India, home to over 70% of the world’s wild tiger population, has long been a beacon of hope for tiger conservation. With an estimated 3,682 tigers as per the 2022 All India Tiger Estimation, the country has made significant strides in increasing its tiger numbers, growing at a rate of 6% annually. However, this success is overshadowed by a persistent and troubling issue: tiger mortality, particularly due to unnatural causes such as poaching, electrocution, and human-wildlife conflict. In 2024 alone, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) reported 115 tiger deaths, a 37% decline from 182 in 2023, with poaching cases dropping significantly from 17 to just four. Despite this improvement, the data reveals a complex challenge, with unnatural causes continuing to threaten the survival of this majestic species. The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) reported a higher figure of 119 deaths in 2024, including 19 cases linked to poaching and seizures, highlighting discrepancies in data collection and the need for more robust reporting mechanisms. This feature delves into the causes of tiger deaths, the role of unnatural factors like poaching, and the urgent steps the government must take to safeguard India’s tigers.
The decline in tiger deaths in 2024 is a positive development, but the persistence of unnatural causes remains a cause for concern. According to NTCA data from 2012 to 2024, 383 tiger deaths were attributed to unnatural causes, with poaching accounting for 207 (54%) and seizures of tiger parts, indicating illegal trade, contributing 101 (26%). Other unnatural causes, such as electrocution, road accidents, and poisoning, have also risen in recent years. For instance, a 2019 study by the Wildlife Institute of India noted that 31.5% of 656 tiger deaths between 2012 and 2018 were due to poaching and electrocution, with Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra reporting the highest numbers. In 2024, Madhya Pradesh recorded 46 tiger deaths, slightly up from 43 in 2023, while Maharashtra saw a 50% reduction, from 46 to 23. These states, with their significant tiger populations, face intense pressure from habitat fragmentation and human encroachment, which exacerbate human-wildlife conflicts.
Poaching remains a critical threat, driven by the illegal trade in tiger parts, particularly for traditional Chinese medicine. Although poaching incidents have decreased, the demand for tiger bones, skins, and claws in international markets, particularly in China, continues to fuel this illicit trade. A 2019 report by The Hindu noted 22 poaching cases, with 70% occurring outside tiger reserves, where tigers are more vulnerable due to lack of surveillance. The NTCA’s stringent policy of initially classifying all tiger deaths as poaching until proven otherwise has helped improve accountability, but gaps in investigation persist. A 2024 Special Investigation Team (SIT) report on 43 tiger deaths in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and Shahdol Forest Circle between 2021 and 2023 flagged insufficient investigations, lapses in postmortems, and a lack of arrests in poaching cases. In one instance, a tigress’s death by electrocution was misclassified, and missing body parts were not adequately investigated, underscoring systemic failures.
Electrocution, often caused by snares or electric fences set up by farmers to protect crops, is another growing concern. The SIT report highlighted cases where tigers were killed by electrocution, yet scientific evidence was not collected properly, hindering prosecution. Human-wildlife conflict, particularly in areas outside tiger reserves, contributes significantly to these deaths. As tiger populations grow, surplus tigers are pushed into human-dominated landscapes, leading to conflicts. A 2024 parliamentary report noted that 621 people were killed in tiger attacks between 2014 and 2024, with Maharashtra reporting a sharp rise from two cases in 2018 to 85 in 2022. This escalating conflict not only endangers human lives but also prompts retaliatory killings of tigers, further compounding the problem.
The government’s response to these challenges has been mixed. The NTCA, under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, mandates rigorous investigation of tiger deaths, requiring states to submit forensic reports, postmortems, and other evidence to classify deaths as natural or unnatural. However, states have been slow to comply, with only 71% of cases closed after scrutiny, leaving 29% pending. Initiatives like the M-STrIPES app for real-time monitoring and the deployment of AI-based camera systems, such as TrailGuard AI in Madhya Pradesh, have shown promise in reducing poaching and monitoring tiger movements. Compensation schemes for human losses due to tiger attacks—up to Rs. 5 lakh for death or permanent incapacitation—aim to reduce retaliatory actions, but their effectiveness is limited by delays and inadequate outreach.
To address the crisis of tiger deaths, the government must adopt a multi-pronged approach. First, strengthening anti-poaching measures is critical. This includes establishing robust intelligence networks with law enforcement to dismantle poaching syndicates, particularly those involving notorious tribes like the Bahelia and Pardhi. Rehabilitation programs, as seen in Periyar Tiger Reserve, can offer alternative livelihoods to these communities, reducing their reliance on poaching. Second, addressing human-wildlife conflict requires proactive measures, such as securing wildlife corridors, installing predator-proof fencing, and promoting community-based conservation models. Rapid disbursement of compensation and awareness campaigns can further mitigate conflicts. Third, improving investigation protocols is essential. The government should enforce stricter compliance with NTCA guidelines, ensuring timely forensic reporting and chain-of-custody documentation to strengthen legal cases against poachers. Fourth, expanding and better managing tiger reserves is vital. With 40% of tigers living outside protected areas, declaring more regions as tiger reserves and enhancing habitat protection can reduce vulnerability. Finally, international cooperation is needed to curb the demand for tiger parts in countries like China, through diplomatic efforts and stricter border controls.
India’s tigers are a national treasure, and their conservation is a testament to the country’s commitment to biodiversity. However, the persistent threat of unnatural deaths, particularly from poaching and human-wildlife conflict, demands urgent action. By bolstering anti-poaching efforts, improving habitat management, and fostering community cooperation, the government can ensure that the roar of the tiger continues to echo through India’s forests for generations to come.
By Viral Desai
(The author is a known Environmentalist and the pioneer of Satyagraha Against Pollution movement, viraludayindia@gmail.com )
(The content of this article reflects the views of writers and contributors, not necessarily those of the publisher and editor. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only)
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