https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Sanjay Tiger Reserve: Where the Big Cats and Local Communities Coexist

Indian Masterminds Special in the run-up to Global Tiger Day. With a rich biodiversity, including the majestic Bengal tiger, the success story of the Sanjay Tiger Reserve is truly inspiring. What started as zero has now become a family of over 41 tigers in STR
Indian Masterminds Stories

In the heart of India lies a remarkable testament to conservation efforts, the Sanjay Tiger Reserve (STR). Spanning across an area of 2,300 square kilometres, this pristine wilderness in the state of Madhya Pradesh is a symbol of hope, determination, and the resilience of nature. With a rich biodiversity, including the majestic Bengal tiger, the success story of the Sanjay Tiger Reserve is one that inspires the world.

What started as a handful of tigers has now become a family of over 41 tigers in STR, all because of the never-ending efforts put in by the forest department and the administration. