India Intensifies Big Cat Conservation with Global Alliance & Local Initiatives
India faces the challenge of conserving tigers outside reserves, as majority of recent tiger deaths were recorded beyond protected areas. The government introduces initiatives to strengthen conservation, including the Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves project and an International Big Cat Alliance. These efforts reflect a national commitment to environmental protection.
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More than half of India's tiger deaths since 2021 have occurred outside protected reserves, according to government data analyzed by PTI. This development comes amid India's push for new conservation initiatives. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) reported 341 of 667 tiger deaths happened outside reserves between 2021 and 2025.
Maharashtra leads with 111 such deaths, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 90. India, home to around 3,682 tigers, continues to face challenges in tiger conservation outside protected areas, where nearly 30% of the tiger population resides. To tackle this, the government plans the 'Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves' (TOTR) project, targeting 80 forest divisions across 17 states to mitigate human-tiger conflicts.
On International Tiger Day, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced an India-led International Big Cat Alliance to involve 24 countries for big cat conservation. India's tiger reserve count rose from 46 in 2014 to 58. Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh emphasized India's role in international big-cat conservation training, while various states initiated local conservation efforts.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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