India's government has unveiled plans to create eight new reserves to protect its tiger population.
Although the reserves are being established to protect the dwindling tiger population in India from threats such as poaching, the reserves could also serve as attractions for tourists
backpacking or on
gap year travel around the country.
The Panna Tiger Reserve, which also boasts leopards, bears, jackals and wolves among its attractions, recently announced that its foreign tourist numbers are continuing to grow.
Tiger Project Secretary, Rajesh Gopal, told the Associated Press that a loss of quality habitat and a scarcity of prey were also contributing to the declining population.
"The (government) assessment shows that though the tiger has suffered due to poaching, loss of quality habitat and loss of its prey, there is still hope."
It could take up to five years to set up the reserves, which will cost the Indian taxpayers an estimated £17 million to construct.
India was recently awarded the highly coveted accolade of number one tourist destination by Conde Nast Traveller UK by the magazine's readers at the annual travel awards.
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