International Tiger Day 2026: Rajasthan's tiger population rises to 149, Ranthambore houses nearly 50 pc of them

Rajasthans tiger population has increased to 149 across its five tiger reserves with Ranthambore housing 72 of them officials said on the eve of International Tiger DayThe combined population of tigers tigresses and cubs in the Ranthambore Sariska DholpurKarauli Mukundara Hills and Ramgarh Vishdhari tiger reserves has risen to 149 this year from 135 last yearChief Wildlife Warden KC Arun Prasad told PTI that 54 tigresses gave birth to 53 cubs across the states five tiger reserves this year compared with 52 tigresses producing 43 cubs in 2025Sariska Tiger Reserve recorded the highest number of births with 28 cubsPrasad said Ranthambore Tiger Reserve continues to have the states largest tiger population with 72 tigers tigresses and cubs up from 66 last year Sariskas population has also increased to 56 from 50 during the same periodWildlife experts said the rising tiger population indicates that Rajasthans forests are becoming healthierAs apex predators tigers play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and their presence is widely regarded as a sign of a thriving forest ecosystemExperts noted that about two decades ago Rajasthans tiger population had declined to just 1820 animals placing the species at serious risk in the stateToday Rajasthan has emerged as one of Indias leading tiger landscapes an expert saidOf the states total tiger population of 149 around 96 are adult tigers and tigresses while the remainder are cubs Ranthambore alone is home to around 50 adults and 22 cubsForest Department officials said Ranthambore is among Indias most successful tiger reserves in terms of breeding and cub survival It is also one of the countrys most popular wildlife tourism destinations because tiger sightings are comparatively easier in its dry deciduous forests than in denser forest landscapesThey said that tigers are currently using only about 700 square kilometres of the nearly 1500squarekilometre Ranthambore Tiger ReserveRanthambore Deputy Conservator of Forests Manas Singh said the reserves greatest strength is its abundant prey base Large populations of sambar chital and other herbivores along with welldeveloped grasslands provide ideal conditions for sustaining a healthy tiger populationAccording to wildlife experts Ranthambores tiger survival rate is around 80 per cent among the highest recorded for major tiger reserves in the countryExperts also highlighted the legacy of the legendary tigress Machli T16 regarded as one of Ranthambores most iconic tigers During her lifetime she gave birth to 18 cubs many of whose descendants were later used to repopulate reserves including Sariska Mukundara and Ramgarh VishdhariWhen Sariska lost all its tigers in 2008 the reserve was repopulated using descendants of Machli from Ranthambore In recognition of her contribution to tiger conservation the Government of India issued a commemorative postage stamp in her honour in 2013A memorial dedicated to her has also been built at Jogi Mahal in Ranthambore while the Forest Department has instituted the Machli Award in her memoryThe growing tiger population has however created new management challenges Experts said Ranthambores carrying capacity is estimated at around 40 to 50 tigers while the reserve now supports 72Wildlife expert Dharmendra Khandal said that dispersing tigers from Ranthambore frequently move towards Mukundara Hills Ramgarh Vishdhari and even forests in neighbouring Madhya PradeshKhandal said that planned rehabilitation along with improved habitat management is essential to provide adequate space for the expanding tiger populationHe said that efforts should also be accelerated to develop the Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary into a fully functional tiger habitat alongside RanthamboreThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever