Why in News?
The Rajasthan Forest Department released the 2026 tiger census on July 28, showing the state's tiger population rose to 149 from 135 in 2025.
Key Points
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve has the largest population at 72 tigers (50 adults and 22 cubs).
Sariska Tiger Reserve increased to 56 tigers and recorded the highest births with 28 cubs.
Ranthambore's carrying capacity is 40–50 tigers, but it currently supports 72, leading to dispersal into Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary.
Other active reserves include Mukundara Hills, Ramgarh Vishdhari, and Dholpur-Karauli.
Exam Connect
Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve → Bundi district, Rajasthan → notified as India's 52nd Tiger Reserve in 2022 → corridor between Ranthambore and Mukundara Hills
Project Tiger → launched on April 1, 1973, from Jim Corbett National Park → administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)