Tiger reserves in India are protected areas established under Project Tiger — India’s most successful wildlife conservation programme — and they are a consistently tested topic in UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, Banking, Railways, and State PSC environment sections.
India currently has 58 tiger reserves managed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). From Jim Corbett — the first tiger reserve — to Madhav in MP (2025) — the most recently notified — this page gives you a complete, state-wise updated list with area, establishment year, key rivers, and exam-critical conservation facts for focused revision.
⚡ Quick Facts
- India has 58 Tiger Reserves as of 2026 — the highest number of tiger reserves in any country in the world.
- Project Tiger was launched on 1 April 1973 at Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand — by PM Indira Gandhi.
- Madhya Pradesh is the “Tiger State” with the highest tiger population (~785 tigers, 2022 Census) — followed by Karnataka (~563) and Uttarakhand (~560).
- Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve (Uttarakhand) was India’s first tiger reserve — notified in 1973.
- Mhadei (Goa) was notified in 2023 — becoming Goa’s first-ever tiger reserve.
Students confuse most TRs by state (Madhya Pradesh — 9 reserves) with most tigers by state (Madhya Pradesh — ~785 tigers). Note: MP leads on both counts; Maharashtra has 6 TRs. Also: Sundarbans has “swimming tigers” in mangroves — it is NOT India’s largest tiger reserve by area (that is Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh). Bandhavgarh has the highest tiger density — not the most tigers in total. And the most recently notified reserve is Madhav (MP, 2025) — not Mhadei or Madhav 2023.
✅ My Progress Tracker
🐯 Tiger Reserves in India — Complete List
| # ↕ | Tiger Reserve ↕ | State ↕ | Notified ↕ | Key River / Feature | Notable Exam Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Corbett | Uttarakhand | 1973 | Ramganga River | India’s FIRST tiger reserve; Project Tiger launched here (1 Apr 1973) by PM Indira Gandhi |
| 2 | Kanha | Madhya Pradesh | 1973 | Halon, Banjar Rivers | Barasingha (Swamp Deer) saved here; inspired Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” |
| 3 | Manas | Assam | 1973 | Manas, Beki Rivers | UNESCO World Heritage Site; Golden Langur habitat; one of the original 9 TRs |
| 4 | Palamau | Jharkhand | 1973 | Koel, Auranga Rivers | First tiger reserve in East India; tigers and elephants coexist |
| 5 | Ranthambore | Rajasthan | 1973 | Chambal, Banas (nearby) | India’s most visited tiger reserve; Ranthambore Fort inside the reserve |
| 6 | Simlipal | Odisha | 1973 | Budhabalanga, Salandi | Home to melanistic (black) tigers; also elephants; Barehipani Falls located here |
| 7 | Sundarbans | West Bengal | 1973 | Hooghly, Ganges delta | UNESCO WHS; world’s largest mangrove tiger habitat; “swimming tigers” |
| 8 | Melghat | Maharashtra | 1973 | Tapti (Tapi) River | First TR in Maharashtra; “Melghat” means junction of ghats |
| 9 | Bandipur | Karnataka | 1973 | Kabini, Moyar Rivers | Part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve; adjacent to Nagarhole, Mudumalai, Wayanad |
| 10 | Dudhwa | Uttar Pradesh | 1977 | Mohana, Suheli Rivers | Barasingha and tigers; terai ecosystem; on India-Nepal border |
| 11 | Periyar | Kerala | 1978 | Periyar River / Lake | Kerala’s main tiger reserve; Periyar Lake; famous boat safaris |
| 12 | Sariska | Rajasthan | 1978 | Sabi, Ruparel Rivers | Tigers reintroduced from Ranthambore; historic temples inside the reserve |
