Tiger is the largest cat species in the world. The subspecies of Tiger found in India is known as Bengal Tiger. Let’s learn how the tiger population in India has changed over the years in this article.
Tiger population in India
India is home to more than 70 percent of the world’s wild tigers. In the last tiger census which was conducted in 2022, there were 3,682 tigers counted in India. Previously in 2018, 2,967 tigers were counted in India. The following table shows the tiger numbers in India from 1993 to 2022.
| Year | Estimated number of tigers |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 3,750 |
| 1997 | 3,508 |
| 2002 | 3,642 |
| 2006 | 1,411 |
| 2010 | 1,706 |
| 2014 | 2,226 |
| 2018 | 2,967 |
| 2022 | 3,682 |
There were around 3,750 tigers in India in 1993. The population remained constant through the 90s till 2002. After 2002, the tiger population began declining. So much so that only 1,411 tigers remained in India in 2006. It took a lot of conservation efforts and now the population has bounced back. Moreover, it is on an increasing trend.
(Also read: Which state has the highest number of Tigers in India?)
Tigers in India face many threats, such as habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change. To protect and conserve tigers in India, various initiatives have been taken by the government. The following are some important points related to Tiger conservation in India-
- The Project Tiger was launched in 1973. It aims to create and manage tiger reserves with adequate prey base and habitat.
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), established in 2005, which oversees and coordinates the implementation of Project Tiger and other tiger conservation activities.
- The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 provides legal protection to tigers and other endangered species. There are some hefty penalties for wildlife crimes in India.
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