Ramnagar: A special annual survey by the Uttarakhand forest department has revealed a sharp rise in tiger numbers in Ramnagar division, which borders Corbett Tiger Reserve. The population has increased from 67 in 2022 to 96 in July 2025.
Survey Method and Camera Trap Deployment
The Ramnagar forest division, with support from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), undertook the survey as part of phase 4 of the All India Tiger Estimate (AITE). This phase usually applies only to tiger reserves, but Ramnagar was included given its importance as a buffer zone.
According to the report, camera traps were placed at 181 locations across the division. These traps were installed in 2 square km cells, which are subsets of fixed 100 square km grids. At least one pair of cameras was deployed within each cell.
The survey collected 1,059 camera trap pictures for analysis. The images were examined using extract-compare software to identify individuals based on flank patterns and timestamps.
Identification and Tiger Count
The analysis confirmed 56 tigers through pictures showing both left and right flanks. An additional 40 tigers were identified through unique left flank captures. Eleven cubs under one year were not included in the final estimate due to high mortality rates.
The report clarified: “There were images with either the left or right flank picture missing. In order to not create a biased number, only tigers captured with both flanks and unique left flank individuals are considered.”
Population Growth and Territorial Behaviour
Officials stressed that the rise is not due to wandering tigers. Tigers are territorial, maintaining fixed ranges rather than covering large areas. While some animals share boundaries between Ramnagar and Corbett, the number is limited.
Even Corbett Tiger Reserve itself has reported growth, with its tiger population rising from 260 to around 290. Officials also linked the increase to higher prey density across the region.
Landscape Restoration Impact
The survey was designed to assess the results of Forest Landscape Restoration implemented in Ramnagar over the past three years. Since villagers in the division depend heavily on forest resources, officials see the rising tiger numbers as evidence of successful habitat restoration.
Uttarakhand Chief Wildlife Warden Ranjan Mishra said the findings form part of an early stage of tiger estimation. “We have yet to receive it, but the report is part of an annual survey of phase 4 of AITE,” he stated.
Human-Wildlife Conflict Concerns
Officials acknowledged that more tigers outside reserves pose higher risks of conflict. Between January 2022 and 2025, 13 people have been killed by tigers in Ramnagar division. Nationwide, 382 people died in tiger-related incidents between 2020 and 2024.
A study published in Science explained that between 2006 and 2018, tigers in India occupied 30% more area. They now share space with about 6 crore people across 45% of tiger-occupied habitats. Nearly 30% of the country’s 3,600 tigers live outside reserves, where they prey on livestock and displace co-predators like leopards.
Funding Gaps Beyond Reserves
Former Ramnagar DFO, Diganth Nayak, highlighted challenges in forest divisions outside reserves. Unlike Corbett, which is free from human habitation, divisions like Ramnagar face direct conflict and resource pressure.
“Divisions lack resources and face backlash after conflicts,” he said. He added that reserves receive strong funding through Project Tiger, tourism revenue, and Tiger Conservation Foundations. In contrast, neighbouring divisions with even higher tiger densities often lack comparable financial support.
Diverse Wildlife Captured
The survey also recorded other species. Herds of elephants, wild boars, and chitals were photographed, along with healthy leopard populations avoiding tiger-dominated zones.
Rare and elusive animals like the leopard cat, yellow-throated marten, jungle cats, sloth bear, and even the serow were also captured. Officials said this diversity reflects a balanced ecosystem in Ramnagar’s forests.
