Why in the News?

Recently, the Centre declared the Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh as the country’s 58th tiger reserve.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About Tiger Reserves (Introduction, Features, Process of Becoming Tiger Reserve, Current Status, etc.)
• About Madhav National Park (Flora, Fauna, etc.)

Introduction

• India is home to over 70% of the world’s tiger population, making tiger conservation a national priority.
• To protect these big cats, the government has established Tiger Reserves under the Project Tiger initiative.
• These reserves ensure habitat protection, poaching prevention, and scientific management of tigers.
• Recently, Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh was declared India’s 58th Tiger Reserve, reflecting the nation’s continuous efforts to expand protected areas and strengthen conservation efforts.

About Tiger Reserves

• A Tiger Reserve is a specially designated protected area under Project Tiger, aimed at conserving wild tiger populations and their ecosystems.
• These reserves are governed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Key Features of a Tiger Reserve:

• Core Area: Strictly reserved for wildlife conservation; no human activities allowed.
• Buffer Area: Limited human activities permitted under eco-sensitive guidelines.
• Wildlife Protection: Strict enforcement against poaching, deforestation, and encroachments.
• Scientific Monitoring: Tracking tiger populations, prey bases, and ecosystem balance using advanced technology.

Process of Getting a ‘Tiger Reserve’ Status in India

• The designation of a Tiger Reserve follows a structured process, ensuring scientific assessment and legal backing.
• Step 1: Identification and Proposal

• A State Government identifies a national park or wildlife sanctuary with a healthy tiger population.
• The proposal is submitted to the NTCA for evaluation.

• Step 2: Evaluation by NTCA

• The NTCA assesses the proposal based on:
• Tiger Population Density
• Habitat Conditions
• Threats (Poaching, Human Activities, etc.)
• It also considers existing conservation measures and scope for improvement.

• Step 3: Recommendation to the Central Government

• If NTCA approves the proposal, it recommends it to the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• The MoEFCC conducts expert consultations and seeks stakeholders’ feedback.

• Step 4: Official Declaration

• Upon final approval, the Central Government issues an official notification, granting Tiger Reserve status.
• A Tiger Conservation Plan is developed to ensure scientific management.

Current Status of Tiger Reserves in India

• As of 2025, India has 58 Tiger Reserves, covering nearly 2.3% of India’s land area. Madhya Pradesh leads with 9 reserves, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
• The largest Tiger Reserve is Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh & Telangana), while Bor Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) is the smallest.
• The 2022 Tiger Census estimated India’s tiger population at 3,167, reflecting a steady rise due to conservation efforts. 

Madhav National Park

• On March 9, 2025, Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh was officially designated as a Tiger Reserve.
• Key Highlights:

• Location: Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh.
• Tiger Population: 5 tigers, including two new cubs.
• Repopulation Efforts: 3 tigers introduced in 2023 under the Tiger Reintroduction Project.
• Government Announcement: Union Environment Minister declared Madhav National Park as a Tiger Reserve.

• This move strengthens tiger conservation in central India and expands protected habitats.

Challenges in Tiger Conservation

• Despite notable progress, Tiger Reserves in India face several challenges:

• Habitat Destruction: Deforestation and urbanization impact tiger habitats.
• Poaching & Illegal Trade: Demand for tiger body parts continues in illegal wildlife markets.
• Human-Tiger Conflicts: Expanding human settlements lead to more tiger encounters.
• Climate Change: Changing weather patterns affect prey availability.
• Funding & Resource Gaps: Some reserves lack proper financial support.

Future Outlook for Tiger Conservation in India

• The government and NTCA are focusing on:

• Wildlife Corridors: Ensuring safe tiger movement between reserves.
• Advanced Monitoring: Using AI and drone surveillance to track tigers.
• Strengthening Anti-Poaching Laws: Enforcing stricter penalties.
• Eco-Tourism & Community Engagement: Encouraging local participation in conservation.