Stories
World Tourism Day: India's Conservation Success Stories, From Tigers to Turtles
- •India's wildlife destinations offer more than just sightings; they tell stories of species brought back from the brink and communities protecting nature.
- •In Spiti, snow leopard conservation focuses on community involvement, with initiatives like predator-proof corrals and tourism-funded conservation.
- •Panna Tiger Reserve recovered from local extinction in 2009 to a population of 59 tigers by 2021, showcasing successful reintroduction efforts.
- •Odisha's coast hosts a massive annual nesting event for Olive Ridley turtles, with over 1.3 million recorded in 2025, supported by strict protection measures.
- •The Asiatic lion population in Gir has expanded beyond its traditional habitat, with 891 lions recorded across 11 districts of Gujarat in 2025.
- •Eravikulam National Park in Kerala is dedicated to protecting the Nilgiri tahr, home to the largest contiguous population of this mountain goat.
- •Kaziranga's rhino conservation extends beyond the park, with translocations creating multiple viable populations to safeguard the species.
- •The Critically Endangered gharial finds a crucial stronghold in the Chambal River, protected by the National Chambal Sanctuary since 1978.
Key Questions Answered
Panna Tiger Reserve recovered its tiger population after local extinction around 2009 through the translocation of two tigresses from Kanha and Bandhavgarh in March 2009, followed by additional translocations. From the initial reintroduced animals, the population grew to 59 tigers by 2021, with researchers documenting 120 cubs from 45 litters between 2010 and 2021.
Odisha implemented a 20-kilometre no-fishing zone at Gahirmatha, joint patrolling operations by the Forest Department, Coast Guard, and Marine Police, and established dozens of patrolling camps to protect the nesting turtles. Additionally, the state organized community-led beach clean-ups and other conservation efforts around nesting sites.
A 2025 synchronised population estimation conducted by the Kerala and Tamil Nadu Forest Departments estimated a total of 2,668 Nilgiri tahrs globally. Of that total, Kerala accounted for 1,365 animals, with Eravikulam National Park alone hosting 841 tahrs.
