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Protecting the tiger habitat

A stable tiger population in India in the past four decades sends out a clear signal that there is a need to establish “conservation zones” where all development activity is prohibited.

Munna, one of the most photographed tigers, in his habitat in Kanha.

Prolific breeders, chital are the commonest prey of tigers. The survival of the tiger is directly dependent on the ungulate population in a protected area.

Tigers are solitary animals and need an inviolate space throughout their lives.

In areas with high tiger density, tiger deaths owing to fierce infighting is common.

A herd of gaur at a pool in Kanha. The habitat improvement programme ensures that species with different food habits can coexist in a protected area.

Such a sight was unimaginable a few years ago when there was a village.

The barasingha (swamp deer) population in Kanha has not only increased, but the founders from Kanha have also established a geographically endemic population at the Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

Co-predators like leopards survive in tiger land because of niche partitioning of food habits.

An old village pond.

The landscape, after a village was relocated, has perfectly integrated into the wildlife habitat.

Male Asian paradise flycatcher.

Only in a protected area can steps be taken to conserve an endangered and endemic cervid such as the swamp deer.

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Munna, one of the most photographed tigers, in his habitat in Kanha.
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