The recent loss of Tigress RVT-2 from Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) has caused
widespread concern among conservation fraternity and other stakeholders. As the first
breeding female in the region for several decades, her death was a major shock to the project
undertaken to increase tiger numbers in Rajasthan.
RVT-2 was a light of hope for RVTR, which had not long sustained a constant tiger density.
The fact she was a healthy female, who was able to breed when released, was considered
fundamental to the on-going survival of tigers in the area. However, the disappearance of the
her and the later discovery of her radio collar, and skeleton on the 14/10/2024 have raised
more question and doubts concerning the present form of conservation practices.
Field operations conducted by the Forest Department show that such a search is a matter of
high concern. However, its cause of death remains unclear as can be, it could have died of
natural causes, or it could have been poached or poisoned. This unpredictability underlines
the requirement for greater density of observing and preserving the rest of tigers.
RVT-2 is not loss for state of Rajasthan only; rather it is a loss for the entire nation. Tigers
are one of the inhabitants of the specifically Indian wildlife, while their protection is
necessary for preserving balance in the Indian ecosystem. Loss of such a valuable asset
presents strong deviations into the tiger gene pool hence may result to substantial reduction
of the species’ overall body capacity to diseases and other factors affecting survival.
The people who care about the conservation of animals and freelance wildlife experts have
urged the government to investigate RVT-2’s death to establish the reason and so that others
like it do not recur. This event also provides a powerful message to the campaigns of wildlife
conservation since most of the wildlife’s habitats are under threat, humans have to defend
themselves against the aggressively invasive wildlife, and most of the wildlife products are
endangered in the black market.
The Government and many NGDOs have not left any stone unturned to conserve and
enhance tiger territories in Rajasthan. RTI activists have been instrumental in such actions
and programmes such as the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Project
Tiger. Nevertheless, RVT-2 emphasizes that AVIAN conservation strategies should be
changed constantly and improved as threats evolve.
Tiger reserve is a home that conserves natural wildlife, and the people living surrounding
areas have the responsibility of overseeing the conservation of wildlife. It suggests that when
educating and empowering such communities, chances of enhanced conservation practices
to help in minimizing human- wildlife clashes are improved.
Tiger Conservation in India
The preservation of India's tigers is crucial to the preservation of the country's biodiversity
and cultural legacy. India has the top position in terms of tiger conservation since it is the
country with the greatest tiger range globally. In the past few years, the country has put in
place several actions that helped to protect and restore this beautiful species.
Project Tiger
Beginning in 1973, Project Tiger is one of the biggest and effective programs for wildlife
conservation in India. Such was launched by the Government of India to counter the
alarming situation of decreasing tiger number. The main ambit of the Project Tiger is the
viable population of tigers in its natural environment with their protection from poaching
and habitat degradation. Initially it was undertaken in nine Tiger reserves and it has now
spread up to 50 reserves all over the nation.
NTCA or National Tiger Conservation Authority
Set up in 2006. Project Tiger is coordinated and monitored by the NTCA so that related
efforts are lined to save tigers. In particular, it assists tiger reserves economically and
through offering appropriate technological assistance and is directly involved with state
governments in order to improve the conservation measures of tiger habitats.
Anti-Poaching Measures
India has put powerful anti-poaching measures in practice to check the rising menace of
poaching. Modern equipment has been provided and trained personnel in specialized anti-
poaching units marshalled in tiger reserves. Further there has been emphasis on the
community led methods for anti-poaching and stakeholders have been encouraged to
participate in the conservation of tigers and their natural home.
Habitat restoration and corridors initiative
Fragmentation and changes in habitat are one of the most critical threats that should be deal
with while saving tigers. To this end, active attempts have been made to rewind the area by
several organizations and creation of wildlife corridors. These potential corridors enable
tigers and other animals to migrate between different forest tracts while maintaining genetic
stock, which is an effective way to perform population control without significantly
disrupting wildlife contact with human beings. The restoration of habitats also means that
people live in villages which have been moved away from the dense tiger populations to
avoid such drastic interventions.
Awareness
Education and awareness increases participation of community which plays important role
in tiger conservation. Some of the programs that have being launched are directed towards
informing and evoking the interest of people residing in areas surrounding Tiger reserves.
These strategies to extent tiger conservation focus on encouraging suitable income sources
for the community so that they support tiger conservation initiatives.
