The 2026 State of India’s Environment (SOE 2026) report highlights a shift in tiger behavior. Released on February 25, 2026, the report explains how ecological changes, habitat degradation, and human interventions are altering the actions of India’s tigers. According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), tigers are increasingly targeting humans for sustenance.
The Shift in Tiger Behavior
Tigers rarely become compulsive human-eaters. However, they tend to attack humans when their natural prey becomes scarce or when they age. Experts believe that as the human population grows near tiger habitats, the proximity causes tigers to lose their natural fear of humans.
The Growing Human-Tiger Conflict
Between January and June 2025, at least 43 people were killed in tiger attacks near reserves. This number mirrors the 44 fatalities in 2024. Notably, in four of these 43 cases, tigers consumed parts of their victims.
With tiger populations increasing, many big cats are venturing outside protected reserves. About 40% of tiger territory in 20 states is shared by 60 million people. The overcrowding, habitat loss, and human activities near tiger habitats trigger changes in their behavior.
The Role of Lantana in Shifting Tiger Habitats
The report also discusses the tiger’s changing habitat. Tigers now prefer hunting in thickets of Lantana camara, an invasive plant. Originally introduced in the 19th century, lantana now dominates half of India’s scrublands and village commons. This plant suppresses native grasses, which are vital food sources for herbivores like cheetal and sambhar.
In areas dominated by lantana, wild herbivores avoid these spots, but domestic cattle graze there. Ninad Mungi, Assistant Professor at Aarhus University, explains that lantana-rich areas provide perfect cover for tigers to hunt cattle. These areas offer limited escape routes, making them ideal for predation.
Impact of Cattle Predation on Tiger Behavior
The report highlights that tigers are increasingly preying on cattle, which offer high-calorie food compared to smaller herbivores. In places like Bandhavgarh and Tadoba, tigers use lantana-dominated patches outside reserves as their hunting grounds.
Interestingly, when tigers kill cattle, livestock owners often receive compensation. This creates a paradox where some locals do not resent livestock loss, as it provides financial gain. However, this can distort tiger behavior, bringing them closer to human settlements and increasing their dependence on human resources.
Strategies for Managing Tiger Behavior
Experts suggest community-based conservation strategies to prevent human-tiger conflicts. They also recommend reducing human interference in tiger-dominated areas. These steps could help mitigate potential conflicts between humans and tigers.
