Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve Reports Eight Deaths: Territorial Fights and Electrocution Identified as Causes
A detailed status report presented before the Madhya Pradesh High Court has shed light on the tragic deaths of eight tigers in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) between November 21, 2025, and February 2, 2026. The report, submitted by the BTR field director, categorizes the causes of death, revealing a mix of natural conflicts and human-induced hazards.
Breakdown of Tiger Deaths Inside and Outside the Reserve
According to the report, the eight fatalities can be divided into two groups: those that occurred within the reserve and those that happened when tigers strayed into territorial forests. Among the four deaths inside BTR, two were attributed to territorial fights between tigers, one resulted from drowning, and the remaining one was due to a disease. This highlights the intense competition for space and resources among the big cats in their natural habitat.
Electrocution Emerges as a Major Threat Outside the Reserve
More alarmingly, the report details that four tigers that ventured outside the reserve met their demise due to electrocution. Specifically, three of these tigers died after coming into contact with open live wires, while one perished after getting entangled in a solar-powered electric fence. The field director confirmed that the offenders responsible for these incidents have been identified and arrested, underscoring the ongoing human-wildlife conflict in the region.
Court Proceedings and Denial of Poaching Allegations
The status report was presented in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by petitioner Ajay Dubey, who raised concerns over a spurt in tiger deaths in Madhya Pradesh. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf had earlier sought this report after the eight deaths were reported within just over two months. The court has deferred the hearing until March 25, 2026, allowing the petitioner an opportunity to file a rejoinder.
In his petition, Dubey alleged that poachers were active inside the reserve, contributing to the rising death toll. However, the BTR field director's report has firmly denied these charges, stating that there is no evidence of poaching activity within the reserve. This denial adds a layer of complexity to the case, as the court must now weigh the official findings against the petitioner's claims.
Rising Trend of Tiger Deaths in Madhya Pradesh
Ajay Dubey's petition paints a grim picture of tiger conservation in the state, citing statistics that show a worrying upward trend in fatalities. According to the petition, there were 54 tiger deaths in Madhya Pradesh in 2025, marking the highest number since the inception of Project Tiger in 1973. Additionally, 10 more deaths have been recorded in 2026, further exacerbating concerns.
The petition provides a year-by-year comparison to illustrate this rise:
- 2022: 43 tiger deaths
- 2023: 45 tiger deaths
- 2024: 46 tiger deaths
- 2025: 54 tiger deaths
This data underscores the urgency of addressing the factors contributing to these deaths, whether through improved reserve management, stricter enforcement against illegal activities like electrocution, or enhanced conservation strategies.
Implications for Wildlife Conservation and Legal Action
The findings from the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve report highlight critical challenges in tiger conservation. While territorial fights are a natural part of tiger behavior, the deaths due to electrocution point to significant human-wildlife conflict issues that need immediate attention. The arrest of offenders in these cases is a step forward, but broader measures may be required to prevent such incidents in the future.
As the Madhya Pradesh High Court prepares for the next hearing on March 25, 2026, all eyes will be on how the legal system responds to these revelations. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for wildlife protection policies not only in Madhya Pradesh but across India, as the country strives to balance conservation efforts with human activities in and around tiger habitats.
