International Tiger Day (July 29) holds special significance for Madhya Pradesh. Due to extensive conservation efforts, the state now boasts the highest number of tigers in the world—a matter of pride not just for Madhya Pradesh but for India as a whole. According to the 2022 tiger census, India had an estimated 3,682 tigers, with Madhya Pradesh alone accounting for 785—the highest in the country.
Madhya Pradesh has nine tiger reserves, namely—Kanha Kisli, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna (Bundelkhand), Satpura (Narmadapuram), Sanjay Dubri (Sidhi), Nauradehi, Madhav National Park (Shivpuri) and Dr. Vishnu Wakankar Tiger Reserve (Ratapani-Raisen). Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve hosts the highest number of tigers and is the most popular among all the state's reserves.
On Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav's initiative, Madhya Pradesh has launched several innovative projects for protection of tiger. These include:
Gene Testing: Plans are underway to conduct genetic testing of tigers for accurate identification.
Rescue Centres: Based on Gujarat’s Bantera model, rescue centers are being developed in Ujjain and Jabalpur.
Drone Squad: A "Drone Squad" has been deployed in Panna Tiger Reserve for wildlife tracking, fire detection, and mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
Village Relocation and Habitat Development: Over 200 villages have been relocated, significantly expanding tiger habitats and increasing their population.
These innovations have helped Madhya Pradesh become India’s top state in terms of tiger population.
Villages relocated from core areas
Villages from core areas of Kanha, Pench, and Kuno have been completely relocated. Over 90% of Satpura Tiger Reserve’s core area has also been cleared of human habitation. Post-relocation, local grass species have been restored with expert assistance to ensure year-round fodder for herbivores. With active habitat development, herbivores like spotted deer (chital)—primary prey for tigers—have increased and spread more evenly across the reserves.
Madhya Pradesh Leads in Tiger Reserve Management
Alongside earning the title of "Tiger State," Madhya Pradesh has achieved the top rank in the effective management of national parks and protected areas. The Satpura Tiger Reserve has been included in UNESCO's tentative list of World Heritage Sites. According to the central government's evaluation report on tiger reserve management effectiveness, Pench Tiger Reserve ranked the highest nationwide. Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Sanjay and Satpura Reserves were also rated as the best-managed reserves. These parks are known for their unique management plans and innovative conservation methods.
Rise in International Tourist Visits to MP Tiger Reserves
Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a major attraction in wildlife tourism. The number of both domestic and international tourists visiting the tiger reserves has been consistently increasing. Over the last five years, MP tiger reserves have seen a total of 738,637 Indian and 85,742 foreign tourists, bringing in Rs. 61.22 crore in revenue.
Kanha Declared Best Tiger Habitat in India
According to a report by the Wildlife Institute of India, Kanha Tiger Reserve has been declared the best tiger habitat in the country. The reserve boasts the highest population of herbivores in India, including chital, sambar, gaur, wild boar, barking deer, nilgai, and hog deer—providing an abundant food source for tigers.
Kanha’s landscape of grasslands, forests, and rivers offers an ideal environment for tiger habitation. Active habitat management includes Grassland maintenance, Water resource development and Removal of invasive species. Monitoring is carried out through the M-STrIPES mobile app and forest staff receives regular training.
Kanha Tiger Reserve is located in Mandla district covering total 2,074 sq. km area.
When Was International Tiger Day Started
The decision to observe International Tiger Day annually on 29 July was made at the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit in 2010 (Russia). At this summit, 13 tiger-range countries pledged to double the global tiger population by 2022.
Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a leader in consistently improving tiger management. Tiger conservation is not just crucial for biodiversity, but also for maintaining ecological balance.