The Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT) has responded to recent research by the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) that reported elevated stress levels among tigers in protected reserves linked to tourism and human activity. The organisation reiterated its opposition to any form of nature-based tourism that places undue pressure on wildlife or habitats, while calling for a broader understanding of the factors influencing tiger stress.
According to TOFT, responsible nature tourism has played an important role in supporting tiger conservation in India over the past two decades. The organisation argues that tourism has generated economic opportunities for local communities, created employment, supported park management and encouraged greater public engagement with wildlife conservation. Through what TOFT describes as “Tigernomics”, the sector has contributed to strengthening the perceived value of living wildlife and protected habitats among communities located near tiger reserves.
The organisation acknowledged that crowding around wildlife can contribute to stress among tigers and other species. However, it noted that stress levels are also influenced by a range of factors, including territorial competition among tigers, pilgrim movement, anti-poaching patrols, forest management activities and other forms of human presence within reserve landscapes.
TOFT cited observations from researchers and wildlife experts indicating that many tigers in tourism zones have become habituated to regulated visitor activity and often continue normal behavioural patterns in the presence of safari vehicles. The organisation also referenced examples from tiger reserves including Ranthambhore and Pench, where breeding success and population growth have continued despite significant visitor numbers.
The statement highlighted previous research suggesting that tiger densities in tourism and non-tourism zones have shown limited variation in some protected areas. According to TOFT, these findings indicate that tourism alone should not be viewed as the sole factor influencing stress levels or breeding outcomes.
At the same time, the organisation acknowledged challenges associated with current tourism management models in several reserves. It argued that heavily concentrated visitor activity around tiger sightings can create overcrowding and reduce the quality of both wildlife experiences and conservation outcomes. TOFT called for stricter enforcement of carrying capacities, particularly during peak holiday periods when visitor demand is high.
The organisation also emphasised the need to strengthen tourism planning beyond park boundaries through greater community participation, habitat restoration, improved land-use planning and protection of wildlife corridors. It said such measures would help ensure that tourism contributes more effectively to long-term conservation and sustainable development objectives.
