Tigers in India

India is rich in wildlife and a blessed home to Tigers. From India, 14 tiger reserves have received the accreditation of the Global Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CA|TS). The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) recognized the ‘BaghRakshaks’ for their efforts in protecting Tigers and forests. 

Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS) has been agreed upon as an accreditation tool by the global coalition of Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) and has been developed by tiger and protected area experts. Officially launched in 2013, it sets minimum standards for effective management of target species and encourages assessment of these standards in relevant conservation areas. CA|TS is a set of criteria which allows tiger sites to check if their management will lead to successful tiger conservation.  The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) recognized the ‘BaghRakshaks’ for their efforts in protecting Tigers and forests.

The 14 tiger reserves of India that have received prestigious global accreditation from CA|TS are:

• Mudumalai and Anamalai Tiger Reserves, Tamil Nadu

• Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka

• Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Kerala

• Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, West Bengal

• Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh
• Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar
• Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

• Satpura, Kanha and Panna Tiger Reserves, Madhya Pradesh

Tiger conservation in India took off as a major activity under Project Tiger in 1973. A tiger census conducted in 1972 (tiger hunting was banned in 1970) estimated there were 1,827 tigers in the country against an estimated 40,000 at the turn of the 20th century. The Wildlife Protection Act also came into force in 1972. According to the 2018 tiger census, there is an estimated 2,967 tigers in India, of which 2,461 tigers have been photographed through camera traps. Guinness World Records (in 2020) has also recognised the camera trap survey as the largest such wildlife survey undertaken.

It is well established that tigers are an ‘umbrella species’, and by focusing on tiger conservation, the forest they live in is also protected to the highest standards, with all the faunal and floral species benefiting from it too.

The Indian tiger reserves recognised under CA|TS are also part of the tourism circuit of the states they belong to. Although winter is the most convenient time to visit these tiger reserves, peak summer is the best time when the chance of meeting the magnificent beast is more. Most of these reserves have well-defined tourist zones, accessible with special permits.

India is rich in wildlife and a blessed home to Tigers. From India, 14 tiger reserves have received the accreditation of the Global Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CA|TS). The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) recognized the ‘BaghRakshaks’ for their efforts in protecting Tigers and forests. 

Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS) has been agreed upon as an accreditation tool by the global coalition of Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) and has been developed by tiger and protected area experts. Officially launched in 2013, it sets minimum standards for effective management of target species and encourages assessment of these standards in relevant conservation areas. CA|TS is a set of criteria which allows tiger sites to check if their management will lead to successful tiger conservation.  The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) recognized the ‘BaghRakshaks’ for their efforts in protecting Tigers and forests.

The 14 tiger reserves of India that have received prestigious global accreditation from CA|TS are:

• Mudumalai and Anamalai Tiger Reserves, Tamil Nadu

• Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka

• Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Kerala

• Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, West Bengal

• Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh
• Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar
• Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

• Satpura, Kanha and Panna Tiger Reserves, Madhya Pradesh

Tiger conservation in India took off as a major activity under Project Tiger in 1973. A tiger census conducted in 1972 (tiger hunting was banned in 1970) estimated there were 1,827 tigers in the country against an estimated 40,000 at the turn of the 20th century. The Wildlife Protection Act also came into force in 1972. According to the 2018 tiger census, there is an estimated 2,967 tigers in India, of which 2,461 tigers have been photographed through camera traps. Guinness World Records (in 2020) has also recognised the camera trap survey as the largest such wildlife survey undertaken.

It is well established that tigers are an ‘umbrella species’, and by focusing on tiger conservation, the forest they live in is also protected to the highest standards, with all the faunal and floral species benefiting from it too.

The Indian tiger reserves recognised under CA|TS are also part of the tourism circuit of the states they belong to. Although winter is the most convenient time to visit these tiger reserves, peak summer is the best time when the chance of meeting the magnificent beast is more. Most of these reserves have well-defined tourist zones, accessible with special permits.

India is home to a healthy population of tigers. In fact, the country is the habitat of about half of the world’s tiger population (about 2,226), in the protected environments of national parks. There are 47 tiger reserves across India which also home to other wildlife. Tiger spotting is a true delight. The majestic beasts in their natural habitat brings nature lovers from all over the world. The ideal season for wildlife safaris in India, is October to March when the weather is cooler and the animals more active. March to May the parks remain open and the weather gets hot; it is the ideal time to spot wildlife at their watering holes. Given India’s diversity and wealthy tiger population, there are a wide range of options in wildlife reserves all over India.

Here are our top options of wildlife safaris to go tiger spotting!

Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park is one of the best places to spot tigers in India. A former game reserve for the royal family of Jaipur, it is now a wildlife reserve. Besides tigers, the park is home to crocodiles, birds and other species of the animal kingdom. Wildlife safaris are available in early morning and late afternoon hours. Stay at wildlife resorts of Ranthambore adds to the thrill of wildlife holiday.

Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Central India’s popular Tiger Haven, Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh is among the world’s best places for tiger spotting. The blessed biodiversity in the nature reserve includes tigers, elusive white tigers, leopards, deer, bird species, including the fine eagles. Once the hunting grounds of the royal family of Rewa, the national park is now a popular tiger reserve.

Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Kanha is a popular place for tiger safaris in India. Located in Central India in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha is referred to as ‘tiger land’. Besides tiger spotting, there are options go on jeep safaris, bird watching and stay at the nature-friendly wildlife resorts.

Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Believed to be the inspiration of Rudyard Kipling’s popular creation ‘The Jungle Book’, Pench is a popular tiger reserve in India. Located in Central India, at the foothills of Satpura range, divided by river Pench, the natural reserve is truly blessed. Along with tigers, spot 285 resident and migratory birds including the endangered species of vultures, reptiles, fish, insects and many more at the national park.

Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

The first national park in the country, Jim Corbett gets its name from well-known British hunter and naturalist. Nestled in the foothills of the lower Himalayas, the Corbett National Park comprises hills, rivers, marshes, grasslands, etc. A variety of birds, fishes in the Ramganga River, reptiles, amphibians and more also call it home.

Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka

Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the Nagarhole National Park and Tiger Reserve is among the most popular of sanctuaries in South India. Nestled in the mountains the lush wilderness includes sandalwood and teak trees. The Kabini River flows through jungle lending beauty beyond words and also boat rides. The green landscapes is home to tigers, Asian elephants and a variety of birds.

Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sundarbans National Park is a popular haven for tiger sighting in India. The Sundarbans are mangrove formed by the confluence of Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal. The wilderness is habitat of royal Bengal tigers in huge numbers, and almost 42 other mammal species, 290 species of bird, 120 varieties of fish species, 35 reptile and eight amphibian species.