How India Became Home to 75% of the World’s Tigers
India now hosts the largest tiger population in the world, despite having the highest human density and only 18% of the global tiger habitat, a new study reveals.
In just over a decade, India has doubled its tiger population to more than 3,600, accounting for 75% of the world’s tigers. These big cats now inhabit an area of 138,200 sq km (53,360 sq miles)—about half the size of the UK—coexisting with nearly 60 million people.
According to the study published in Science, this remarkable success is due to effective conservation strategies, including:
• Protecting tigers from poaching and habitat loss
• Securing prey populations
• Reducing human-wildlife conflict
• Supporting local communities
Human Attitudes Matter More Than Population Density
Lead author Yadvendradev Vikramsinh Jhala challenges the belief that high human density is a major obstacle to conservation.
“More than density, it is the attitude of people that matters,” Jhala told the BBC.
He cited Malaysia as an example—despite having a lower population density and stronger economy than India, its tiger population has not recovered.
Key Conservation Findings
• India’s tiger habitat has expanded by 30% since 2006—growing by 2,929 sq km annually.
• Tigers thrive in protected, prey-rich reserves, but they have also adapted to living alongside humans in farming communities.
• Economic prosperity influences coexistence—tiger-rich states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Karnataka have benefited from eco-tourism and government compensation for conflict losses.
• However, in poorer regions like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and northeast India, tiger populations have struggled due to bushmeat hunting and poaching.
The Double-Edged Sword of Economic Growth
While economic development can support conservation, it can also harm tiger habitats.
The researchers note that both extreme urbanization and poverty can limit tiger recovery. Instead, they recommend a sustainable rural economy that balances economic growth with environmental conservation.
Impact of Armed Conflict on Tigers
Political instability has historically accelerated wildlife extinction.
• In India, Nepal, and other conflict zones, militants have exploited wildlife poaching for funding.
• Manas National Park lost its entire rhino population during armed conflict.
• Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand led to local tiger extinctions.
• However, reserves like Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam, Amrabad, and Similipal have shown tiger recovery after conflicts subsided.
“With improved political stability, these areas may see tiger recovery,” the researchers suggest.
Balancing Land Sparing and Land Sharing
The study highlights two approaches to tiger conservation:
1. Land Sparing – Keeping human populations separate from wildlife.
2. Land Sharing – Promoting coexistence between humans and predators.
While critics argue land sharing increases conflict, the study concludes that both strategies are essential for India’s success.
Managing Human-Wildlife Conflict
As India’s tiger population grows, human-wildlife encounters are increasing.
• 35 people die from tiger attacks annually.
• 150 fatalities occur from leopards and wild pigs each year.
• Snake bites cause around 50,000 deaths annually—far higher than tiger-related deaths.
• Car accidents claim 150,000 lives annually, yet receive far less media attention.
“Two hundred years ago, predator attacks were normal. Today, they’re rare, which is why they make headlines,” Jhala explains.
Restoring Tiger-Free Habitats
India still has 157,000 sq km of tiger-free habitats, particularly in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Jharkhand. Researchers believe that by reintroducing tigers and improving habitat connectivity, around 10,000 sq km of tiger territory could be restored.
India’s Conservation Success: A Model for the World
India’s ability to double its tiger population in a decade provides a global blueprint for wildlife conservation.
By balancing habitat protection, economic incentives, community involvement, and conflict resolution, India has proven that humans and tigers can coexist—even in a densely populated country.
