Context
- According to data from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), 166 tiger deaths were recorded in India in 2025, of which 41 occurred in Maharashtra, the highest among States.
- The information was provided in the Maharashtra Legislative Council by Forest Minister Ganesh Naik during the Budget session while responding to concerns regarding recent tiger deaths in Pench Tiger Reserve.
- The deaths included incidents involving an adult tiger and cubs, raising questions about poaching, habitat degradation and human–wildlife conflict in tiger habitats.
Relevance
- GS III – Environment / Biodiversity: Highlights tiger conservation challenges, habitat fragmentation and human–wildlife conflict in India’s protected areas.
- GS III – Conservation Governance: Examines the effectiveness of Project Tiger, NTCA and wildlife protection laws in managing wildlife populations.
Practice Question
- “Rising tiger populations have paradoxically intensified human–wildlife conflict in India.”
Examine the causes of increasing tiger mortality and suggest measures for balancing conservation with human livelihoods.(250 Words)
Static Background: Tiger Conservation in India
Species Profile
- The Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is India’s national animal and a keystone predator essential for maintaining ecological balance in forest ecosystems.
- Tigers require large contiguous forest habitats, prey availability and minimal human disturbance, making them sensitive indicators of ecosystem health.
Conservation Status
- The species is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
- Tigers are included in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, providing the highest level of legal protection in India.
India’s Tiger Conservation Framework
Project Tiger
- The flagship conservation programme Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to ensure viable populations of tigers in their natural habitats.
- The programme focuses on habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, scientific monitoring and community participation.
National Tiger Conservation Authority
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change responsible for implementing Project Tiger and monitoring tiger populations.
Tiger Reserves
- India currently has over 58 tiger reserves, forming a network of protected areas across the country aimed at conserving tiger habitats.
Maharashtra’s Importance in Tiger Conservation
- Maharashtra hosts several important tiger landscapes, including
- Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve
- Melghat Tiger Reserve
- Pench Tiger Reserve
- Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.
- The State has one of the largest tiger populations in India outside central Indian forests, making conservation efforts in the region particularly significant.
- Rapid infrastructure development and expanding human settlements around forest areas have increased pressure on wildlife habitats.
Causes of Tiger Mortality
Poaching and Wildlife Crime
- Illegal hunting for tiger parts used in traditional medicine and illegal wildlife trade networks continues to pose a threat.
- Forest authorities have deployed specialised anti-poaching units such as the Special Tiger Protection Force to combat wildlife crime.
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
- Expansion of mining, industrial projects, highways and railways has fragmented forest habitats, restricting tiger movement and dispersal.
- Habitat fragmentation often pushes tigers into human-dominated landscapes, increasing conflict risks.
Human–Wildlife Conflict
- Increasing interactions between humans and wildlife occur when animals enter agricultural lands and villages in search of food or territory.
- Such encounters sometimes lead to retaliatory killings or accidental deaths of animals.
Natural Causes
- Some tiger deaths also result from territorial fights, disease, old age or starvation, particularly when prey availability is limited.
Government Measures to Address Tiger Deaths
Anti-Poaching Surveillance
- Authorities have strengthened anti-poaching patrols using Special Tiger Protection Force personnel, dog squads and wildlife crime monitoring units.
Technological Monitoring
- Digital tools such as the M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) are used for real-time tracking of patrol routes and wildlife sightings.
Rescue and Treatment Infrastructure
- The State has established Rapid Rescue Units and Transit Treatment Centres to respond quickly to injured wildlife and emergency situations.
Camera Surveillance
- Camera traps and mobile-enabled tracking systems are used to monitor suspicious movements and wildlife behaviour in protected areas.
Environmental Concerns Raised by Activists
- Environmentalists emphasise that deforestation, mining, industrial expansion and infrastructure development are primary drivers of wildlife displacement.
- Activists have argued that protecting habitats and regulating human intrusion into forests is essential for reducing human–animal conflicts.
- Conservation advocates highlight that India has gained global recognition for initiatives such as Project Tiger and Project Lion, making dilution of wildlife protection laws controversial.
Way Forward
Strengthening Habitat Connectivity
- Protect wildlife corridors linking tiger reserves to enable safe movement of animals and genetic exchange between populations.
Landscape-Level Planning
- Integrate wildlife conservation into infrastructure planning, mining policies and regional development strategies.
Conflict Mitigation
- Promote early-warning systems, compensation schemes and community awareness programmes to reduce retaliatory killings.
Strengthening Anti-Poaching Networks
- Improve intelligence sharing, inter-State coordination and technology-driven monitoring to combat illegal wildlife trade.
Scientific Monitoring
- Expand the use of camera traps, GPS collars and ecological monitoring systems for better understanding of tiger behaviour and population dynamics.
Prelims Pointers
- Project Tiger: Launched in 1973 for tiger conservation.
- National Tiger Conservation Authority: Statutory body overseeing tiger conservation.
- M-STrIPES: Digital monitoring system used for tiger protection and patrol management.
- Schedule I (Wildlife Protection Act, 1972): Highest level of protection for wildlife species.
Top States with Highest Tiger Population (All India Tiger Estimation in 2022)
| Rank | State | Tiger Population (2022) |
| 1 | Madhya Pradesh | 785 |
| 2 | Karnataka | 563 |
| 3 | Uttarakhand | 560 |
| 4 | Maharashtra | 444 |
| 5 | Tamil Nadu | 306 |
