Tiger Reserves in India are protected forest areas designated for the conservation of the endangered Bengal Tiger and its habitat under the Project Tiger initiative, launched in 1973.
As of 2025, India has 58 notified Tiger Reserves spread across 18 Indian states. These reserves are officially declared by the State Governments under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, based on the recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
This article provides a comprehensive overview of Tiger Reserves in India, including a PDF map, state-wise list, associated rivers, and important facts—useful for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and State PCS.
Newly Added Tiger Reserves in India
In March 2025, Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh was officially notified as the 58th Tiger Reserve of India, making it the ninth tiger reserve in the state.
Here are the 5 latest additions to the list of tiger reserves in India, from 54th to 58th, along with their year of notification and state:
| S. No | Tiger Reserve | Year | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| 58th | Madhav Tiger Reserve | 2025 | Madhya Pradesh |
| 57th | Ratapani Tiger Reserve | 2024 | Madhya Pradesh |
| 56th | Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve | 2024 | Chhattisgarh |
| 55th | Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve | 2023 | Rajasthan |
| 54th | Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve | 2023 | Madhya Pradesh |
State-wise list of Tiger Reserves in India
The table below provides the state-wise list of Tiger Reserves in India, along with their associated rivers and respective years of notification.
Please Note:
- The river column indicates any key rivers that pass through or border each tiger reserve.
- The number in brackets after each state name indicates the total number of tiger reserves in that state.
- Although the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is primarily located in Andhra Pradesh, some parts of it extend into Telangana.
| S. No | Tiger Reserve | State | Year | River |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh (1) | 1982-83 | Krishna |