| 13 | Indravati | Chhattisgarh | 1982 | Indravati River | Central Indian tiger landscape; wild buffalo habitat |
| 14 | Namdapha | Arunachal Pradesh | 1982 | Noa-Dehing River | 4 big cats coexist: tiger, leopard, snow leopard, and clouded leopard |
| 15 | Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh (+ Telangana) | 1983 | Krishna River | Largest tiger reserve in India by area (~3,568 sq. km); straddles AP and Telangana |
| 16 | Buxa | West Bengal | 1983 | Raidak, Jayanti Rivers | Near Bhutan border; elephant corridor from Bhutan to India |
| 17 | Kalakkad-Mundanthurai | Tamil Nadu | 1988 | Tambaraparani River | Southernmost tiger reserve in India; extreme biodiversity; Western Ghats |
| 18 | Valmiki | Bihar | 1990 | Gandak River | Only tiger reserve in Bihar; terai ecosystem; borders Nepal |
| 19 | Pench | MP + Maharashtra | 1992 | Pench River | “Jungle Book country”; straddles two states (MP and Maharashtra) |
| 20 | Tadoba-Andhari | Maharashtra | 1993 | Tadoba, Andhari Rivers | Largest TR in Maharashtra; highest tiger density in Maharashtra |
| 21 | Bandhavgarh | Madhya Pradesh | 1993 | Johilla River | Highest tiger density in India; historically known for white tigers |
| 22 | Panna | Madhya Pradesh | 1994 | Ken River | Tigers reintroduced (2009–2012) after complete local extinction; Ken-Betwa project area |
| 23 | Dampha | Mizoram | 1994 | Tuivai River | Only tiger reserve in Mizoram; endangered Hoolock gibbon habitat |
| 24 | Bhadra | Karnataka | 1998 | Bhadra River | Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary; part of Western Ghats biodiversity zone |
| 25 | Pakke (Pakhui) | Arunachal Pradesh | 1999 | Pakke River | Important Hornbill sanctuary; tigers and elephants |
| 26 | Nameri | Assam | 1999 | Jia-Bhoroli River | Adjacent to Pakke TR; tigers and elephants |
| 27 | Nagarhole (Rajiv Gandhi) | Karnataka | 1999 | Kabini River | Kabini reservoir; part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve; adjacent to Bandipur |
| 28 | Bori-Satpura | Madhya Pradesh | 1999 | Denwa, Tawa Rivers | Part of Satpura tiger landscape; dense sal forests |
| 29 | Kaziranga | Assam | 2006 | Brahmaputra (nearby) | UNESCO WHS; famous for one-horned rhinos; also highest tiger density in Assam |
| 30 | Mudumalai | Tamil Nadu | 2007 | Moyar River | Part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve; adjacent to Bandipur and Nagarhole |
| 31 | Anamalai (Indira Gandhi NP) | Tamil Nadu | 2008 | Amaravathi River | Anamalai Hills; high elephant and tiger density |
| 32 | Achanakmar | Chhattisgarh | 2009 | Manihar River | Baiga tribal community area; part of Amarkantak biosphere landscape |
| 33 | Udanti-Sitanadi | Chhattisgarh | 2009 | Mahanadi basin | Wild buffalo (Gaur); tribal communities; central Indian landscape |
| 34 | Parambikulam | Kerala | 2009 | Parambikulam River | Award-winning conservation model; strong local community involvement |
| 35 | Sahyadri | Maharashtra | 2010 | Koyna, Chandoli area | Western Ghats; Koyna WLS and Chandoli NP combined |
| 36 | BRT (Biligiri Ranganatha Temple) | Karnataka | 2011 | Suvarnavati River | India’s first tiger reserve in a Community Reserve; Soliga tribal community |
| 37 | Kawal | Telangana | 2012 | Godavari, Wardha Rivers | Telangana’s only tiger reserve; central Indian tiger landscape |
| 38 | Sathyamangalam | Tamil Nadu | 2013 | Bhavani River | Connects Nilgiris landscape; previously known for poaching; now recovering |
