Tigers, recognized by their distinctive orange coats and black stripes, are among the planet’s most iconic predators. As apex predators, they help maintain ecosystem balance. India is home to a substantial portion of the global tiger population, accounting for approximately 75% of the world’s wild tigers. Their continued presence highlights India’s significant conservation efforts for this species.
India’s Tiger Landscape
Tigers in India inhabit diverse ecological zones across the country. These large cats are found in various forest types, including tropical moist evergreen, tropical dry, moist, and dry deciduous forests. Their habitats also extend to tall grasslands, which offer ample cover and a rich prey base. A unique environment where tigers thrive is the mangrove swamps, particularly found in the eastern parts of the country. They survive in climates ranging from high mountains to coastal deltas.
Regional Tiger Strongholds
Tiger populations are found across several major geographical regions. The Shivalik-Gangetic Plains, encompassing areas like Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, form a stronghold within the Terai Arc Landscape. This region features alluvial grasslands and moist semi-deciduous forests, historically supporting dense tiger populations. Central India and the Eastern Ghats represent another extensive area for tigers, spanning states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. This landscape is characterized by tropical dry forests and moist deciduous forests, providing varied terrain and prey.
The Western Ghats landscape, covering Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, is known for its contiguous forest patches. This biodiverse area includes tropical moist evergreen and moist deciduous forests. In the North-Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra Flood Plains, including states like Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, tigers reside in a mix of grasslands and subtropical forests. Lastly, the Sunderbans in West Bengal stands out as a unique mangrove habitat. This estuarine region, with its complex network of tidal waterways, supports a population of tigers uniquely adapted to a semi-aquatic life.
Prominent Tiger Reserves
Within these strongholds, several prominent tiger reserves play an important role in tiger conservation. Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan is famous for its tigers, which are accustomed to the semi-arid landscape and open terrain, making them more visible. The park’s dry deciduous forests and historic ruins offer a unique backdrop for tiger sightings. Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh is renowned for having one of the highest densities of tigers in India. Its diverse habitat, including dense forests, bamboo, and grasslands, provides a suitable environment for the species.
Kanha National Park, also in Madhya Pradesh, is one of the largest tiger habitats. It features extensive sal forests and meadows, supporting a healthy prey base for tigers. Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand holds historical significance as India’s first national park included in Project Tiger. This park has a high density of tigers across its diverse terrain, including riverine belts, grasslands, and deep forests.
The Sunderbans National Park in West Bengal is unique as the only mangrove ecosystem supporting a tiger population. These tigers have adapted to the saline water and are skilled swimmers, navigating the intricate network of tidal channels. Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra is known for its tropical dry deciduous forests and is a good place to observe tigers in Central India. These reserves collectively showcase the diverse environments where tigers thrive, highlighting the success of conservation efforts across the country.