Why this matters now
Tiger conservation is a recurring environment topic — for the institutional set-up (Project Tiger, NTCA), the legal basis (Wildlife Protection Act), the latest tiger census numbers, and the model of core (inviolate) + buffer (coexistence) zones that informs all of India’s protected-area policy.
Project Tiger (1973)
Project Tiger was launched in 1973 as a centrally sponsored scheme to save the tiger from extinction by protecting viable populations in their natural habitats. It began with nine reserves (including Corbett, Bandipur, Kanha, Ranthambore, Manas, Sundarbans and others) and has since expanded to 50+ reserves across the country.
NTCA and the legal basis
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was created by a 2006 amendment to the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to give Project Tiger statutory backing. It approves tiger reserves, lays down standards, and oversees the core (critical tiger habitat) and buffer notification. Reserves are notified by state governments on NTCA’s advice.
The core-and-buffer model
- Core / Critical Tiger Habitat — kept inviolate for tiger breeding; human activity is minimised and voluntary relocation is offered;
- Buffer zone — a surrounding area of coexistence, allowing regulated use and eco-development for local communities while supporting the core.
The tiger census
India conducts the All-India Tiger Estimation every four years, using camera traps and the M-STrIPES monitoring system. The 2022 estimate put India’s tiger population at about 3,682 — around three-quarters of the world’s wild tigers — a strong recovery from the ~1,400 low of 2006. Reserves like Corbett and the Western Ghats landscapes hold the densest populations.
UPSC angle
Know the chain: Project Tiger (1973) → NTCA (2006 WLPA amendment) → core-and-buffer → 4-yearly census (M-STrIPES). Remember India hosts ~75% of the world’s wild tigers.
Frequently asked questions
When was Project Tiger launched?
In 1973, as a centrally sponsored scheme that began with nine tiger reserves and has grown to over 50.
What is the NTCA?
The National Tiger Conservation Authority, a statutory body created by a 2006 amendment to the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, which oversees tiger reserves and the core-buffer framework.
What is the core-and-buffer model?
Tiger reserves have an inviolate core (critical tiger habitat) for breeding and a surrounding buffer zone of regulated human-wildlife coexistence.
How many tigers are there in India?
The 2022 All-India Tiger Estimation put the population at about 3,682 — roughly three-quarters of the world’s wild tigers.