| 39 | Navegaon-Nagzira | Maharashtra | 2013 | Navegaon Lake | Part of central Indian tiger corridor |
| 40 | Bor | Maharashtra | 2014 | Bor River | Maharashtra’s smallest TR (~138 sq. km); near Nagpur; satellite tiger population |
| 41 | Rajaji | Uttarakhand | 2015 | Ganga River | Elephants; Shivalik Hills landscape; recently notified as TR |
| 42 | Orang | Assam | 2016 | Brahmaputra (Jia Bharali) | “Mini-Kaziranga”; one-horned rhino and pygmy hog |
| 43 | Kamlang | Arunachal Pradesh | 2016 | Kamlang River | Easternmost tiger reserve in India |
| 44 | Srivilliputhur-Megamalai | Tamil Nadu | 2021 | Vaigai basin | Tamil Nadu’s 5th TR; Grizzled Giant Squirrel habitat |
| 45 | Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla | Chhattisgarh | 2021 | Johilla River | Chhattisgarh’s 4th TR; tribal landscape |
| 46 | Ramgarh Vishdhari | Rajasthan | 2022 | Mej River | Rajasthan’s 4th TR; links Ranthambore and Mukundra corridors |
| 47 | Askot | Uttarakhand | 2022 | Kali (Mahakali) River | UK’s 3rd TR; Himalayan musk deer; near Nepal border |
| 48 | Ranipur | Uttar Pradesh | 2022 | Ken River | UP’s 3rd TR; near Panna TR; important wildlife corridor |
| 49 | Ratapani | Madhya Pradesh | 2024 | Betwa River | MP’s TR near Bhopal; recently notified |
| 50 | Veerangana Durgavati | Madhya Pradesh | 2023 | Sunar River | Named after freedom fighter Rani Durgavati; among MP’s recent TRs (2023) |
| 51 | Mhadei | Goa | 2023 | Mhadei River | Goa’s FIRST tiger reserve; disputed river; vital Western Ghats wildlife corridor |
| 52 | Madhav | Madhya Pradesh | 2025 | Sind River | Near Shivpuri, MP; India’s 58th TR (March 2025); once a Mughal and Maharaja hunting ground |
| 53 | Dibang | Arunachal Pradesh | 2017 | Dibang River | Largest TR in India when combining all areas; Mishmi Hills |
| 54 | Sunabeda | Odisha | 2023 | Upper Mahanadi | Wolf and tiger habitat; among India’s newest TRs |
📊 State-wise Tiger Reserve Summary
| State | No. of TRs | Notable TRs | Tiger Population (2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madhya Pradesh | 9 | Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Pench, Satpura, Veerangana Durgavati, Madhav, Ratapani… | ~785 (“Tiger State”) |
| Maharashtra | 6 | Melghat, Tadoba-Andhari, Pench, Sahyadri, Navegaon-Nagzira, Bor | ~312 |
| Rajasthan | 4 | Ranthambore, Sariska, Ramgarh Vishdhari, Mukundra Hills | ~88 |
| Karnataka | 5 | Bandipur, Nagarhole, BRT, Bhadra, Cauvery | ~563 (2nd highest) |
| Tamil Nadu | 5 | Kalakkad-Mundanthurai, Mudumalai, Anamalai, Sathyamangalam, Srivilliputhur | ~264 |
| Uttarakhand | 3 | Jim Corbett (India’s first), Rajaji, Askot | ~560 (3rd highest) |
| Assam | 4 | Manas, Kaziranga, Nameri, Orang | ~190 |
| Chhattisgarh | 4 | Indravati, Achanakmar, Udanti-Sitanadi, Guru Ghasidas | ~17 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 3 | Namdapha, Pakke, Kamlang | ~29 |
| Bihar | 1 | Valmiki (only TR in Bihar) | ~54 |
| Mizoram | 1 | Dampha (only TR in Mizoram) | — |
| Goa | 1 | Mhadei (Goa’s first TR, 2023) | — |
🏛️ Tiger Reserves That Are Also UNESCO World Heritage Sites
| Tiger Reserve | State | UNESCO WHS Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaziranga | Assam | 1985 | Famous for one-horned rhinos; also has significant tiger population |
| Manas | Assam | 1985 | Golden Langur; Project Tiger reserve from 1973 |
| Sundarbans | West Bengal | 1987 | Largest mangrove tiger habitat; “swimming tigers” |
⚖️ Compare Two Tiger Reserves
📝 Key Notes & Memory Tips
- Launched: 1 April 1973, Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
- Initiated by: PM Indira Gandhi
- Governing body: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Tiger count at launch (1973): ~1,800 tigers
- Tiger count (2022 Census): 3,682 tigers (average estimate; minimum 3,167) — India has ~75% of the world’s wild tiger population
- India exceeded the global Tx2 target (doubling tiger numbers by 2022) set at the 2010 St. Petersburg Tiger Summit
- Most TRs by state: Madhya Pradesh (9) — Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Pench, Satpura, Bori-Satpura, Veerangana Durgavati, Ratapani, Madhav (Maharashtra has 6)
- Most tigers by state: Madhya Pradesh (~785) — “Tiger State”
- First TR: Jim Corbett (Uttarakhand, 1973)
- Latest TRs: Dholpur-Karauli (Rajasthan, 2024 — 55th), Ratapani (MP, Dec 2024 — 57th), Madhav (MP, Mar 2025 — 58th)
- Only TR in Bihar: Valmiki | Only TR in Mizoram: Dampha | Only TR in Goa: Mhadei | Only TR in Telangana: Kawal
- Southernmost: Kalakkad-Mundanthurai (Tamil Nadu) | Easternmost: Kamlang (Arunachal Pradesh)
- Jim Corbett: First TR; Project Tiger birthplace (1973)
- Sundarbans: Only mangrove tiger habitat; swimming tigers; UNESCO WHS
- Bandhavgarh: Highest tiger density in India
- Namdapha: 4 big cats coexist (tiger, leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard)
- Panna: Tigers reintroduced after complete local extinction (2009–2012)
- BRT: India’s first TR in a Community Reserve area
- Kaziranga: UNESCO WHS; famous for rhinos + highest tiger density in Assam
- Simlipal: Home to melanistic (black) tigers
India conducts a tiger census every 4 years using camera traps, pug marks, and remote sensing. The 5th All India Tiger Estimation (2022) recorded 3,682 tigers (average estimate; minimum 3,167) — the highest ever. The first census in 2006 recorded only 1,411 tigers. India has successfully doubled its tiger population since 2006 — ahead of the global Tx2 target. India hosts approximately 70–75% of the world’s wild tiger population.
The number of TRs has grown from 9 (1973) to 58 (2025). Recent additions: Ramgarh Vishdhari (Rajasthan, 2022), Ranipur (UP, 2022), Veerangana Durgavati (MP, 2023), Mhadei (Goa, 2023 — Goa’s first), Dholpur-Karauli (Rajasthan, 2024 — 55th), Ratapani (MP, Dec 2024 — 57th), Madhav (MP, Mar 2025 — 58th). The exact count of 58 is the most commonly tested single number in this topic.
Original 9 TRs (1973): “Come, King Monkeys! Powerful Simians Sometimes Make Deadly Bites”
C = Corbett | K = Kanha | M = Manas | P = Palamau | S = Ranthambore (Sawai Madhopur) | S = Simlipal | M = Melghat | D = Sundarbans | B = Bandipur
State leaders: “MP 9 TRs (most), MP Tiger State, Maharashtra 6 TRs”
Madhya Pradesh = most TRs (9) AND most tigers (~785) | Maharashtra = 6 TRs | Rajasthan = 4 TRs
UNESCO WHS Tigers: “Kaziranga Manas Sundarbans” (both 1985, 1987)
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Project Tiger was launched on 1 April 1973 at Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Jim Corbett thus became India’s first tiger reserve. The programme was initiated to protect the declining tiger population — India had only about 1,800 tigers at the time. Project Tiger is now governed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
As per the 5th All India Tiger Estimation (2022), Madhya Pradesh has the highest tiger population with approximately 785 tigers, followed by Karnataka (~563) and Uttarakhand (~560). Madhya Pradesh is called the “Tiger State.” India’s total tiger count in 2022 was 3,682 (average estimate; minimum 3,167) — approximately 70–75% of the world’s wild tiger population.
