By Muskan Bhatia
New Delhi, Feb 7 (UNI) Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Saturday stressed the need for a stronger response system to protect the country’s wildlife, pointing out that tigers often move beyond core areas.
Highlighting the importance of timely and professional intervention in cases involving injured animals, human–wildlife conflict, and orphaned tiger cubs, he called for a clear system for rescue, rehabilitation, and transit treatment centres around tiger reserves.
Yadav’s suggestions came during the inaugural address of a 2-day Conference of Chief Wildlife Wardens of Tiger Range States and Field Directors of Tiger Reserves held in Alwar, Rajasthan.
From the beginning of this year until February 2, a total of 21 tiger deaths were recorded, of which seven occurred outside reserve areas, according to data from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Long-term mortality data suggest a gradual shift in where tiger deaths are occurring. Between 2012 and 2025, a total of 1,581 tiger deaths were recorded nationwide. Of these, about 52.5 per cent occurred inside tiger reserves, while 47.5 per cent were reported outside reserve boundaries.
However, year-wise analysis over the past five years indicates a changing pattern, with more than half of all tiger deaths taking place outside reserves in several recent years. The proportion of deaths outside reserves peaked at around 55 per cent in 2023, according to government data.
Yadav also called for the formation of four working groups to review region-specific challenges, including changes in tiger population, and assess the implementation of centrally-sponsored schemes across the Tiger Reserves of the country.
The Minister also asked participants to discuss ways to enhance coordination between NTCA and institutions such as the Wildlife Institute of India, Botanical Survey of India, Zoological Survey of India, and Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education, to incorporate research inputs from these apex organisations and derive practical benefits in tiger conservation.
