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Project Tiger & Tiger Reserves in India – Complete State-Wise UPSC Prelims Notes

 

UPSC Current Affairs Notes – Project Tiger & Tiger Reserves (India)

1. Historical Background of Tiger Conservation

Pre-Independence Period

  • Tiger hunting was considered a symbol of power and prestige by:

  • Thousands of tigers were killed as trophies.

  • Habitat destruction due to agriculture expansion and railways also reduced tiger numbers.

Post-Independence Situation

  • By early 1970s, tiger population fell drastically to around 1,800 tigers.

  • Similar to extinction of Asiatic cheetah in India, tiger survival became a major concern.

  • International pressure and wildlife activism increased.

Role of Indira Gandhi

  • Strong personal interest in wildlife conservation.

  • Initiated strong environmental laws.

  • Led formation of conservation task forces.

  • Supported tiger conservation politically and financially.

2. Project Tiger – Overview

Launch Details

  • Launched on 1 April 1973.

  • Objective → Ensure viable tiger population in natural habitats and preserve ecosystem.

  • Initially started with 9 Tiger Reserves.

Institutional Structure

  • Implemented by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

  • Under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

  • Supported by Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and state forest departments.

Core Strategy

  • Identify critical tiger habitats.

  • Relocate villages from core areas.

  • Anti-poaching measures.

  • Habitat improvement.

  • Scientific monitoring.

3. Current Status of Tigers in India

  • India has 54 Tiger Reserves across 18 States.

  • Tiger Reserves cover about 2.3% of India’s geographical area.

  • India holds 75–80% of global wild tiger population.

  • Latest tiger population estimate → 3,000+ tigers.

Tiger Range Countries

  • India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Russia, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam.

India is the global leader in tiger conservation.

4. Why Tiger Conservation Important

Ecological Importance

  • Tiger is an apex predator → controls herbivore population.

  • Prevents overgrazing → protects forests.

  • Maintains biodiversity balance.

Umbrella Species Concept

  • Protecting tiger habitat protects:

    • Hundreds of plant species

    • Herbivores like deer, gaur

    • Birds, reptiles, insects

Indicator Species

  • Healthy tiger population indicates healthy forest ecosystem.

5. Key Terms for UPSC

  • Core Area → No human activity; breeding habitat.

  • Buffer Area → Limited human use allowed.

  • Tiger Corridor → Path connecting two habitats.

  • Carrying Capacity → Number of tigers habitat can support.

  • Camera Trap Method → Used for population estimation.

  • NTCA → Apex tiger conservation authority.

6. Tiger Census in India

Method

  • Camera trapping

  • DNA analysis

  • GIS mapping

  • Statistical sampling

Frequency

  • Every 4 years.

Important Result Trend

  • 2006 → 1,411

  • 2010 → 1,706

  • 2014 → 2,226

  • 2018 → 2,967

  • 2022 → 3,000+

India achieved growth while many countries saw decline.

7. Important Tiger Reserves – State Wise (Exam Focus)

Below list includes most important facts asked in Prelims.

Uttarakhand

  • Corbett Tiger Reserve

    • India’s first National Park (1936).

    • Earlier called Hailey National Park.

    • Ramganga River flows through it.

  • Rajaji Tiger Reserve

    • Located in Shivalik Hills.

    • Named after C. Rajagopalachari.

4

Uttar Pradesh

  • Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

    • Near Nepal border.

    • Includes Kishanpur Sanctuary.

  • Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

    • Located in Terai region.

  • Ranipur Tiger Reserve

    • Bundelkhand region.

    • One of newest reserves.

Bihar

  • Valmiki Tiger Reserve

    • Only Tiger Reserve in Bihar.

    • Near Nepal’s Chitwan National Park.

Odisha

  • Similipal Tiger Reserve

    • UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

    • Named after Simul tree.

  • Satkosia Tiger Reserve

    • Located along Mahanadi Gorge.

West Bengal

  • Sundarbans Tiger Reserve

    • Mangrove ecosystem.

    • UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    • Only mangrove tiger habitat in world.

  • Buxa Tiger Reserve

    • Near Bhutan border.

4

Assam

  • Kaziranga Tiger Reserve

    • Also famous for one-horned rhino.

  • Manas Tiger Reserve

    • UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • Nameri Tiger Reserve

  • Orang Tiger Reserve

    • Smallest core area among TRs.

Rajasthan

  • Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

    • Famous fort inside reserve.

  • Sariska Tiger Reserve

    • Example of tiger reintroduction.

  • Mukundra Hills TR

  • Ramgarh Vishdhari TR

    • New reserve.

Madhya Pradesh – Tiger State

Major TRs:

  • Kanha

  • Bandhavgarh

  • Panna

  • Pench

  • Satpura

  • Sanjay Dubri

  • Veerangana Durgavati

4

MP has highest tiger population.

Maharashtra

  • Tadoba-Andhari

  • Melghat

  • Pench (MH side)

  • Navegaon–Nagzira

  • Bor

  • Sahyadri

Karnataka

  • Bandipur

  • Nagarhole

  • Bhadra

  • Kali (Dandeli–Anshi)

  • BRT Tiger Reserve

4

Karnataka has one of highest tiger populations.

Andhra Pradesh & Telangana

  • Nagarjunsagar–Srisailam (largest TR).

  • Amrabad TR.

  • Kawal TR.

Tamil Nadu

  • Mudumalai

  • Anamalai

  • Sathyamangalam

  • Kalakad–Mundanthurai

  • Srivilliputhur–Megamalai

Kerala

  • Periyar Tiger Reserve

  • Parambikulam Tiger Reserve

8. Major Challenges in Tiger Conservation

  • Poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

  • Habitat fragmentation.

  • Human–tiger conflict.

  • Infrastructure projects in forests.

  • Climate change (especially Sundarbans).

9. Government Measures

  • NTCA formation.

  • Special Tiger Protection Force.

  • Eco-development committees.

  • Village relocation schemes.

  • Use of drones & GPS collars.

  • International Big Cat Alliance.

10. Important UPSC Prelims Facts to Memorize

  • Project Tiger → 1973

  • First National Park → Jim Corbett

  • Largest TR → Nagarjunsagar–Srisailam

  • Only TR in Bihar → Valmiki

  • Mangrove Tiger Reserve → Sundarbans

  • Tiger State → Madhya Pradesh

11. Possible UPSC Question Types

  1. Match Tiger Reserve with State.

  2. Identify river flowing through reserve.

  3. UNESCO sites related to reserves.

  4. Year of Project Tiger launch.

  5. NTCA functions.


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