Karnataka, a vital hub for tiger conservation in India, has experienced a slight reduction in its tiger population, as revealed by the Phase IV tiger-monitoring survey conducted in 2024. The state forest department attributes the change to factors like tiger dispersal, which is believed to have a significant impact on the numbers.
The survey, covering five of Karnataka’s major tiger reserves—Bandipur, Nagarahole, BRT Tiger Reserve, Kali Tiger Reserve, and Bhadra Tiger Reserve—reported an estimated tiger population of 393 in 2024, a decrease from 408 in 2023. This marks a decline of 15 tigers. Additionally, the number of unique tigers identified also dropped, from 384 in 2023 to 373 in 2024.
Despite the minor decline, Karnataka remains one of the key states in India dedicated to the protection and conservation of tigers.