India has the highest tiger population in the world with about 3000+ tigers in the wild spread across the country in over 52 tiger reserves. With the growing need and success rate to protect the wildlife of India, the government, wildlife protection organizations, and conservation groups are working on wildlife conservation projects like project-tiger, project-rhino, project-elephant, and others. To track the progress in conserving and protecting the tigers, the government conducts a tiger population census in the country every 4 years. The last census of 2018 showed a great increase in the tiger population within the national parks of the country. In this post, we will read more about the top 5 tiger reserves with the highest tiger population in India.
1. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
Tiger Population in Corbett: 252
Among the 52 tiger reserves in India, Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand has the highest tiger density and is one of the most popular parks for tiger safari in India. The Corbett Tiger Reserve has the highest number of tigers, with 252 living inside the reserve and 266 using it, according to data published by the Union Environment Department.
The first national park in India to be established under the Project Tiger program is Corbett Tiger Park. According to the most recent tiger counts, the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve is home to a healthy number of tigers, as well as other endangered plant species, and a wide range of wildlife, including crested serpent eagles, Himalayan black bears, and large Indian elephants.
More than 50 animal species, 580 bird species, and 25 reptile species have been identified in Corbett National Park. The Corbett Tiger Reserve has long been a popular destination and safe haven for tigers. A major factor in the expansion and maintenance of the tiger population is the abundance of prey.
They can feed and survive on four different species of deer, wild boar, and other smaller animals. In the park’s hilly regions, leopards are to be found. However, occasionally they are seen when they descend into lower forests.
In the Bijrani zone, one can see sloth bears. Higher steep sections of Kanda are where you can see Himalayan black bears (highest elevation point Corbett National Park). Some of the park’s smaller resident mammals include yellow-throated martens, Himalayan palm civets, Indian grey mongooses, common otters, and black-naped hares.
2. Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka
Tiger Population in Bandipur: 173
Bandipur is another wildlife reserve in India to embrace Project Tiger in 1974 is the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, which is renowned for its biodiversity. The park, which is a component of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, is well-known for having large populations of tigers, elephants, and sandalwood trees. Several endangered species of medium- to large-sized mammals as well as sensitive flora and fauna in India are helped by Bandipur Park. In some areas of Nagarhole and Bandipur, there is a sizable Black Panther population.
The Bandipur Tiger Reserve is a significant component of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which also includes the Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarahole) in Karnataka, the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, and the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala. Bandipur National Park spans an area of 872.24 square kilometers. It is split between the Chamarajanagar District’s Gundlupet Taluk and the Mysuru District’s H.D.Kote and Nanjangud Taluks.
Bandipur, located at the foothills of the Nilgiris and formerly the exclusive hunting grounds of the former Maharajas, has a long history of encounters with tigers. It is one of the last remaining safe havens for the critically endangered Asiatic wild elephant. Thirty reserves have been designated throughout the nation to protect the tiger and its habitat.
3. Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, Karnataka
Tiger Population in Nagarhole: 164
Third, in our list of the top 5 tiger reserves with the highest tiger population in India is the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve. With Indian bison and elephants as predators, the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, which is a component of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, has a good tiger-predator ratio. Ussuri Dhole, Slender Loris, European Otter, Pangolin, Chevrotain, Porcupine, Mongoose, and the extremely rare Black Panther are just a few of the remarkable animals that the park preserves.
Nagarahole, a significant Tiger Reserve in Karnataka, is a must-see national park for nature lovers and photographers since the forest safari greatly increases the likelihood of seeing Bengal Tigers and Asiatic Elephants in their natural environment. Wild Dogs, Leopards, and Bears can all be found in great numbers in Nagarhole National Park. Wild gaurs, wild boars, sambar deer, antelope, spotted deer, and other bird species are examples of herbivores that are frequently spotted. Also abundant in the Nagarahole National Park are Teak and Rosewood trees.
4. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu
Tiger Population in Mudumalai: 162
Mudumalai tiger reserve having a tiger population of 162 is fourth on our list of the top 5 tiger reserves with the highest tiger population in India. The Nilgiri district, on the boundary of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, is home to the Mudumalai National Park, one of the earliest forest ranges to be designated as a national park. The park is accessible from both Ooty and Mysore and is situated along the Ooty-Mysore route.
With Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, and the Wayand wildlife sanctuary to its north and south, respectively, Mudumalai National Park is one of the most important ecological systems in the nation. More than 500 animal species, including birds, reptiles, and even more bug species, are housed between them.
With a population of about 162 tigers, the national park is well known for having a large tiger population. It goes without saying that anyone who likes nature will find the location magnificent and appealing.
5. Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Tiger Population in Kaziranga: 135
The last on our list of the top 5 tiger reserves with the highest tiger population in India is Kaziranga National Park of Assam with a tiger population of 135. The Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, which was designated a Tiger Reserve in 2006, has the highest density of tigers of any protected location in India and the entire globe. The fourth tiger reserve in the state of Assam, Kaziranga National Park is an Indian World Heritage Site and is popular for tiger safaris in India. The largest protected tiger population in Assam is found in the Terai-Savana region of Kaziranga Park, which is also home to significant populations of elephants, wild water buffalo, and Indian rhinoceroses.
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Am very interested in seeing a tiger in the wild
Hi Larry,
I have replied to you on email, and I look forward to hearing from you.
How many tigers & leopardsare in pench?, how many in karmajhir & jamtara specifically?
I recently visited karmajhiri gate, the rangers there said there were ~65 tigers & leopards were not counted. I’m curious about jamtara, there are said to be sloth bears there we visited there once and we saw sloth bears scratching marks on a tree. How many bears and leopards along with tigers are in these gates?
Hi Rayhaan,
As of now the Forest Department have not disclosed the current number of Tigers in Pench. The estimated number of Tigers is 70 – 75 individual including cubs. There are no census for Leopards and Sloth Bear. The estimated number of Leopards is 80 to 90 individual.
Sloth Bear sightings are very rare in Pench the numbers are also few. The estimated number is less than 30 individual.
Karmajhiri, Jamtara and Touria are the gates, all the vehicle roam around the same zone. In tourism area there are 13 Tigers in total.