Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has claimed to have dense population of tiger and other cat species in Tiger Census 2022. Along with the same, forest team has also presented its long term plan to provide adequate space to wildlife. The State is recording dense population of tigers giving tough time to the management with insufficient space in tiger reserves. According to data report, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has more than 124 tigers while its capacity is only for 75 tigers. Same situation prevails in Kanha Tiger Reserve where 108 tigers are moving. Capacity of KTR is about 70 tigers. Pench Tiger Reserve has capacity of 50 tigers but the reserve is habitat of 82 tigers. There are 23 tigers in urban areas of Bhopal.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) says that a tiger forms territory in 40 to 60 sqkm of area. It has been found in study that tigers prefer to kill prey in their territory. But when it comes about food, water and mating, they travel several kilometres. When they enter into territory of other big cats, they fight. Study has proved that if population of tiger increases in a particular territory, it adversely impacts their behaviour. Six tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh are completely full with tiger population. After witnessing rise in population of tigers, MP Forest Department is facing challenge to provide sufficient space to big cats and avoid man-animal conflict along with territorial fight among cats. These six tiger reserves have 10,000 sqkm of area while 700 tigers require 35,000 sqkm of area to form independent territory.

Experts say that capacity of six tiger reserves is only 205 tigers but more than 700 tigers are residing in these reserves. This could be the reason of higher territorial fight and death of tigers in reserves. In past two years, 39 tigers have died in territorial fights. Experts said that all reserves of State have touched their maximum caring capacity. There is need to extend forest areas, develop new corridors and find out new place for tigers. PCCF J S Chauhan said, “Our team is working on long term plan to secure wildlife and human being with sufficient space for them. Development of new corridors, new wildlife sanctuaries and other possible efforts are being done.” He further informed that tigers are now being introduced in sanctuaries where there were no tigers. He said, under tiger management plan Department is translocating big cats from tiger reserves to sanctuaries.