India’s Remarkable Tiger Conservation Success: A Model for Coexistence

by YOUxTalks | Feb 7, 2025 | Health

India now hosts the world’s largest tiger population, despite having the highest human density. Previously, it had only 18% of the global tiger habitat, but in just over a decade, the country has doubled its tiger population to more than 3,600, which now makes up 75% of the world’s total. These tigers now inhabit an area of 138,200 square kilometers—about half the size of the UK—while coexisting with approximately 60 million people.

A new study attributes this success to strong anti-poaching measures, habitat protection, securing prey populations, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and uplifting local communities. The research challenges the idea that human density alone is detrimental to large carnivore conservation, emphasizing that societal attitudes and effective policies are more significant factors.

Conservation Success Amid Challenges

The study analyzed tiger occupancy in India from 2006 to 2018, during which the country surveyed tiger habitats every four years across 20 states, monitoring their distribution, co-predators, prey, and habitat quality. During this period, tiger habitats expanded by 30%, growing by approximately 2,929 square kilometers annually.

Tigers have not only thrived in well-protected, prey-rich environments but have also adapted to human-dominated landscapes. The extent of human-tiger coexistence varies across the country, influenced by economic conditions, cultural factors, and social settings. Certain states have successfully maintained high tiger densities alongside human populations, while others—especially those with histories of poaching and bushmeat hunting—have seen local tiger populations decline or vanish. These areas, often among the poorest in the country, lack the economic incentives that promote conservation through wildlife tourism and government-backed compensation for losses due to human-wildlife conflict.

The Double-Edged Sword of Development

The study highlights that while economic growth can support tiger recovery by funding conservation initiatives and sustainable land use, it can also pose risks through habitat destruction. Rapid urbanization and changes in land use threaten tiger territories, making it essential to adopt an inclusive model of rural prosperity that prioritizes ecological sustainability.

Armed conflict has also played a significant role in tiger population declines. Globally, political instability has led to wildlife losses, with poachers exploiting lawless areas for financial gain. In India, past conflicts in national parks resulted in the loss of key species, while reserves in conflict-affected areas experienced severe declines in tiger populations. However, protected areas that have regained stability are now showing signs of recovery, indicating that with improved governance, tigers can reclaim lost habitats.

The Future of Tiger Conservation

Despite the impressive recovery, India still has vast tiger-free habitats, particularly in central and eastern states. These regions, spanning approximately 157,000 square kilometers, could potentially support tiger reintroduction and habitat connectivity efforts, restoring around 10,000 square kilometers of tiger-friendly terrain.

Recovering large carnivores in densely populated and economically disadvantaged areas remains a complex challenge. Two key conservation approaches—land sparing, which separates human settlements from wildlife, and land sharing, which promotes coexistence—are often debated. While some argue that land sharing increases human-wildlife conflict, others point out that land sparing is not always practical. The study suggests that a combination of both strategies is necessary for long-term tiger conservation in India.

Although rising human-wildlife conflicts have resulted in fatalities, the study notes that tiger-related deaths remain statistically low compared to other causes, such as vehicle accidents or snake bites. Historically, human deaths from predator attacks were considered a natural risk of coexisting with wildlife. Today, such incidents attract widespread attention, but in reality, the likelihood of a fatal tiger encounter is lower than many other everyday dangers.

India’s tiger conservation success story offers valuable lessons for the world. By balancing conservation with sustainable development, fostering community participation, and ensuring long-term habitat protection, the country has demonstrated that even in high-density human settlements, large carnivores can thrive.