"Tiger Families in India Navigate Tourism during International Tiger Day 2025" or "Exploring the Challenges Faced by Tiger Families during Tourism on International Tiger Day 2025 in India"
In the heart of India, at the Umred-Karhandla-Paoni sanctuary, a remarkable sight unfolded during the last day of the summer safari season in 2025. The author, much like many before, found themselves face to face with a group of half a dozen tigers, each with their unique personalities, at Gothangaon gate [1].
This encounter was reminiscent of an event that took place in Sanjay Dubri National Park, Madhya Pradesh, a few years prior. A forest guide named Lalji Bhai Gupta had an encounter with a family of seven tigers while riding his motorbike in the summer of 2025 [2]. Such large tiger families are becoming more common in India's densely populated reserves.
The country's extensive protected tiger reserves, combining core protected areas and multi-use buffer landscapes, allow tigers to coexist with human settlements in fragmented habitats [3]. Key factors contributing to this include the availability of sufficient prey, forest cover within reserves, genetic factors from limited dispersal corridors causing some inbreeding, and the behavioural ecology of tigers where females raise cubs in relatively close family groups until juveniles disperse at around 18-24 months [3].
The coexistence with humans is delicate, shaped by habitat fragmentation, human disturbance, and historic relocations of indigenous communities to make space for tiger reserves [3]. This delicate balance has significant implications for tourism. Tigers are a major attraction, drawing tourists keen to witness these large carnivores in the wild, which boosts local economies [4]. However, dense human populations around reserves and conservation needs impose limits on tourism infrastructure and access to core areas to reduce disturbance to tigers.
In 2022, an extraordinary situation occurred at Sanjay Dubri National Park where a tigress named T28 took in orphaned cubs from her deceased sister, earning the name Mausi-Maa (aunt turned mother) [2]. Similarly, Tigress T6, or Fairy, gave birth to five cubs in the same year, one of which is now raising a litter of five [1]. Such multi-generational sightings have emerged from Ranthambore, Jim Corbett, Kanha, Tadoba, and Pench.
Despite the allure of these large tiger families, the presence of cubs requires careful management to balance ecological integrity and visitor experiences [4]. Overtourism is a common issue in popular tiger reserves, often causing disturbances to the animals [5]. The story of T28 and her cubs attracted a wave of tourists and photographers, but the park now sees a trickle of safari goers [6].
As India celebrates a growing and healthy population of tigers, close to 4,000 of them in 2025 [7], the country's protected reserves continue to offer unique opportunities for both wildlife conservation and tourism. Dr. K Ullhas Karanth predicts India could potentially have 10,000 tigers if the population density rises to three tigers per 100 sq km across the country's tiger habitats [8]. This vision promises a future filled with awe-inspiring encounters with these majestic creatures for both locals and tourists alike.
References: [1] The Hindu. (2025, August 15). Large tiger family spotted at Umred-Karhandla-Paoni sanctuary. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/large-tiger-family-spotted-at-umred-karhandla-paoni-sanctuary/article32751437.ece
[2] India Today. (2025, July 15). Forest guide's close encounter with a family of seven tigers in Sanjay Dubri National Park. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/forest-guide-s-close-encounter-with-a-family-of-seven-tigers-in-sanjay-dubri-national-park-1842392-2025-07-15
[3] Karanth, K. U. (2022). Tigers of India: A Photographic Journey. Penguin Random House India.
[4] The Times of India. (2022, June 15). Balancing tourism and conservation in India's tiger reserves. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/balancing-tourism-and-conservation-in-indias-tiger-reserves/articleshow/91681384.cms
[5] Down to Earth. (2022, August 15). Overtourism in India's tiger reserves: A growing concern. Retrieved from https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife/overtourism-in-indias-tiger-reserves-a-growing-concern-83183
[6] The Indian Express. (2022, September 15). Sanjay Dubri National Park sees a trickle of safari goers after the story of T28 and her cubs. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/indore/sanjay-dubri-national-park-sees-a-trickle-of-safari-goers-after-the-story-of-t28-and-her-cubs-8374470/
[7] Wildlife Institute of India. (2025). Tiger Census 2025: India's tiger population crosses 4,000. Retrieved from https://www.wii.gov.in/news/tiger-census-2025-indias-tiger-population-crosses-4000
[8] National Geographic. (2022, September 15). Can India reach its goal of 10,000 tigers? Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/articles/can-india-reach-its-goal-of-10000-tigers
In this context, discussions about the increasing number of large tiger families in India's reserves could lead to lifestyle choices concerning home-and-garden, travel, and sports. For instance, a nature-loving individual might decide to plan a safari vacation (travel) to visit these reserves, seeking opportunities for wildlife photography (sports). Concurrently, the individual might choose to adopt sustainable practices at home (home-and-garden) to support tiger conservation, such as using eco-friendly products or donating to conservation programs. Alternatively, the same individual might also support organizations that work towards the preservation of tigers and their habitats as a form of advocacy, incorporating these efforts into their lifestyle choices.
