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Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) Initiative

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

The TOTR initiative represents an evolving strategy in India's successful tiger conservation story, addressing new challenges arising from population growth and dispersal. It highlights the importance of landscape-level conservation, community participation, and technological integration in environmental governance and sustainable development.

The Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) initiative is a targeted program launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to address the challenges of tiger conservation in landscapes beyond designated protected areas. It aims to establish a scientifically grounded, landscape-based framework for managing human-tiger coexistence.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Objective

Conserve tigers living outside protected areas while safeguarding human lives and livelihoods.

Context

35-40% of India's tiger population now lives outside designated Tiger Reserves due to successful conservation efforts and dispersal.

Approach Shift

From reactive crisis management to proactive, science-driven governance built on technology, preparedness, and community participation.

Pillars

Reducing human-tiger conflict (rapid response, rescue) and fostering long-term coexistence (community engagement, timely compensation).

Reference table

States in TOTR Phase 1

State
Uttarakhand
Uttar Pradesh
Rajasthan
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Karnataka
Tamil Nadu
Telangana
Assam

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaBiodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas
Conceptual areaEnvironmental Law & Policy

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate ChangeFormulates
National Tiger Conservation AuthorityGuides
State Forest DepartmentsImplements
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Quick revision

  • Addresses 35-40% of tigers living outside Protected Areas.
  • Focuses on proactive conflict mitigation and human-tiger coexistence.
  • Key pillars: rapid response teams, community engagement, timely compensation.
  • Utilizes modern conservation tools like camera traps, drones, and AI.
  • Pilot phase launched in 40 forest divisions across nine states.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025. 2. Sakhya Sa...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve' 1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin? 1. Nagarhole National Park 2. Papikonda National Park 3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve 4...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on har...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Factual recall

Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin? 1. Nagarhole National Park 2. Papikonda National Park 3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve 4...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on har...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin? 1. Nagarhole National Park 2. Papikonda National Park 3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve 4...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on har...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2014Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2014Conceptual understanding, Factual recall

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Biodiversity Conservation & Protected AreasEnvironmental Law & Policy
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

Open question

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

Open question
Prelims 2014· Conceptual understanding, Factual recall

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

Open question

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

Open question
Prelims 2020· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin? 1. Nagarhole National Park 2. Papikonda National Park 3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve 4...

Open question

Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on har...

Open question

Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?

Open question
Prelims 2020· Factual recall

Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin? 1. Nagarhole National Park 2. Papikonda National Park 3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve 4...

Open question

Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on har...

Open question

Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?

Open question
Prelims 2020· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin? 1. Nagarhole National Park 2. Papikonda National Park 3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve 4...

Open question

Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on har...

Open question

Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve' 1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes ...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025. 2. Sakhya Sa...

Open question

Co-existing with tigers outside reserves

29 Jul 2026 · The TOTR initiative is India's new policy to manage tigers outside reserves, focusing on proactive conflict mitigation, community trust, and technology. It marks a shift towards landscape-based conservation and coexistence, building on Project Tiger's success.

Read article

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Current topic

Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) Initiative

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) Initiative in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) Initiative

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin? 1. Nagarhole National Park 2. Papikonda National Park 3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve 4...

2020·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

2022·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on har...

2020·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?

2020·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025. 2. Sakhya Sa...

2026·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

2014·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve' 1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes ...

2023·Environment & Ecology
Solve

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

2014·Environment & Ecology
Solve

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