In Pics: 8 Tiger Reserves In India Gaining Attention For All The Right Reasons

Located in Uttar Pradesh, Dudhwa ranks fourth among India's tiger reserves, showing substantial progress in increasing its tiger population. The reserve itself saw a rise from 82 tigers in 2018 to 135 in 2022. In the wider area surrounding Dudhwa, tiger numbers went from 107 in 2018 to 153 in 2022. The neighboring Pilibhit Tiger Reserve also received the Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS) certification, highlighting its efforts in tiger conservation.

Covering 730.24 square kilometers, Pilibhit includes a 602.79 sq km core and a 127.45 sq km buffer zone. Recent NTCA data reveals the tiger population in PTR has exceeded 71. Forest officials note that PTR had only 24 tigers in 2014, which has since increased significantly to over 71 by 2022. This achievement earned the reserve the T2X Award and other international accolades.

Situated in the Vindhyan Ranges, Panna is India’s 22nd tiger reserve. Current estimates put the population at around 57-60 tigers (40-42 adults, 17-20 sub-adults), along with 12-14 cubs. The tiger population in Panna has grown at a rate of 26%, leading to more frequent tiger sightings in the core area and Akola Buffer zone, making it an increasingly popular destination for tourists.

Recognized for its successful conservation strategies, Satpura has received the TX2 Award for tripling its tiger population from 20 to 62 over the past eight years. Located in Madhya Pradesh, Satpura also ranks high in leopard population, trailing only Nagarjunasagar and Panna in terms of density of big cats.

Soon to be designated as Madhya Pradesh’s eighth tiger reserve, Ratapani spans 1,271.465 square kilometers, with a proposed 763.812 sq km core and a 507.653 sq km buffer area. The current sanctuary covers 823 sq km across Raisen and Sehore districts. The push for an upgrade began around 2010, following a steady increase in tiger numbers, which reached 56 within the sanctuary by 2022, with an additional 70-80 tigers observed in surrounding landscapes.

NSTR has been ranked first among India's 55 tiger reserves for leopard population, as per the ‘EnviStats India-2024’ report. With an estimated 360 leopards—about 270 residing in the area and another 90 passing through—NSTR also hosts over 80 tigers. The reserve, covering 1,401 square kilometers, spans across Prakasam, Nandyala, and Palnadu districts in Andhra Pradesh.

Odisha is home to 27 tigers, with 24 residing within Similipal. Additionally, eight cubs were recently spotted in Similipal, boosting its visibility in conservation circles. The reserve is also noted for its high leopard population, with 200 leopards across Similipal and adjacent areas, marking it as a prominent big cat habitat in Odisha.

The Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan recorded the birth of three new cubs, raising the total tiger population to 43. Camera traps in the reserve's Akbarpur range confirmed that tigress ST-17, aged six, gave birth for the second time. Currently, Sariska has 18 cubs, with 13 of them born in just the last four months.