Project Tiger
Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in 1973 as a pioneering initiative to conserve the national animal, the tiger. Since its inception with 9 tiger reserves, the coverage has expanded to 58 reserves across 18 tiger range states. These reserves now account for approximately 2.23% of the geographical area of the country.
- The tiger reserves are structured based on a core/buffer strategy. The core areas have the legal status of a National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary and are kept inviolate for tiger conservation. In contrast, the buffer or peripheral zones consist of a mix of forest and non-forest land, managed as multiple-use areas. The aim of this strategy is to implement an exclusive tiger agenda in the core areas and a people-oriented, inclusive agenda in the buffer zones.
- Project Tiger is an ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It provides central assistance to the tiger states for tiger conservation in the designated reserves.
Zonal Structure of a Tiger Reserve
A Tiger Reserve in India is composed of two key zones: the Core Zone and the Buffer Zone, each with distinct objectives and levels of protection.
- Core Zone: The Core Zone, also referred to as the Critical Tiger Habitat, is established on the basis of scientific and objective criteria. These areas are required to be kept inviolate for the purpose of tiger conservation, meaning that they are to remain undisturbed. Importantly, this inviolate status must be achieved without affecting the rights of Scheduled Tribes or other forest dwellers residing in such areas. The notification of core areas is carried out by the State Government, in consultation with an Expert Committee that is specifically constituted for this purpose.
- Buffer Zone: The Buffer Zone refers to the peripheral area surrounding the core or critical tiger habitat. In this zone, a lesser degree of habitat protection is required, but it must still ensure the ecological integrity of the adjoining critical habitat. Buffer zones also provide adequate dispersal space for tiger populations, supporting their long-term survival and movement.
Tiger Reserves in India
Sl No | Tiger Reserve (TR) | State | TR Notification Year |
1 | Bandipur | Karnataka | 2007 |
2 | Corbett | Uttarakhand | 2010 |
| Amanagarh buffer | Uttar Pradesh | 2012 |
3 | Kanha | Madhya Pradesh | 2007 |
4 | Manas | Assam | 2008 |
5 | Melghat | Maharashtra | 2007 |
6 | Palamau | Jharkhand | 2012 |
7 | Ranthambore | Rajasthan | 2007 |
8 | Simlipal | Orissa | 2007 |
9 | Sunderban | West Bengal | 2007 |
10 | Periyar | Kerala | 2007 |
11 | Sariska | Rajasthan | 2007 |
12 | Buxa | West Bengal | 2009 |
13 | Indravati | Chattisgarh | 2009 |
14 | Namdapha | Arunachal Pradesh | 1987 |
15 | Nagarjunsagar Sagar | Andhra Pradesh | 2007 |
16 | Dudhwa | Uttar Pradesh | 2010 |
17 | Kalakad Mundanthurai | Tamil Nadu | 2007 |
18 | Valmiki | Bihar | 2012 |
19 | Pench | Madhya Pradesh | 2007 |
20 | Tadobha Andhari | Maharashtra | 2007 |
21 | Bandhavgarh | Madhya Pradesh | 2007 |
22 | Panna | Madhya Pradesh | 2007 |
23 | Dampa | Mizoram | 2007 |
24 | Bhadra | Karnataka | 2007 |
25 | Pench – MH | Maharashtra | 2007 |
26 | Pakke | Arunachal Pradesh | 2012 |
27 | Nameri | Assam | 2000 |
28 | Satpura | Madhya Pradesh | 2007 |
29 | Anamalai | Tamil Nadu | 2007 |
30 | Udanti Sitanadi | Chattisgarh | 2009 |
31 | Satkoshia | Odisha | 2007 |
32 | Kaziranga | Assam | 2007 |
33 | Achanakmar | Chattisgarh | 2009 |
34 | Kali | Karnataka | 2007 |
35 | Sanjay Dhubri | Madhya Pradesh | 2011 |
36 | Mudumalai | Tamil Nadu | 2007 |
37 | Nagarhole | Karnataka | 2007 |
38 | Parambikulam | Kerala | 2009 |
39 | Sahyadri | Maharashtra | 2012 |
40 | Biligiri Ranganatha Temple | Karnataka | 2007 |
41 | Kawal | Telangana | 2012 |
42 | Sathyamangalam | Tamil Nadu | 2013 |
43 | Mukundara | Rajasthan | 2013 |
44 | Nawegaon Nagzira | Maharashtra | 2013 |
45 | Amrabad | Telangana | 2015 |
46 | Pilibhit | Uttar Pradesh | 2014 |
47 | Bor | Maharashtra | 2012 |
48 | Rajaji | Uttarakhand | 2015 |
49 | Orang | Assam | 2016 |
50 | Kamlang | Arunachal Pradesh | 2017 |
51 | Srivilliputhur Megamalai | Tamil Nadu | 2021 |
52 | Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve | Rajasthan | 2022 |
53 | Ranipur Tiger Reserve | Uttar Pradesh | 2022 |
54 | Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve | Madhya Pradesh | 2023 |
55 | Dholpur – Karauli Tiger Reserve | Rajasthan | 2023 |
56 | Guru Ghasidas – Tamor Pingla Tiger Resereve | Chhattisgarh | 2024 |
57 | Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary | Madhya Pradesh | 2024 |
58 | Madhav National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 2025 |
