central India 2023 1414.28
55 Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve Rajasthan Aravali Range 2023 599.64
56 Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve Chhattisgarh 2024 2,829.38
57 Ratapani Tiger Reserve Madhya Pradesh 2024 1,271.4

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State Wise Tiger Reserves in India

India has 57 tiger reserves spread across 18 states which are established to protect the endangered Bengal tiger and its habitat. Each reserve is part of Project Tiger, a wildlife conservation program launched in 1973 to promote tiger population recovery and habitat conservation.

Tiger Reserves State Year Area
Andhra Pradesh Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve 1982-1983 3296.31
Arunachal Pradesh Pakke Tiger Reserve 1999-2000 1198.45
Namdapha Tiger Reserve 1982- 1983 2052.82
Kamlang Tiger Reserve 2016-2017 783
Assam Orang Tiger Reserve 2016 492.46
Nameri Tiger Reserve 1999-2000 464
Manas Tiger Reserve 1973-1974 2837.1
Kaziranga Tiger Reserve 2008-2009 1173.58
Bihar Valmiki Tiger Reserve 1989-1990 899.38
Chhattisgarh Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve 2008-2009 1842.54
Indravati Tiger Reserve 1982-1983 2799.07
Achanakmar Tiger Reserve 2008-2009 914.01
Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve 2024 2,829.38
Jharkhand Palamau Tiger Reserve 1973-1974 1129.93
Karnataka Nagarahole Tiger Reserve 2008-2009 1205.76
Dandeli-Anshi (Kali) Tiger Reserve 2008-2009 1097.51
Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Tiger Reserve 2010-2011 574.82
Bhadra Tiger Reserve 1994-1995 1064.29
Bandipur Tiger Reserve 1973-1974 1456.3
Kerala Periyar Tiger Reserve 1978-1979 925
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve 2008-2009 643.66
Madhya Pradesh Satpura Tiger Reserve 1999-2000 2133.3
Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve 2008-2009 1674.5
Pench Tiger Reserve 1992-1993 1179.63
Panna Tiger Reserve 1993-1994 1598.1
Kanha Tiger Reserve 1973-1974 2051.79
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve 1993-1994 1536.93
Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve 2023 1414.006
Ratapani Tiger Reserve 2024 1,271.4
Maharashtra Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve 1993-1994 1727.59
Sahyadri Tiger Reserve 2009-2010 1165.57
Pench Tiger Reserve 1998-1999 741.22
Nawegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve 2013-2014 1894.94
Melghat Tiger Reserve 1973-1974 2768.52
Bor Tiger Reserve 2014 816.27
Mizoram Dampa Tiger Reserve 1994-1995 988
Odisha Similipal Tiger Reserve 1973-1974 2750
Satkosia Tiger Reserve 2008-2009 963.87
Rajasthan Sariska Tiger Reserve 1978-1979 1213.34
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve 1973-1974 1411.29
Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve 2022 1501.89
Mukandra Hills Tiger Reserve 2013-2014 759.99
Tamil Nadu Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve 2020-2021 1016.57
Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve 2013-2014 1408.4
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve 2008-2009 688.59
Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve 1988-1989 1601.54
Anamalai Tiger Reserve 2008-2009 1479.87
Telangana Kawal Tiger Reserve 2012-2013 2015.44
Amrabad Tiger Reserve 2014-2015 2611.39
Uttar Pradesh Ranipur Tiger Reserve 2022-2023 529.36
Pilibhit Tiger Reserve 2014 730.25
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve 1987-1988 2201.77
Uttarakhand Rajaji Tiger Reserve0 2015 1075.17
Corbett Tiger Reserve 1973-1974 1288.31
West Bengal Sunderbans Tiger Reserve 1973-1974 2584.89
Buxa Tiger Reserve 1982-1983 757.9

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Top 10 Largest Tiger Reserves in India

In 2024, India have 57 tiger reserves, with the top 10 largest including Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam, Namdapha, and Manas, showcasing significant efforts in tiger conservation. These reserves span vast areas to provide critical habitats for the protection and proliferation of Bengal tigers.

