Amrabad Tiger Reserves Rise in Tiger Population to 36.
The Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR) in Telangana has reported an encouraging increase in its tiger population, with the latest Phase IV monitoring report for 2024-25 confirming 36 tigers, up from 33 in the previous year. This growth highlights the positive impact of sustained conservation efforts by the Telangana Forest Department and reinforces the success of Project Tiger.
Key Details:
The tiger population at Amrabad Tiger Reserve has increased to 36 in 2024-25. This marks a rise from 33 tigers recorded in the previous year’s monitoring.
The latest count was conducted as part of the Phase IV Tiger Monitoring exercise for 2024-25.
The monitoring was carried out between December 20, 2024, and May 15, 2025.
It involved deploying 1,594 camera traps across 797 grid locations, each covering two square kilometers, within 10 forest ranges.
Data was collected using both camera trap images and indirect signs such as pugmarks, scats, and scrape marks, following National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) protocols.
Population Composition:
36 tigers, 13 are males, 20 are females, and two are cubs, with one individual unidentified (as per some reports).
Increase in Adult Tigers and Breeding Females:
The number of adult tigers rose from 26 to 34.
The number of breeding females increased significantly from 15 to 20, indicating a healthy reproductive rate and potential for further population growth.
While the count of cubs decreased from seven last years to two this year, officials attribute this to the natural reproductive cycle, as many of the previous year’s cubs have now matured into sub-adults.
Attribution of Success:
Forest officials largely attribute the positive trend to sustained conservation efforts under Project Tiger.
These efforts include enhanced habitat protection, effective anti-poaching strategies, and continuous ecological monitoring.
The collaboration between forest officials, local communities, and frontline staff has also been crucial to the program’s success.
The findings were announced by the Telangana Forest DepartmentAbout Amrabad
Tiger Reserve (ATR):
The Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR) is a significant wildlife conservation area located in the Nallamala forest range of Telangana.
India. It is the second-largest tiger reserve in terms of core area in the country and a critical part of the Project Tiger initiative.
ATR is situated on the northern part of the Nallamala hill range on the Eastern Ghats.
It spans across the Nagarkurnool and Nalgonda districts of Telangana.
The reserve’s core area is 2611.42 km² with an additional buffer area of 445.02 km².
The terrain is characterized by rugged hills, deep valleys, and is bordered by the Krishna River to an extent of 120 km.
Major reservoirs like the Srisailam Dam and Nagarjunasagar Dam are fed by the Krishna River and its perennial streams originating within the reserve.
The forest type is predominantly Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest with diverse microclimatic niches.
What is Tiger Census / Monitoring (Phase IV):
Methodology:Part of India’s National Tiger Estimation exercise, Phase IV involves intensive ground-based monitoring.
Tools Used: Utilizes camera traps, direct sightings, scat analysis, and pugmark tracking to identify individual tigers and assess population changes.
Frequency:Conducted annually in each tiger reserve
Importance: Ensures year-round population monitoring and habitat status assessment, forming a key input for conservation decisions.
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):
Established in 2006, under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended).
It has Statutory authority under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Roles:
Approves Tiger Reserve management plans.
Ensures compliance with scientific protocols like Phase IV monitoring.
Coordinates funding and oversight of Project Tiger.
Mandate:Strengthens tiger conservation through technical, administrative, and financial support.
Project Tiger
Launched 1973 by the Government of India, initially covering 9 tiger reserves.
Objective:
Ensure a viable population of Bengal tigers in the wild.
Protect ecologically significant landscapes as national heritage.
Achievements: Over the decades, expanded to 54 tiger reserves (as of 2024), contributing significantly to the doubling of India’s tiger population by 2018 (as per St. Petersburg Declaration targets).
Core-buffer strategy for habitat protection, relocation of villages, anti-poaching mechanisms, and community involvement