Hyderabad, May 18 -- Tiger, the Indian national animal, is under a new threat - stress from the exploding "tiger tourism," which is shrinking their spaces and time for breeding and growing in numbers.

For decades before Project Tiger was launched in the 1970s during the prime ministership of Indira Gandhi, the famous Royal Bengal tiger was diminishing in numbers in the wild due to poaching and wildlife hunting. The majestic animal faced an existential threat for decades.

Luckily, efforts of Project Tiger and wildlife conservationists succeeded, and their numbers have grown to a healthy 3,000-plus now. Many of the popular tiger sanctuaries across the country also have healthy populations.

This attracted tourists and wildlife enthusiasts...