S.No.  Tiger Reserve Area About
Nagarjunsagar Srisailam 3296.31
  • Nagarjunsagar Tiger Reserve is among India’s biggest tiger reserves. 
  • It stretches across five districts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, mainly covering the scenic Nallamala Hills. 
  • Within this reserve, you’ll find two significant multipurpose reservoirs, Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar. 
  • These picturesque landscapes are home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the majestic Bengal tiger, elusive leopards, pangolins, and Indian rock pythons, to name a few.
Manas National Park 3150.92
  • Manas National Park sits in the foothills of the Himalayas in Assam. It’s not your average park; it’s a special place. It’s got a UNESCO World Heritage Site status, and it’s also a Tiger Reserve, Elephant Reserve, Biosphere Reserve, and, of course, a National Park.
  • What makes it so unique? Well, it’s home to some rare and endangered wildlife. You’ll find the One-horned Rhinoceros, majestic Asiatic Elephants, fierce Indian Tigers, elusive Clouded Leopards, playful Hoolock Gibbons, and graceful Barking Deer among its residents. It’s like a wildlife wonderland.
Melghat Tiger Reserve 2768.52
  • Melghat Tiger Reserve can be found in central India, on the southern part of the Satpura Hill Range, specifically the Gavilgarh hill in Maharashtra. 
  • This reserve is like a tiger’s dream home and is also where the state keeps its rich biodiversity safe. 
  • Plus, it’s a vital area that collects water for five major rivers. It’s a place where nature thrives, especially for tigers.
Similipal National Park  2750 
  • Simlipal National Park is a fantastic place in Odisha, India. It’s both a national park and a tiger reserve, meaning it’s like a double haven for wildlife. 
  • This area is a treasure trove of diverse plants and animals, and it feels like a cool breeze in a lush forest. 
  • Plus, it’s dotted with charming waterfalls that make the Royal Bengal Tigers here feel right at home. It’s a true nature lover’s paradise.
Amrabad Tiger Reserve 2611.39 
  • Amrabad Tiger Reserve is located in the Nallamala hills of Telangana. It’s home to the Chenchu tribe and is a place teeming with diverse wildlife. Here, you can find about 70 different types of mammals, over 300 kinds of birds, 60 types of reptiles, and countless insects. 
  • All of these creatures rely on more than 600 different types of plants for their survival. 
  • Some of the notable animals you can spot here include Bengal Tigers, leopards, rusty-spotted cats, pangolins, Mugger Crocodiles, Indian Rock Pythons, and a wide variety of birds.
Sunderbans Tiger Reserve 2584.89
  • The Sundarbans, the largest delta in the world, stretches across India and Bangladesh. In India, you’ll find the Sundarbans National Park located in the southern part of West Bengal. 
  • This unique forest is abundant with Sundari trees. One of its most famous residents is the Royal Bengal tiger. 
  • Notably, the Sundarbans National Park has received UNESCO’s recognition as a World Heritage Site, mainly due to its crucial role in the conservation of tigers through Project Tiger.
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve  2201.7748
  • The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is a protected area on the India-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh. It mainly covers the Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich districts. 
  • Dudhwa National Park is home to various birds, reptiles, one-horned rhinos, wild elephants, and aquatic animals, as well as a rich variety of plants and animals. 
  • Its untouched forests, expansive grasslands, and wetlands make it unique. This is the only place in Uttar Pradesh where you can see both tigers and rhinos living together in the wild.
Satpura Tiger Reserve 2133.30
  • The Satpura Tiger Reserve can be found in Madhya Pradesh, south of the Narmada River. Satpura National Park is a treasure trove of biodiversity. 
  • In this park, you can encounter a variety of animals such as leopards, sambar deer, spotted deer, Indian muntjac, nilgai, four-horned antelope, Chinkara, wild boar, bears, blackbucks, foxes, porcupines, flying squirrels, mouse deer, and Indian giant squirrels.
Namdapha Tiger Reserve 2052.82 
  • Namdapha Tiger Reserve is situated in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, not Andhra Pradesh. 
  • It’s a truly unique place because it’s the only park in the world that’s home to four different big cat species: Tigers, Leopards, Snow Leopards, and Clouded Leopards. Additionally, you can find various smaller wildcats here.
Kanha Tiger Reserve  2051.79
  • Kanha National Park came into existence on June 1, 1955, and later, in 1973, it was designated as the Kanha Tiger Reserve. It covers a large area spanning across Mandla and Balaghat districts. 
  • This park is home to a notable population of majestic Royal Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, the gentle sloth bear, the unique barasingha deer, and the Indian wild dog.

First Tiger Reserve in India

According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority of India (NTCA). The first tiger reserve designated under Project Tiger, launched in 1973 specifically for tiger conservation, was Palamau Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand. This occurred in 1973.

