Co-existing with tigers outside reserves

I ndia’s tiger conservation story is widely regarded as one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife recoveries — a species brought back from near extinction through sustained political commitment, scientific management, and decades of on-ground protection. Since the launch of Project Tiger in 1973, the country’s network of protected areas has expanded from nine reserves covering 18,278 sq km to 58 reserves spanning 84,488 sq km, accounting for nearly 2.6% of India’s landmass. India’s tiger population has risen from 1,411 in 2006 to 3,682 in 2022, firmly establishing the country as home to over 70% of the world’s wild tigers. This success has now created a new conservation frontier — the growing proportion of tigers living outside protected areas.