World Tiger Day: Discover India’s most underrated tiger reserves

While reserves like Ranthambore and Jim Corbett often steal the spotlight, India is home to several lesser-known tiger habitats that offer incredible wildlife experiences with fewer crowds. This World Tiger Day, discover these underrated tiger reserves that deserve a place on every wildlife enthusiast's bucket list. (unsplash)

Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal: Located in the eastern Himalayan foothills, Buxa Tiger Reserve combines lush forests, rivers, and rugged hills. Though tiger sightings are rare, its pristine wilderness and remarkable birdlife make it a hidden gem for nature lovers. (official website)

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh: Nestled along the Indo-Nepal border, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is known for its dense sal forests, grasslands, and rich biodiversity. Apart from tigers, visitors may spot swamp deer, one-horned rhinoceroses, and over 450 bird species. (wikimedia commons)

Kawal Tiger Reserve, Telangana: One of southern India's lesser-explored reserves, Kawal Tiger Reserve features teak forests and wildlife corridors connecting central and southern tiger populations. The reserve is also home to sloth bears, gaurs, and wild dogs. (official website)

Pakke Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh: Often overshadowed by more famous parks, Pakke Tiger Reserve is renowned for its evergreen forests and exceptional biodiversity. Along with tigers, it shelters hornbills, clouded leopards, Asiatic black bears, and hundreds of bird species, making it a paradise for wildlife photographers. (youtube: felis creations tv)

Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar: Situated at the foothills of the Himalayas, Valmiki Tiger Reserve is Bihar's only tiger reserve. Its diverse landscape of forests, grasslands, and rivers supports tigers, leopards, Indian bison, and numerous migratory birds. (official website)