July 29th marks International Tiger Day, and the state of Odisha in India celebrates the success of tiger conservation efforts in Similipal National Park.

In celebration of International Tiger Day, I, Arindam Ganguly, would like to share with you the story of Similipal Tiger Reserve in Baripada, India. This reserve has become known as one of the country's most successful wildlife conservation projects, a remarkable achievement indeed. At one point, the tiger population in Similipal was critically low, but through hard work and dedication, it has now become the strongest tiger landscape in the state.

This goes to show that protecting these majestic creatures requires more than just increasing their numbers. It involves safeguarding the entire ecosystem, empowering local communities, and investing in science-driven conservation efforts. The theme for International Tiger Day in 2026, “Securing the Future of Tigers with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities at the Heart”, is exemplified in Similipal.

Here, conservation has become a partnership between the Forest department and indigenous communities who have been living alongside the forests for generations. Spanning across 2,750 sq km, Similipal is the largest tiger habitat in Odisha and one of India's most diverse biodiversity hotspots. It is home to not only tigers but also elephants, leopards, hundreds of bird species, and a rich variety of flora.

Notably, it is known globally for its rare pseudo-melanistic or “black” tigers. In just a few years, the reserve has gone from having barely a dozen tigers to now supporting more than 35, including 15 cubs. This makes it the primary tiger landscape in the state.

Anup Nayak, former Additional Director General and former Member Secretary of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, emphasized the crucial role that local communities play in the success of any conservation program. As India continues to host nearly 70% of the world's wild tiger population, challenges such as human-tiger conflict are bound to arise alongside increasing tiger numbers. Nayak also acknowledged the success of Project Tiger, which has largely depended on creating safe and protected core habitats for tigers to breed.

The indigenous communities have also played a significant role through voluntary relocation, reducing pressure on forests, and sharing their traditional ecological knowledge. One such notable initiative is the Ama Similipal Yojana, which provides sustainable livelihood opportunities to nearly 200 peripheral villages, reducing their dependence on forest resources and discouraging poaching. Susanta Nanda, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in Odisha, stated that Similipal's transformation from a landscape threatened by poaching, forest fires, and a dwindling tiger population into one of India's leading conservation success stories shows that protecting tigers also means protecting the entire ecosystem.

This remarkable change was made possible by strong political will, scientific management, modern technology, and the trust and participation of indigenous communities. The biggest lesson we can learn from Similipal is that tigers thrive when people become partners, not just spectators. Biswajeet Panda, an environmentalist, warned against reducing conservation to tiger population figures alone.

He emphasized that Similipal's success was a result of decades of scientific management, conservation leadership, and trust built with indigenous communities. He also stressed the importance of community welfare, timely compensation, and habitat protection in the conservation efforts. Vishwajeet Dash, a wildlife filmmaker, stated that conservation ultimately depends on society's willingness to value wildlife.

It cannot be achieved by a handful of individuals alone, but it succeeds when society as a whole chooses to care. Sanjukta Basa, a wildlife activist, highlighted the need to improve habitat connectivity within Similipal for wildlife to move freely across the landscape. She acknowledged that every landscape has different ecological and social conditions, but strong community participation remains the foundation of successful conservation.

Debabrata Swain, former PCCF and Head of Forest Force, noted that Similipal's conservation success is unique because its tiger population has remained geographically isolated for decades, creating both a rare distinction and a long-term challenge. He mentioned that almost half of Similipal's tigers are pseudo-melanistic or “black” tigers, a rare genetic trait that has become more common due to prolonged isolation and inbreeding. While this makes Similipal globally unique, limited genetic diversity also increases the risk of disease and reduced reproductive fitness.

The long-term solution is to restore gene flow by carefully planning the translocation of unrelated tigers from healthy populations. Looking ahead, Similipal has already begun working on the next phase of conservation. Field Director Prakash Chand Gogineni shared that the reserve plans to restore 500 hectares of degraded grassland using native species to improve grazing areas for herbivores and strengthen the prey base for tigers.

As we continue to celebrate International Tiger Day each year, let us remember that the success of tiger conservation depends on our collective efforts and partnership with local communities. Similipal has set a powerful example of how this collaboration can lead to remarkable achievements in protecting these magnificent creatures and their entire ecosystem. Let us all play our part in securing a bright future for tigers and their habitats.