Environment and Ecology — Tiger Reserves: Overview and Key Facts
1. Tiger Reserves — Overview
Context: Tiger Reserves in India are protected areas established under Project Tiger to conserve tigers and their habitats. These reserves aim to protect the striped big cats and boost their population.
Core-Buffer Strategy
- Core Zone: Strict protection, no human activity.
- Buffer Zone: Co-existence of tigers & human activities.
Key Facts:
- Total Tiger Reserves in India: 58 (as of 2024)
- Area covered: ~2.3% of the country's land area
- India hosts: ~75% of the world's wild tigers
- IUCN Status: Endangered
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I species
2. Tiger Killing Conditions
- Tigers can be killed only if:
- Diseased beyond recovery
- A threat to human life
- Cannot be declared as vermin.
3. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
- Statutory body established in 2005 under MoEFCC.
- Established under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (amended 2006).
Key Point: NTCA is a statutory body established in 2005 under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (amended 2006).
4. Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
- Established: 1982, Dehradun.
- Status: An Autonomous body under MoEFCC.
- Focus: Wildlife research & training.
5. Key Statistics
- Total Tiger Reserves: 58 (as of 2024)
- Area covered: ~2.3% of the country's land area
- India hosts: ~75% of the world's wild tigers
- Started in 1973: 9 reserves covering 18,278 sq km
- First tiger conservation park: Jim Corbett National Park (1936)
- Largest Tiger Reserve: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam (AP & Telangana)
- Smallest Tiger Reserve: Bor Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra)
Key Statistics:
- 58 Tiger Reserves (as of 2024)
- Started: 9 reserves (1973) → 58 reserves (2024)
- Largest: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam (AP & Telangana)
- Smallest: Bor Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra)
6. Recently Added Tiger Reserves
5 new Tiger Reserves have been added to the list:
- Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve — Madhya Pradesh
- Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve — Rajasthan
- Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla — Chhattisgarh
- Ratapani Tiger Reserve — Madhya Pradesh
- Madhav National Park — Madhya Pradesh (58th Tiger Reserve)
Key Point: The 58th tiger reserve was recently established in Madhav National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
7. Summary: Tiger Reserves at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Tiger Reserves | 58 (as of 2024) |
| Area Covered | ~2.3% of India's land area |
| India's Share of World Tigers | ~75% |
| IUCN Status | Endangered |
| WPA 1972 Schedule | Schedule I |
| Project Tiger Started | 1973 (9 reserves, 18,278 sq km) |
| First Tiger Conservation Park | Jim Corbett National Park (1936) |
| Largest Tiger Reserve | Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam (AP & Telangana) |
| Smallest Tiger Reserve | Bor Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) |
| NTCA Established | 2005 (under WPA 1972, amended 2006) |
| WII Established | 1982, Dehradun |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Tiger Reserves: 58 reserves; Core-Buffer strategy; ~2.3% of India's land
- India hosts: ~75% of world's wild tigers; IUCN: Endangered; WPA: Schedule I
- Project Tiger (1973): Started with 9 reserves → 58 reserves today
- Largest: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam; Smallest: Bor Tiger Reserve
- NTCA (2005): Statutory body under MoEFCC; established under WPA 1972 (amended 2006)
- WII (1982): Dehradun; Autonomous body under MoEFCC
- Tiger killing: Only if diseased beyond recovery or threat to human life; cannot be vermin
- New Reserves: Veerangana Durgavati (MP), Dholpur-Karauli (Rajasthan), Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla (Chhattisgarh), Ratapani (MP), Madhav National Park (MP — 58th)
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Tiger Reserves — Overview)
Q1. How many Tiger Reserves are there in India as of 2024?
Correct Answer: C. India has 58 Tiger Reserves as of 2024, covering approximately 2.3% of the country's land area.
Q2. What percentage of the world's wild tigers does India host?
Correct Answer: C. India hosts approximately 75% of the world's wild tigers.
Q3. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was established in which year?
Correct Answer: C. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body established in 2005 under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (amended 2006).
Q4. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is located in which city?
Correct Answer: C. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) was established in 1982 and is located in Dehradun. It is an autonomous body under MoEFCC.
Q5. What is the IUCN status of the tiger?
Correct Answer: B. The tiger is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is also listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Q6. Which is the largest tiger reserve in India?
Correct Answer: B. Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) is the largest tiger reserve in India.
Q7. Which is the smallest tiger reserve in India?
Correct Answer: C. Bor Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra is the smallest tiger reserve in India by area.
Q8. Project Tiger was launched in which year?
Correct Answer: C. Project Tiger was launched in 1973 with 9 reserves covering 18,278 sq km. It has since expanded to 58 reserves.
Q9. The 58th tiger reserve was established in which national park?
Correct Answer: C. The 58th tiger reserve was recently established in Madhav National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
Q10. Under what conditions can a tiger be killed in India?
Correct Answer: C. A tiger can be killed only if it is diseased beyond recovery or poses a threat to human life. Tigers cannot be declared as vermin.