To address rising human-tiger conflicts outside protected zones, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is set to launch the Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) project across 80 forest divisions in 17 states. Nearly 30% of India’s estimated 3,682 tigers are found outside notified tiger reserves, increasing the chances of encounters with humans and livestock.
Drafted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the project aims to tackle habitat fragmentation, corridor disruption, and the spillover of tigers and co-predators into human-dominated areas. The pilot phase will cover states such as Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Kerala, Uttarakhand, and more.
Strategies include monitoring tiger movement using camera traps and AI-powered early warning systems, hiring local youth for patrolling and data collection, and forming rapid response teams to mitigate conflicts. Equipment like rescue vehicles, cages, and tranquilizers will also be provided.
TOTR will also focus on habitat improvement, awareness programs, volunteer networks, and student jungle camps. The initiative will run from 2025–26 to 2027–28 with an estimated budget of ₹88.7 crore, coordinated by NTCA at the central level and implemented through state wildlife departments.
The goal is to ensure coexistence by reducing conflict and promoting conservation support among local communities.
