India lost nearly 166 tigers in 2025, majority deaths outside protected areas says NTCA report
Hubballi: India lost nearly 166 tigers in 2025, the second-highest toll recorded in the past five years, with around 60% of the deaths occurring outside protected areas, according to data compiled by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Madhya Pradesh, which has the country’s highest tiger population at 785, reported the maximum number of deaths at 55. It was followed by Maharashtra with 38 deaths, Karnataka 15, Kerala 13 and Assam 12. As per the 2022 All-India Tiger Estimation, Karnataka had 563 tigers, Uttarakhand 560 and Maharashtra 444.
Officials and experts attribute the rising number of deaths to shrinking habitats and an expanding tiger population, which has led to several reserves reaching saturation levels. NTCA data indicates that nearly 70% of the deaths were due to natural causes, primarily territorial fights among tigers.
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Deccan Herald reported that wildlife experts have also raised concerns over the increasing use of electric fencing across the country, which has resulted in fatalities not only among tigers but also elephants, leopards and other wildlife. However, they point out that tiger mortality of less than 5% of the overall population is not considered alarming, especially given India’s high tiger numbers.
Qamar Qureshi, former nodal officer with the Wildlife Institute of India-NTCA Tiger Cell, said the mortality figures do not indicate a crisis. “Due to lack of space, many tigers are dispersing outside protected areas, which lead to accidental deaths of both humans and tigers. However, the numbers are not alarming. India has an excellent reporting mechanism, which ensures that every death is recorded. Unnatural tiger deaths have come down drastically,” he said.
In a significant shift, the NTCA has begun recording tiger cub deaths as well. While such deaths were earlier excluded due to high natural mortality rates among cubs, the authority reported 31 cub deaths in 2025.
India was home to at least 3,682 tigers as per the 2022 census and the country recorded its highest tiger mortality in 2023 with 182 deaths, followed by 166 in 2025, about 40 more than the previous year.
Karnataka reported three incidents of unnatural tiger deaths in 2025, resulting in the loss of three adult tigers and four cubs. Eight other tigers died due to natural causes. Officials clarified that this figure does not include five cubs that died after being shifted to a rehabilitation centre following rescue operations.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) P C Ray said perceptions around tiger deaths often ignore population dynamics. “Counting cub deaths along with adult tiger mortality does not give a correct picture. The birth and survival rates in Karnataka are much higher than the mortality rate. Most female tigers are giving birth to three to five cubs a season due to better protection and food availability. Even with a 50% survival rate, the tiger population in the state remains substantial,” he said.
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Ajit Pawar's funeral on Thursday; Modi, Shah likely to attend
Baramati (PTI): The last rites of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, killed in a plane crash, will be held with full state honours on Thursday in Baramati, Pune district.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to attend the funeral, which will be held at Vidya Pratishthan ground at 11 AM. Leaders cutting across the political spectrum will be present, the Nationalist Congress Party said.
The plane crash occurred in the morning shortly after Ajit Pawar and four other persons took off from Mumbai.
Besides Pawar, his Personal Security Officer, an attendant, and two crew members (pilot in command and the first officer) were also killed.
Pawar is survived by wife Sunetra, a member of the Rajya Sabha, and two sons, Parth and Jay.
The state government declared a public holiday on Wednesday and announced a three-day period of state mourning.
