Of late,tigershave been observed outside of the protected areas of the five tiger reserves in the state. Be it Anamalai, Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam, Kalakkad Mundanthurai or the newly formed Srivilliputhur Meghamalai, at least half a dozen tigers have been sighted.Its great news, say officials, because the sighting of tigers outside the reserves/protected areas indicates the population of the big cat in the state is on the rise.