India has 58 Tiger Reserves as of 2025, managed by the NTCA. The number has grown from 9 reserves at the launch of Project Tiger in 1973 to 58 today. The 58th TR is Madhav (MP, March 2025). Other recent additions include Dholpur-Karauli (Rajasthan, 2024 — 55th), Ratapani (MP, Dec 2024 — 57th), Mhadei (Goa’s first TR, 2023), and Veerangana Durgavati (MP, 2023).
The Sundarbans Tiger Reserve is unique because it is the only tiger reserve in India (and the world) where tigers live in a mangrove ecosystem and swim across tidal channels — hence “swimming tigers.” It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The black (melanistic) tigers are found in Simlipal (Odisha), not Sundarbans. India’s first tiger reserve is Jim Corbett, not Sundarbans.
Mhadei Tiger Reserve (~208 sq. km), in Goa along the Mhadei River, was notified in 2023 — becoming Goa’s first tiger reserve. The Mhadei River is contested between Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra over water sharing. The reserve protects a vital Western Ghats wildlife corridor linking Karnataka and Goa.
✅ Key Takeaways
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
India has 58 Tiger Reserves as of 2025, spread across 18 states. The number has grown from 9 reserves in 1973 to 58 today. Recent additions include Mhadei in Goa (2023 — Goa’s first TR), Veerangana Durgavati in MP (2023), Dholpur-Karauli in Rajasthan (2024 — 55th TR), Ratapani in MP (December 2024 — 57th TR), and Madhav in MP (March 2025 — 58th TR). India’s tiger reserves are managed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Project Tiger is India’s most successful wildlife conservation programme, launched on 1 April 1973 at Jim Corbett National Park by PM Indira Gandhi. At launch, India had only ~1,800 tigers. By the 2022 All India Tiger Estimation, India’s tiger population grew to 3,682 (average estimate; minimum 3,167) — India’s highest ever and approximately 70–75% of the world’s remaining wild tigers. India exceeded the global Tx2 target (doubling tiger populations by 2022) set at the 2010 St. Petersburg Tiger Summit.
Madhya Pradesh now has the most tiger reserves with 9 — Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Pench, Satpura, Bori-Satpura, Veerangana Durgavati, Ratapani, and Madhav. Maharashtra has 6 TRs. Madhya Pradesh also has the most tigers by population (~785 as per 2022 Census) and is called the “Tiger State.” Karnataka comes second in tiger population (~563). The first tiger reserve was Jim Corbett (Uttarakhand, 1973). The most recently notified TR is Madhav (MP, March 2025 — India’s 58th).
Tiger reserves are tested in UPSC Prelims (Environment & Ecology, Current Affairs), SSC CGL, Banking General Awareness, and State PSC papers. Key tested facts: total count (58 TRs as of 2025), Project Tiger’s launch (1 April 1973, Jim Corbett, PM Indira Gandhi), most TRs by state (Madhya Pradesh — 9), most tiger population state (Madhya Pradesh, 2022), India’s total tigers (3,682 average estimate in 2022), three UNESCO WHS tiger reserves (Kaziranga, Manas, Sundarbans), unique reserves (Sundarbans for swimming tigers, Bandhavgarh for highest density, Namdapha for 4 big cats, Panna for reintroduction, BRT as first Community Reserve TR), and recent additions (Madhav — 58th TR, March 2025; Ratapani — 57th TR, Dec 2024; Mhadei as Goa’s first TR, 2023).