| 2. | Namdapha | Arunachal Pradesh (3) | 1982-83 | Burhi Dihing |
| 3. | Pakke | Arunachal Pradesh | 1999-2000 | Kameng, Pakke |
| 4. | Kamlang | Arunachal Pradesh | 2016-17 | Kamlang |
| 5. | Manas | Assam (4) | 1973-74 | Manas |
| 6. | Nameri | Assam | 1999-2000 | Jia-Bhoreli |
| 7. | Kaziranga | Assam | 2008-09 | Brahmaputra, Diphu |
| 8. | Orang | Assam | 2016 | Brahmaputra |
| 9. | Valmiki | Bihar (1) | 1989-90 | Gandak |
| 10. | Indravati | Chhattisgarh (4) | 1982-83 | Indravati |
| 11. | Udanti-Sitanadi | Chhattisgarh | 2008-09 | Udanti, Sitanadi |
| 12. | Achanakmar | Chhattisgarh | 2008-09 | |
| 13. | Guru Ghasidas–Tamor Pingla | Chhattisgarh | 2024 | |
| 14. | Palamau | Jharkhand (1) | 1973-74 | North Koel, Burha |
| 15. | Bandipur | Karnataka (5) | 1973-74 | Kabini |
| 16. | Bhadra | Karnataka | 1998-99 | Bhadra |
| 17. | Kali | Karnataka | 2008-09 | Kali |
| 18. | Nagarhole | Karnataka | 2008-09 | Nagarhole, Kabini |
| 19. | Biligiri Ranganatha Temple | Karnataka | 2010-11 | Suvarnavathi |
| 20. | Periyar | Kerala (2) | 1978-79 | Periyar, Pamba |
| 21. | Parambikulam | Kerala | 2008-09 | Parambikulam, Sholayar |
| 22. | Kanha | Madhya Pradesh (9) | 1973-74 | Banjar, Halon |
| 23. | Pench | Madhya Pradesh | 1992-93 | Pench |
| 24. | Bandhavgarh | Madhya Pradesh | 1993-94 | Charanganga |
| 25. | Panna | Madhya Pradesh | 1993-94 | Ken |
| 26. | Satpura | Madhya Pradesh | 1999-2000 | Denwa, Tawa |
| 27. | Sanjay Dubri | Madhya Pradesh | 2008-09 | Banas |
| 28. | Veerangana Durgavati | Madhya Pradesh | 2023 | |
| 29. | Ratapani | Madhya Pradesh | 2024 | Narmada, Kolar |
| 30. | Madhav | Madhya Pradesh | 2025 | Sindh |
| 31. | Melghat | Maharashtra (6) | 1973-74 | Tapti |
| 32. | Tadoba-Andhari | Maharashtra | 1993-94 | Andhari |
| 33. | Pench (MH) | Maharashtra | 1998-99 | Pench |
| 34. | Sahyadri | Maharashtra | 2009-10 | Koyna, Warna |
| 35. | Nawegaon-Nagzira | Maharashtra | 2013-13 | |
| 36. | Bor | Maharashtra | 2014 | Bor |
| 37. | Dampa | Mizoram (1) | 1994-95 | Teirei |
| 38. | Similipal | Odisha (2) | 1973-74 | |
| 39. | Satkosia | Odisha | 2008-09 | Mahanadi |
| 40. | Ranthambore | Rajasthan (5) | 1973-74 | Chambal, Banas |
| 41. | Sariska | Rajasthan | 1978-79 | |
| 42. | Mukundara Hills | Rajasthan | 2013-14 | Chambal |
| 43. | Ramgarh Vishdhari | Rajasthan | 2022 | Mez |
| 44. | Dholpur–Karauli | Rajasthan | 2023 | Chambal |
| 45. | Kalakad-Mundanthurai | Tamil Nadu (5) | 1988-89 | |
| 46. | Anamalai | Tamil Nadu | 2008-09 | Amaravati, Aliyar |
| 47. | Mudumalai | Tamil Nadu | 2008-09 | Moyar |
| 48. | Sathyamangalam | Tamil Nadu | 2013-14 | Bhavani |
| 49. | Srivilliputhur–Megamalai | Tamil Nadu | 2021 | Vaigai |
| 50. | Kawal | Telangana (2) | 2012-13 | Godavari, Kadam |
| 51. | Amrabad | Telangana | 2014 | Krishna |
| 52. | Dudhwa | Uttar Pradesh (3) | 1987-88 | Sharda, Suheli |
| 53. | Pilibhit | Uttar Pradesh | 2014 | Sharda |
| 54. | Ranipur | Uttar Pradesh | 2022 | Betwa |
| 55. | Corbett | Uttarakhand (2) | 1973-74 | Ramganga |
| Amanagarh Buffer** | Uttar Pradesh** | 2012 | ||
| 56. | Rajaji | Uttarakhand | 2015 | Ganga |
| 57. | Sundarbans | West Bengal (2) | 1973-74 | Matla, Hariabhanga |
| 58. | Buxa | West Bengal | 1982-83 | Sankosh, Jayanti |
**Amangarh Tiger Reserve (Uttar Pradesh) is a buffer zone of Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand).
Key Concepts: Understanding Tiger Reserves
- The tiger reserves in India were set up as a part of Project Tiger, initiated in 1973.
- Project Tiger is funded by the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), with shared contributions between the central and state governments.
- Legal Framework:
- Tiger Reserves in India are governed under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which provides the legislative framework for their creation and management.
- National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, oversees tiger conservation efforts in India.
- Tiger Reserve Declaration Process:
- Proposal prepared by the State Forest Department.
- Submitted to NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) for evaluation.
- NTCA reviews ecological suitability, habitat, tiger population, and corridor value.
- NTCA recommends the proposal to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- Final notification issued by the respective State Government under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Core/Buffer Area:
- Tiger reserves are constituted using a core-buffer strategy.
- Core Area:
- Also called the critical tiger habitat.
- It is a strictly protected zone where no human activity is generally allowed.
- Focuses entirely on wildlife conservation, especially for tigers and their prey.
- Rights of people are either settled or relocated under law.
- Buffer Zone:
- Surrounds or adjoins the core area.
- Aims to reduce pressure on the core zone.
- Sustainable human activities like eco-tourism, grazing, and resource use (with regulation) are permitted.
- Acts as a transition zone between fully protected forests and human settlements
Key Facts for Competitive Exams
- First Tiger Reserve: Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand was the first tiger reserve in India. It was at this reserve where the Project Tiger was officially launched in 1973.
- Latest Tiger Reserve: Madhav Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, notified in March 2025, is the latest addition to the list.
- Largest Tiger Reserve: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh is the largest, covering an area of 3,296 sq. km.
| Rank | Tiger Reserve | State | Total Area (km2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh | 3,296.31 |
| 2. | Manas | Assam | 2,837.10 |
| 3. | Guru Ghasidas–Tamor Pingla | Chhattisgarh | 2,829.38 |
- Smallest Tiger Reserve: Nameri Tiger Reserve in Assam is the smallest, spanning just 464 sq. km.
| Rank | Tiger Reserve | State | Total Area (km2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nameri | Assam | 464 |
| 2. | Orang | Assam | 492.46 |
| 3. | Ranipur | Uttar Pradesh | 529.36 |
- Largest Critical Tiger Habitat (Core Area): Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh has the largest core area (2,596 sq. km).
| Rank | Tiger Reserve | State | Core Area (km2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh | 2,595.72 |
| 2. | Amrabad | Telangana | 2,166.37 |
| 3. | Guru Ghasidas–Tamor Pingla | Chhattisgarh | 2,049.23 |
- Smallest Critical Tiger Habitat (Core Area): Orang Tiger Reserve in Assam has the smallest core area (79 sq. km).
| Rank | Tiger Reserve | State | Core Area (km2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Orang | Assam | 79.28 |
| 2. | Bor | Maharashtra | 138.12 |
| 3. | Ranipur | Uttar Pradesh | 230.31 |
- Largest Buffer Zone: Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam has the largest buffer area (2,311 sq. km).
- Madhya Pradesh, with a total of 9 tiger reserves, has the highest number of tiger reserves in India.
- As per the 2022 Tiger Census, Madhya Pradesh, with 785 tigers, also has the highest tiger population, earning it the title of the “Tiger State“.
- The tiger is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List due to threats like poaching, habitat loss, and human-tiger conflict.
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES): Tigers are listed under Appendix I, which prohibits international trade of tiger parts and derivatives.
- Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), set up under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, collaborates with NTCA to prevent tiger poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
- M-STrIPES Program: Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status is an NTCA initiative to monitor tiger movements and habitats.
- India hosts over 75% of the world’s tiger population, making it the largest habitat for tigers globally.
- Tiger Census in India is conducted every four years by NTCA using methods like camera trapping and pugmark analysis.
- According to the 2022 Tiger Census, India has at least 3,167 tigers. The estimated population ranges up to 3,925, with an average estimate of 3,682 tigers.
- Global Tiger Day, also known as International Tiger Day, is celebrated every year on 29th July.
