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

Madhavi Gaur December 16, 2024 05:40 52076 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
Kerala	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
Odisha	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
Telangana	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
Uttarakhand	Corbett Tiger Reserve	1973-1974	1288.31
West Bengal	Sunderbans Tiger Reserve	1973-1974	2584.89
West Bengal	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 Authority– It 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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India List Tiger Reserves in India upsc

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.