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Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) has a total extent of 925 km². The ‘Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Proper, with an extent of 777 km²,was constituted in 1950 as per notification number F1.2854/49/DD dated 11 August 1950. The Sanctuary was brought under Project Tiger in 1978 as the 10th tiger reserve in the country and named Periyar Tiger Reserve. In 1982, an area of 350 km² within the Sanctuary was notified as Periyar National Park (vide S. R. O. No. 1407/82 (G.O (P) 310/82/AD dated 27 October 1982). An extent of 881 km² was notified (vide S.R.O. No. 1089/2007 (G.O. (P) No.75/07/F&WLD dated 31 December 2007)) as the core or Critical Tiger Habitat of PTR, which includes 733 km² of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Proper and 148 km² of reserved forests of the adjoining Goodrical Range of Ranni Division. An extent of 44 km² was notified as a buffer to PTR (vide G.O (P) No.18/2011/F&WLD dated 22 March 2011). The areas are drained by two major river systems, namely the Periyar and Pampa. Three major reservoirs, viz., Periyar Lake, Pampa and Kakki, exist within this area. The area has a high drainage density in most places. In addition to the natural water sources in the reserve, artificial waterholes are created to ensure water availability to animals during peak summer. 288 water holes have been created and maintained in the tiger reserve.

The reserve receives adequate funds from the NTCA and the state government.
Excellent coordination between the officers and staff of Pench TR. The average work force is young and dedicated.
Through the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC), PTR completely restored the irrigation department project site by removing all the buildings, foundations and dumps, including restoration through fodder development/Miyawaki plantations, which is exemplary.
There are MoUs with WRTC and other organisations in place for disease surveillance in and around PTR.
Though collaboration with NGOs is limited, the TR obtains support in research and monitoring and in organising resources for management and protection such as vehicles and equipment.
Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra together with Pench Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) is connected with Kanha Tiger Reserve, Nawegaon- Nagzira Tiger Reserve, Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve and Satpura Tiger Reserve and Melghat Tiger Reserve through territorial forests. This 134 connectivity is good for the long-term conservation of tigers in the central India landscape.

The draft TCP for the period of 2022–23 to 2031–32 has been submitted to the CWLW. It is yet to be approved.
Though PTR receives adequate funds from the NTCA and the state government, the fund flow is erratic.
The experienced staff members in PTR are due for transfers, and hence there is a need to train the staff members who are next in line.
Illegal fishing in the Totladoh reservoir (24% of the 77 km 2 reservoir is in Maharashtra) is one of the threats that demands substantial time and effort from the management.
The tourism booking is online, but it has to be made user-friendly and easily accessible.
The website of the TR has been developed, but it is yet to be approved.
The social media presence is weak and needs to be enhanced (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
Pench is able to levy conservation fees from hotels and resorts except for one resort, Wild Woods Resorts (Ali Arcadia).
A Steering Committee meeting has not been convened since 2019.
The Local Advisory Committee for Ecotourism requires immediate revision as submitted by PTR.
Pench TR Maharashtra is often confused with Pench TR MP. Renaming of the reserves may be considered so as to create separate identities.

Ensuring implementation of Sabarimala Master Plan and pilgrim management involving SAPP EDCs.
All existing anti-poaching camps will be made fully functional as per the prescriptions in TCP.
Eco-restoration activities are to be taken up in identified areas with exotic woody vegetation like eucalyptus, as per the eco-restoration policy and TCP prescriptions.
Alternate financial resources, including CSR funds, to be explored.
Security audit of Periyar Tiger Reserve, as suggested by the NTCA, is to be conducted.
Introduction of Braille data in the interpretation centre and other visitor facilities shall be made to make them more friendly to the visually challenged.
As 90% of the slots are being booked online and 10% offline for all the community-based eco-tourism (CBET) programmes and 50% of the boat tickets are booked online, an automatic messaging system shall be evolved to get the feedback from the tourists online.
Moreover, suggestion boxes can be kept at vantage locations where tourists can drop their feedback slips offline.

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Periyar Tiger Reserve