With 148 Tigers, Kaziranga National Park Now Has World’s 3rd-Highest Tiger Density
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) in Assam has just roared its way into the global spotlight. With a new tiger population of 148, the UNESCO World Heritage Site now holds the world’s third-highest tiger density, marking a major win for tiger conservation in India.
According to the Status of Tigers in Kaziranga, 2024 report released on International Tiger Day (July 29, 2025), the reserve now boasts 18.65 tigers per 100 sq km—a jump that places it just behind Bandipur Tiger Reserve (19.83) and Corbett National Park (19.56). The addition of 27 new tigers to the population was largely attributed to sampling efforts in the Biswanath Wildlife Division, which had never been surveyed before.
“Assam is not just protecting tigers; it is reclaiming their kingdom,” said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in a celebratory post on X. “With the world’s third-highest tiger density, expanded reserves, and bold action against encroachment, the striped beasts of Assam continue to roam with power and pride.”
Tiger Numbers Tell A Powerful Story: How Kaziranga Added 27 Tigers
Of the 148 tigers documented, the breakdown includes 83 females, 55 males, and 10 with undetermined gender. The census covered an area of 1,307.49 sq km across three divisions between December 2023 and April 2024, using a robust grid-based monitoring system to ensure precise data.
One of the major factors contributing to this success has been habitat expansion. In recent years, 200 sq km of new land has been added to the reserve, including 12.82 sq km of previously encroached areas in the Burhachapori-Laokhowa sanctuaries. This has led to more space for tiger movement, increased breeding opportunities and better genetic dispersal among tiger populations.
Kaziranga also has 113 Van Durgas, its trained female forest protection force, along with frontline forest staff, local communities, and NGOs who have played a vital role in patrolling, protecting and reporting on the feline. Plus, the national park is also counting on technology to help take the cause forward. Right from camera traps to M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status), drones, and Electronic Eye infrared surveillance, officials are using new tech to protect wildlife and gather real-time data.
Kaziranga’s new milestone is important especially at a time when there is a renewed interest in tiger safaris, wildlife tourism in India, and sustainable travel experiences in India. Parks like Kaziranga are drawing not just conservationists but also travellers looking to witness these majestic big cats in their natural habitat.
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