India, home to more than 70% of the world’s wild tiger population, has long recognized the importance of conserving this iconic species. To safeguard these majestic big cats and their natural habitats, the Government of India launched Project Tiger in 1973, marking the beginning of systematic tiger conservation efforts. This initiative led to the establishment of tiger reserves — protected areas specifically designated for the conservation of tigers and biodiversity. The core objective of these reserves is to ensure a viable population of tigers in their natural surroundings, minimizing human interference while promoting eco-development in surrounding areas. Each reserve consists of a core zone, which is strictly protected and free from human activity, and a buffer zone, where sustainable activities and regulated tourism are allowed.

Over the decades, the number of tiger reserves in India has grown significantly under the guidance of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). As of 2025, India has over 58 tiger reserves, covering more than 84,500 sq km across diverse landscapes — from the dense mangroves of the Sundarbans in West Bengal to the deciduous forests of Madhya Pradesh and the tropical forests of the Western Ghats. These reserves not only serve as critical sanctuaries for tigers but also play a crucial role in protecting countless other species, preserving watersheds, and maintaining ecological balance. The success of India’s tiger reserves is evident in the gradual recovery of tiger numbers, making the country a global leader in big cat conservation and an example of committed wildlife protection.

As per the section 38 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the primary goals of the tiger reserves in India revolve around the long-term conservation of the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) and the ecosystems they inhabit. Established under Project Tiger, these reserves aim to ensure a viable, healthy population of wild tigers in India, free-ranging in their natural habitat. One of the core objectives is to protect the tiger from threats such as poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. This is achieved through strict protection measures in the core areas of reserves, where human activity is prohibited, and sustainable practices in the buffer zones, where eco-development and community participation are encouraged. Another significant goal is to maintain the ecological integrity of tiger habitats, which benefits countless other flora and fauna species.

The reserves also aim to promote research, education, and awareness about tiger conservation to foster public support. Furthermore, tiger reserves serve as key sites for monitoring tiger populations, studying behavior, and understanding the impacts of climate change and human encroachment on wildlife. An important aspect of their goal is the involvement of local communities by promoting eco-tourism and alternative livelihoods, thereby reducing dependency on forest resources and building a sense of ownership in conservation. Additionally, through national policies led by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), these reserves contribute to a larger goal of maintaining genetic diversity by establishing wildlife corridors that allow tigers to migrate and interbreed across landscapes. Overall, the goals of India’s tiger reserves are comprehensive, focusing on protection, coexistence, and sustainability.

In 2006, it was estimated that there were 1,411 tigers living in the wild, the lowest ever recorded. The 2010 National Tiger Assessment estimated the total population of wild tigers in India at 1,706. As per Ministry of Environment and Forests, the wild tiger population in India stood at 2,226 in 2014 with an increase of 30.5% since the 2010 estimate.

In 2018, according to the National Tiger Conservation Authority, there were an estimated 2,967 wild tigers in existence in India. PM Narendra Modi released the figures of the 2022 tiger census to mark 50 years of Project Tiger and concluded that there are presently 3,682 tigers in India, which is about 70% of the global wild tiger population.

Tiger reserves were set up as a part of Project Tiger initiated in 1973 and are administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority of Government of India. Tiger reserves consist of a core area which includes part(s) of protected areas such as a national park or a wildlife sanctuary and a buffer zone which is a mix of forested and non-forested land. Project tiger is aimed at performing the necessary activities to ensure viability of tiger population in the core area and to promote a balance between the existence of people and animals in the buffer zones.

In 1973, nine protected areas were initially designated as tiger reserves. By the late 1980s, the initial nine reserves covering an area of 9,115 km² (3,519 sq mi) had been increased to 15 reserves covering an area of 24,700 km² (9,500 sq mi). More than 1,100 tigers were estimated to inhabit the reserves by 1984. By 1997, 23 tiger reserves encompassed an area of 33,000 km² (13,000 sq mi). As of March 2025, there are 58 protected areas that have been designated as tiger reserves.