The Honourable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, commented in April 2023 that, “… the culture of conservation (which) is intrinsic to every Indian. For wildlife to thrive, it is important for the ecosystem to thrive.”

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger, my travels to various tiger reserves have shown the successful efforts made to conserve this magnificent cat. The increase in numbers is testimony to the success of tiger conservation. However, is there more we can do?

My research of the Sariska Tiger Reserve, located in the state of Rajasthan, revealed that 2005 saw a grave decline in the tiger population, largely attributed to poaching and ineffective management practices. The government took decisive and immediate steps to enhance the protection and management of Sariska while reintroducing tigers. Following the completion of my open-source research, I identified two key and current risk factors: the existence of human settlements within the reserve and the visitation to the temple located inside.

The Wildlife Protection Act (1972) was amended in 2006, including the formation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), with provisions for relocating communities residing in critical wildlife habitats or ecologically sensitive areas. In the context of the village relocation plan implemented in February 2008, I visited the villages inside the reserve to understand the real issue at hand.

According to the data provided by the Forest Department, in 2009 there were 708 families in the tiger reserve residing in five villages: Sukola, Kankawari, Kraska, Haripura and Deveri, with Kraska being the most populous. A census was conducted in 2008–09 of the villages, and relocation options were given to the villagers.

Data provided by the Forest Department further revealed the government has successfully relocated 440 families as of January 2022. However, in the meantime, the headcount in the villages has increased. Despite not having any schools inside the reserve or any medical facilities, the settlements continue to grow. It is worth noting that children attend school (once they are old enough to walk outside the reserve); as such, the children in Karska (which is far from the gate) only attend an informal school nearby. The main source of livelihood remains cattle rearing and selling milk outside the reserve.

The feedback from the villagers of Kraska and Haripura indicates that the main issue of contention in prohibiting these human settlements from moving is compensation. As the data above reflects, the last census was conducted in 2011, and in the last 12 years, the underage villagers have crossed 21 years and are demanding independent compensation while their families expand in the meantime. One of the families interviewed in Kraska had eight sons. In 2011, seven of them were underage; as such, compensation was available only for the father and the oldest son; however, in the meantime, six of the boys are over 21 years old and have families and children of their own. Therefore, they are demanding commensurate compensation for the adult male members.

Conversations with villagers living within the reserve highlighted their request for a fresh census, after which they are ready to move out of Sariska Forest.

Another major risk identified is the visitation to the temples located inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve. Immediate and appropriate steps should be taken to manage the number of devotees, and restrictions on private vehicles (and speed) inside the Tiger Reserve are some suggestions.

While it is heartening to first-hand experience the good work done by the Forest Department, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, and the Government of India, I would sincerely urge immediate action to relocate human settlements to mitigate the risks identified and to continuously monitor and address potential threats to tiger conservation in Sariska. Poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflicts remain ongoing challenges that require sustained efforts to prevent history from repeating itself.

The writer is a grade 11 student of Vasant Valley School