In a major boost to India’s wildlife conservation efforts, the tiger population at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) has climbed to 148, marking an increase of 27 tigers since the last count. A report titled “Status of Tigers in Kaziranga, 2024” and published on the occasion of International Tiger Day on Tuesday, revealed the boost in the count of big cats.
The sharp increase is attributed primarily to the first-ever sampling in the Biswanath wildlife division, which alone recorded 27 adult tigers, enhancing Kaziranga’s overall tally. This new division had not been included in previous assessments.
Of the total 148 adult tigers, the breakdown includes 83 females, 55 males and 10 of undetermined sex, as recorded across the three divisions— Eastern Assam, Nagaon and Biswanath.
In Eastern Assam wildlife division, tiger population rose from 104 to 115, while Nagaon division Maintained a stable population of 6 and Biswanath division contributed 27 new tigers to the count.
Assam forest department sources said the census was conducted between December 2023 and April 2024, adhering to Phase IV protocols prescribed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India.
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“A grid-based sampling method using camera traps was deployed across 1,307.49 sq km to ensure spatially balanced data. The analysis followed the mark-recapture statistical model, widely regarded as one of the most accurate methods for wildlife estimation,” said a forest department official in Assam.
With the new figures, Kaziranga now ranks third globally in tiger density, boasting 18.65 tigers per 100 sq km. It stands just behind Bandipur Tiger Reserve with 19.83 tigers per 100 sq km and Corbett National Park with 19.56 tigers per 100 sq km.
A senior forest official attributed the growth to robust conservation strategies, including habitat expansion and tighter protection measures. The use of technology has revolutionised monitoring and enforcement at the park. “Other than camera traps, we engaged drones, infrared surveillance systems and the digital tracking system to enhance real-time patrolling and data accuracy,” said the official.
The official also highlighted the vital role played by 113 trained Van Durgas, an all-women forest guard force, who operate in coordination with local communities and civil society groups to ensure the security of wildlife. "This milestone is not just a reason to celebrate, but a reminder of our responsibility,” the official added.
Moreover, more than half of the tiger deaths in India since 2021 occurred outside protected reserves, an analysis of government data revealed on Tuesday, even as the country pushes ahead with new initiatives to strengthen conservation, including an India-led global alliance for big cats and efforts to relocate villages from core tiger habitats.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) statistics indicate that 667 tigers have been killed between 2021 and up to 2025, while 341, or 51 per cent, of them have been killed outside tiger reserves.
Maharashtra had the maximum number of such fatalities at 111, followed by Madhya Pradesh at 90. It also records 129 deaths of tigers in 2021, 122 in 2022, 182 in 2023, 126 in 2024 and 108 up to 2025.
With about 3,682 tigers, India still grapples with the issue of conserving tigers outside of reserves, where close to 30 per cent of the population resides. To counter this, the government intends to introduce the Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) project, including 80 forest divisions spread across 17 states, to mitigate human-tiger conflict.
On International Tiger Day, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said that 24 nations have volunteered to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), a global initiative headed by India to conserve seven species of big cats. The alliance has currently 12 member countries, including Bhutan, Cambodia and Ethiopia.
Yadav informed the number of tiger reserves has increased from 46 in 2014 to 58 currently, showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to safeguard the national animal. He also initiated a countrywide tree plantation drive under which over one lakh saplings will be planted in all tiger reserves.
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