Madhya Pradesh (UNA) :

In 2025, Madhya Pradesh recorded 55 tiger deaths, marking the highest annual toll since Project Tiger was launched in 1973. This sharp rise has raised concern among conservationists and forest officials across the state.

Officials say about 11 of those deaths were linked to unnatural causes, including electrocution from illegal electric fences set up by villagers to protect crops. These fences, often without safety cutoffs, can deliver fatal shocks to tigers and other wildlife moving through agricultural areas.

The rest of the fatalities were mostly due to natural factors such as old age, territorial fights between tigers, and disease outcomes that can become more common as tiger numbers increase. Experts note that even natural deaths can rise when big cats spread beyond core reserve areas.

For local communities and wildlife lovers, this trend highlights the delicate balance between human activity and tiger conservation. Madhya Pradesh has the largest tiger population in India, making the state’s conservation efforts crucial not just for the animals, but also for tourism, local livelihoods, and safety. Forest authorities are now pushing stronger protection measures, better patrols, and community awareness programmes to reduce unnatural deaths and protect this iconic species.