Project Tiger

By YESPYQ · Updated July 2026 · 5 min read
Quick answer

Project Tiger is India's flagship conservation programme launched in 1973 to protect the Bengal tiger and its habitat.

Project Tiger is India's flagship conservation programme launched in 1973 to protect the Bengal tiger and its habitat.

Launch and aim

Started in 1973 from Jim Corbett, Project Tiger aims to maintain a viable tiger population and preserve areas of biological importance as a natural heritage.

Governance

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body, oversees Project Tiger and tiger reserves. Reserves have a core (critical tiger habitat) and buffer zone.

Outcomes

Periodic tiger estimation exercises track population trends, and India hosts a large share of the world's wild tigers.

Why it matters for UPSC

Project Tiger's launch year, the NTCA and tiger-reserve structure are standard Environment Prelims content.

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Frequently asked questions

When was Project Tiger launched?

Project Tiger was launched in 1973.

Which body oversees Project Tiger?

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body.