More than half of all tiger deaths in India since 2021 have happened outside of protected tiger reserves, according to data shared by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). From January 2021 to mid-2025, India recorded 667 tiger deaths, and 341 of them (around 51%) occurred outside reserves.
Here’s how the numbers look each year:
- In 2021, 129 tigers died, with 64 deaths outside reserves.
- In 2022, 122 tigers died, 52 of them outside reserves.
- In 2023, 182 tigers died, 100 outside reserves.
- In 2024, 126 deaths were reported, 65 outside reserves.
- In the first half of 2025, 108 tigers died, and 60 of those were outside protected areas
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The states with the most deaths outside reserves were Maharashtra (111 deaths) and Madhya Pradesh (90 deaths).
Why Are Tigers Dying Outside Reserves?
About 30% of India’s tigers live outside the officially protected tiger reserves. These areas often lack strong forest protection, enough prey animals, and regular patrols, making tigers more vulnerable to dangers like poaching and accidents.
Some reserves like Corbett and Rajaji in Uttarakhand are getting overcrowded, which is pushing younger tigers into forests and farmlands outside reserves. In many areas, natural prey like deer and wild cattle are also disappearing. This leads tigers to hunt livestock, causing conflict with people and sometimes resulting in retaliation.
What Is the Government Doing?
To deal with this problem, the government has launched a new plan called “Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves” (TOTR). This will be put in place across 80 forest divisions in 17 states. goal is to reduce human-tiger conflict, improve safe pathways between forests, and increase tracking of tigers outside reserves.
The government is also relocating villages from core reserve areas to create safer habitats for tigers.
Looking Ahead
India has made great progress in tiger conservation, doubling its tiger population in a decade. But with more tigers living outside reserves, experts say more attention must be given to areas beyond official protected zones. Success will depend on better planning, habitat protection, and support for local communities living near tiger areas.
