Tigers in the Neighbourhood

How India Makes Room for Both Tigers and People

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In India, tigers haven't just survived they're making a comeback. Despite a growing population and increasing pressure on their habitats, the number of wild tigers is rising. The reason? According to a new study, it's a combination of ecological restoration, economic initiatives, and political stability. And just as important: a deeply rooted reverence for tigers that has fostered a culture where humans and predators can coexist.

In India, tigers haven't just survived—they've made a comeback. Despite a growing population and increasing pressure on their habitats, the number of wild tigers is rising. The reason? A combination of ecological restoration, economic initiatives, and political stability. And just as important: a deeply rooted reverence for tigers that has fostered a culture where humans and predators can coexist.

How do you protect an endangered species when that species is a tiger—a predator that also poses a threat to humans? India has found a way by combining protected reserves with areas where tigers and people share space, the result? A 30 per cent increase in the tiger population over the past two decades.

According to a new study published in Science, India is now home to approximately 3700 tigers, accounting for 75 per cent of the world's wild tiger population. This demonstrates that even in the world's most populous country, it is possible to protect large carnivores.

A Plan B for Tigers