Bengaluru, Oct 9: Karnataka, already proud to be one of the states with the highest tiger populations in the country, has seen a further increase in the number of tigers.
A preliminary report from the Forest Department indicates that the tiger population in the state’s forests has now risen to approximately 700. The 2022 tiger census had recorded 563 tigers in the state.
“According to our assessment, there are around 700 tigers in the state. The tiger population is increasing not only in tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries but also in territorial forest divisions and areas outside the forests,” stated Kumar Pushkar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife).
While the rising tiger population is an indicator of successful conservation efforts, it is also accompanied by an increase in human-wildlife conflict. Therefore, there is a need to formulate stringent measures to prevent such conflicts, he added.
He spoke on the topic “Karnataka’s Conservation Legacy: Protected Areas, Wildlife Landscapes, and the Next Decade” at a one-day conference held in Bengaluru as part of the 72nd Wildlife Week, which began on October 2.
The tiger population is increasing across the country. Forest officials have stated that, alongside Karnataka, a significant increase in the tiger population is expected in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand as well.
According to the 2022 tiger census report by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Karnataka ranked second in the country, trailing only Madhya Pradesh. The tiger census process began in November 2025 and concluded in May 2026. The data has been collected and submitted to the Ministry for final verification and the release of the report.
Pushkar noted that while the tiger population in the state is stabilizing, proactive measures are required to manage wildlife—including tigers—and to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
Human-wildlife conflict in 2025–26:
Human fatalities: 51
Human injuries: 368
Livestock loss: 6,351
Crop loss cases: 41,755
Karnataka’s ranking in the country:
Elephants: 6,395 — First place
Tigers: 563 — Second place
Leopards: 1,879 — Third place