Why in News? 

PM Narendra Modi hailed the addition of Madhav Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh as India’s 58th Tiger Reserve. 

• Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced that India has officially added its 58th Tiger Reserve, Madhav Tiger Reserve, making it Madhya Pradesh's ninth Tiger Reserve. 

What is a Tiger Reserve? 

• A tiger reserve is a protected area under Project Tiger, aimed at conserving tigers and their habitats. 
• Reserves include 
  • Core zone – Strictly protected as a national park or wildlife sanctuary. 
  • Buffer zone – A mix of forested and non-forested land, allowing limited human activities. 
• India currently has 57 tiger reserves, covering 82,000 sq. km (about 2.3% of India's geographical area), as per the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). 

Tiger Conservation  

• IUCN Status: Endangered; protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. 
• India collaborates with Bangladesh and other neighboring countries for transboundary conservation, especially in the Sundarbans. 
• International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA), launched by PM Modi in 2023, promotes conservation of seven big cats – Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Puma, and Jaguar. 

Project Tiger 

• It launched on April 1, 1973, and is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) aimed at tiger conservation. 
• At Independence, India had 40,000 tigers, but widespread hunting and poaching reduced the number to below 2,000 by 1970. 
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, introduced by PM Indira Gandhi, laid the foundation for tiger conservation efforts. 
• Initially launched in nine reserves, including Jim Corbett National Park, covering 14,000 sq. km. 
• Project Tiger also focuses on habitat conservation, as tigers are apex predators essential for ecosystem balance.