Technological Advancements
Even greater technological contributions have boosted tiger conservation in countless ways.
Camera trapping and Satellite Telemetry and geographical Information Systems (GIS) have
enhanced the monitoring and conservation of tiger stocks. These technologies facilitate the
acquisition of important information pertaining to tiger movement, activity and
demographic information that is useful in making specific conservation measures.
Major Tiger Species Found in India
The Indian Bengal tiger is a proud and well-known animal, which suggests that Indian
people appreciate their culture and natural resources. Otherwise referred to scientifically as
Panthera tigris tigris, the Bengal tiger is the only tiger sub-species existing in India. The
species is characterized by a stately bearing and an affinity for the orange colour with distinct
black lines, and is famous for its elegance and strength.
- Physical Characteristics: One of the largest of all subspecies of tiger since the
male wan weigh between 100 to 300 kgs and the females between 60 to 170 kgs.
Being big and brightly coloured animals, they fit perfectly into the picture of Indian
wildlife.
- Habitat and Distribution: Bengal tigers inhabit a wide variety of environments
throughout India, from the delta of the world’s largest tiger delta and mangroves of
Sunder ban to the deciduous forests of central and southern India. It inhabits areas
such as grasslands, tropical and subtropical wetland and forests, deciduous forests,
and mangroves. Major reserves include Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Jim Corbett and
Ranthambore National parks.
- Behaviour and Diet: Tiger, particularly Bengal tiger is found alone and each tiger
has his own area known as his territory. These animals are famous for their stalking
ability as well as their strength when hunting their usual prey that includes deer, wild
boar and any other large mammals. They have sharp eyesight and ears, well
developed muscle mass and they are great hunters for they can hunt even the largest
of all animals.
- Conservation Status: The tiger located in Bengal is listed as Endangered on IUCN
Red list; their major threat being habitat fragmentation and hunting. Protection
measures in India have played a big role in preserving such marvellous animal.
Government and non-government agencies like Project Tiger and developing many
tiger reserves have played average role in tiger population. But more constant and
intensive actions are still the key problems to stop the poaching and save their
natural environment.
Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR)
The comparatively recent addition to the schedule of Tiger reserves in India is the Ramgarh
Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR), situated in the south eastern region in the state of
Rajasthan. Founded in 2023 RVTR is one of the Measures launched by the state to increase
its tiger conservation program and carrier capacity of this magnificent animal.
- Geographic Location and Size: The extent of RVTR is about 1501.88 Km², where
the core area lies to be 481.9 Km² and the buffer area 1019.98 Km². The flora of the
reserve includes more than 540 plant species, and two streams which are the Mez
River a tributary to the Chambal River.
- Flora and Fauna: Dhok (Anogeissus pendula) trees are dominant in the habitat of
RVTR which falls in the Dry Deciduous Forests zone of the country. Different animals
can be found at the reserve such as the leopard, sloth bear and many others as well as
herbivores like the deer and the wild boar. The implementation effort, however, is
oriented toward the species most directly, the Bengal tiger, the objective being to
provide the proper conditions for breeding and living.
- Conservation Efforts: It is located in the larger context linked with the
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in the north-eastern part and the Mukundara Hills Tiger
Reserve in the southern part. This makes an important feature for gene flow. It too is
positioned in the Vindhyan and Aravalli bio-geographical regions thereby playing a
rich ecological role.
- Challenges and Initiatives: Another problem with which RVTR has what is
human wildlife conflict since the area is bordering the villages and agricultural fields.
There is attempt of reducing such conflicts with the help of enlightenment campaigns
within the communities. Also, the reserve uses various technologies such as camera
trapping, radio collaring to track tiger movements and then protect them.
- Recent Developments: Much of RVTR’s loss-making making has been attributed
to the death of Tigress RVT-2 in the recent past. Once the first breeding female in the
region for decades she has brought to the public attention the need for improved
surveillance and conservation efforts. The autopsy is still under conduct, although
wildlife activists are now urging: More measures should be taken to avoid such
occurrences in the future.
- Future Prospects: However, it has scope for tiger conservation in Rajasthan as a
tool. With further support from the government, NGOs and locals the reserve can
improve its potential to become a viable home for tigers and other species of wildlife.
It is important to note that a protection pattern for RVTR will have to be consistent,
further, habitat improvement measures and stewardship strategies will be critical to
the success of RVTR.