 

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India houses 80% of the world’s tiger population, with their numbers increasing from 2,226 in 2014 to 2,967 in 2018 according to the Tiger Census Report.

 

India’s commitment to tiger conservation includes 53 Tiger Reserves in India, actively managed through initiatives like Project Tiger and regular census programs. These reserves play a crucial role in preserving a balanced ecosystem and facilitating coexistence between humans and tigers.

Important Schemes for Tiger Reserves in India 

Scheme Objectives
Project Tiger Established in 1973 to support the preservation of tigers in India.
Provides federal funding to tiger range States for in-situ tiger conservation in selected Tiger Reserves in India.
Overseen by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Tiger Census Conducted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
Assisted by state forest agencies and conservation NGOs.
Aims to estimate the tiger population in India through a four-year census cycle.
M-STrIPES Introduced in 2010, a software-based monitoring system for Tiger Reserves in India.
Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-STrIPES) enhances patrolling and oversight.
Focuses on the conservation of critically endangered Bengal tigers.
St. Petersburg Declaration on  Tiger Conservation Declared during the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit in 2010.
Committed by 13 nations, including India, to protect tigers worldwide and double their population in the wild.
TX2 was chosen as the initiative’s motto, representing the goal of doubling the global tiger population by 2022.

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Tiger Population in India

  • India’s tiger population increased to 3,682 in 2022, up from 2,967 in 2018.
  • This also indicates significant growth over the last decade; there were 2,226 tigers reported in 2014, up from 1,706 in 2010.

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Objectives of Tiger Reserves in India

  • Conservation Focus
    1. The primary objective of Tiger Reserves in India is the conservation of tigers and their habitats. Apart from tigers, these reserves also safeguard a diverse range of flora and fauna that exist in the respective regions.
  • Core and Buffer Zones- Tiger Reserves in India are divided into two main zones: the core zone and the buffer zone. 
    1. The core zone is the central area where human activities are strictly restricted, allowing tigers to thrive without disturbance. 
    2. The buffer zone surrounds the core area and serves as a peripheral space with limited human activities, offering a degree of protection to the core zone.
  • Project Tiger
    1. India’s tiger conservation program, known as Project Tiger, was launched in 1973 to protect and increase the dwindling tiger population. Tiger Reserves in India are a critical component of this program.
  • Ecotourism
    1. Many tiger reserves in India offer ecotourism opportunities to visitors. These eco-friendly tourism initiatives allow people to experience the wildlife and natural beauty of the reserves while contributing to the local economy and generating funds for conservation efforts.
  • Legal Protection
    1. Tiger Reserves in India are accorded legal protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This act empowers the authorities to take stringent action against poaching, illegal encroachments, and other activities that threaten the wildlife and ecosystem of the reserves.

Also Read- Royal Bengal Tiger Spotted in Buxa Tiger Reserve After two Decades

Rules and Regulation for Conservation of Tiger and Tiger Reserves in India

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972- To declare an area to be a Tiger Reserves in India it is notified by State Governments as per provisions of Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 on advice of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

National Tiger Conservation AuthorityIt is a statutory body set up under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 which was amended in 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation. Its objectives are:

  • Giving legal authority to Project Tiger to make sure that following its guidelines becomes a legal requirement.
  • Enhancing the responsibility of both the central and state governments in managing Tiger Reserves in India by establishing a foundation for Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with states in our federal system.
  • Taking into account the livelihood concerns of people living in the areas around Tiger Reserves in India.
  • Critical tiger habitats (CTH)– Conservation and Tiger Habitat (CTH) areas are established under the Wild Life Protection Act (WLPA).
    • These areas must be kept undisturbed to protect tigers while preserving the rights of Scheduled Tribes and other people living in the forests.
    • The state government officially declares CTH after consulting with a group of experts it has specifically appointed for this purpose.

Also Read- Sariska Tiger Reserve Awaits Transfer of Over 60% Land

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Tiger Reserves in India 2024 FAQs

Recently declared Tiger National Park is Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan.

There is no major difference between Tiger reserve and national park. Tiger reserves are a subset of National Park. National Parks are designated for conservation of some endangered and vulnerable species whereas Tiger reserve is specifically for Tiger.

Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the largest Tiger Reserve in India.

Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tiger population.

Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tiger reserves in India. It has a total of 6 tiger reserves.

Supreme Court halted all mining activities being undertaken around the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan.

No, the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Golden Bengal Tiger are not the same.

The Mhadei wildlife sanctuary in Goa is as India's 55th tiger reserve.
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