Madhya Pradesh marked International Tiger Day with a remarkable milestone—recording the highest number of tigers in the world.
According to the 2022 All-India Tiger Estimation, the state is home to 785 tigers out of India’s total of 3,682, reaffirming its position as the “Tiger State” of the country.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the state has implemented a range of effective wildlife conservation measures that have contributed to the steady rise in tiger numbers.
Madhya Pradesh’s well-connected tiger corridors linking northern and southern Indian reserves have supported natural tiger movement, while core forest areas have been freed from human settlements through strategic village relocations.
Core zones in Kanha, Pench, and Kuno national parks have seen full relocation of villages, and over 90% of Satpura Tiger Reserve’s core area is now free of human habitation.
Post-relocation, the government has restored native grass species with expert support, ensuring year-round fodder for herbivores like chital, the primary prey for tigers. This has led to an increase and more even distribution of herbivore populations within the reserves.
MP Tops in Tiger Reserve Management
Madhya Pradesh is not only home to the largest number of tigers but also leads in reserve management practices. The central government’s evaluation of tiger reserves ranked Pench Tiger Reserve as the best-managed in the country.
Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Sanjay, and Satpura also featured among the top-performing reserves. In addition, Satpura Tiger Reserve has been placed on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites.
The state has taken several key initiatives to ensure the success of its conservation programs, including improved wildlife sanctuary management, use of advanced tracking technologies, and livelihood support for forest-dwelling communities.
Madhya Pradesh currently has nine tiger reserves: Kanha Kisli, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna (Bundelkhand), Satpura (Narmadapuram), Sanjay Dubri (Sidhi), Nauradehi, Madhav National Park (Shivpuri), and Dr. Vishnu Wakankar Tiger Reserve (Ratapani-Raisen). Among these, Bandhavgarh hosts the highest number of tigers and remains the most visited reserve.
Surge in International Wildlife Tourism
Wildlife tourism in Madhya Pradesh has seen significant growth, with a rising number of international tourists visiting the state's reserves. In 2024–25, Bandhavgarh received 32,528 foreign tourists, followed by Kanha (23,059), Panna (15,201), Pench (13,127), and Satpura (10,038). The previous year, Bandhavgarh saw 25,894 international visitors, showing a clear upward trend.
In the last five years, MP tiger reserves have welcomed 738,637 Indian and 85,742 foreign tourists, generating ₹61.22 crore in tourism revenue.
Kanha Declared Best Tiger Habitat in the Country
The Wildlife Institute of India has declared Kanha Tiger Reserve as the best tiger habitat in India. It houses the largest herbivore population in the country—including chital, sambar, gaur, wild boar, barking deer, nilgai, and hog deer—ensuring ample prey for its tigers. The park’s balanced mix of grasslands, forest patches, and rivers makes it an ideal environment for big cats.
Active habitat management at Kanha includes grassland maintenance, water source development, and removal of invasive species. Monitoring is conducted through the M-STrIPES mobile app, and forest staff undergo regular training. The reserve spans 2,074 sq. km in Mandla district, including a 917.43 sq. km core zone and a 1,134 sq. km buffer area.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav congratulated the forest department on Kanha’s recognition and urged other reserves to adopt similar best practices.
State Adopts Innovative Tiger Conservation Methods
The state has also launched several forward-looking initiatives on the direction of CM Dr. Mohan Yadav:
- Gene Testing: Genetic profiling of tigers is being planned for precise identification and monitoring.
- Rescue Centers: Facilities based on Gujarat’s Bantera model are being developed in Ujjain and Jabalpur.
- Drone Squad: A drone unit has been deployed in Panna for surveillance, forest fire detection, and conflict mitigation.
- Village Relocation and Habitat Development: More than 200 villages have been relocated, leading to expansion of tiger habitats and increased tiger populations.
These initiatives have strengthened Madhya Pradesh’s position as India’s top tiger conservation state.
Wildlife Crime Control Measures Strengthened
The state has taken robust steps to curb wildlife crimes. A dedicated Wildlife Crime Control Unit has been established, and coordinated operations between police and forest departments are yielding results. Local forest committees are playing a proactive role in protecting wildlife and preventing poaching.
Modern technologies such as drones and camera traps are used for surveillance. A comprehensive database of wildlife offenders has been created, and the forest department is working with international organizations to further enhance conservation efforts. These measures have led to a decline in poaching incidents and growth in wildlife populations.
Background of International Tiger Day
International Tiger Day is observed every year on July 29. It was established at the 2010 St. Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia, where 13 tiger-range countries pledged to double the global tiger population by 2022.
Madhya Pradesh's consistent efforts in habitat improvement, technological innovation, and community engagement have made it a national and global leader in tiger conservation. As Chief Minister Yadav continues to lead the charge, the state stands as a model for biodiversity protection and ecological balance.
