Tigers in the neighborhood: How India makes room for both tigers and people

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% increase in the tiger population over the past two decades. According to a new study published in Science, India is now home to approximately 3,700 tigers, accounting for 75% 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

India's tiger conservation strategy combines two approaches: some areas are strictly protected reserves, while others are multi-use landscapes where tigers and people share space. And this isn't just for the benefit of the tigers.