India proudly commemorates 52 years of Project Tiger, a pioneering initiative that transformed the landscape of wildlife conservation. On this day in 1973, the Government of India launched Project Tiger to protect the country’s dwindling tiger population. With a legacy of resilience and determination, the project has played a crucial role in increasing tiger populations and preserving their natural habitats.Over five decades, the initiative has grown into one of the world’s most successful wildlife conservation programs.

From just 1,411 tigers in 2006, India’s wild tiger population surged to 3,682 in 2022, making it home to nearly 75 per cent of the world’s wild tigers. The country now has 57 tiger reserves, covering approximately 83,000 sq km of forest land. Tamil Nadu alone houses five tiger reserves spread across 6,200 sq km, sheltering 306 tigers.

A major milestone came when India achieved its target of doubling tiger numbers, four years ahead of schedule of         ‘St. The Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation was held in Russia. In 2023, the country further cemented its leadership in conservation by launching the International Big Cats Alliance to protect big cats worldwide.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, which plays a key role in the ‘PROJECT TIGER. ‘

As India celebrates 52 years of Project Tiger, it stands as a global inspiration in wildlife conservation, proving that dedicated efforts can reverse species decline and create a thriving ecosystem for future generations.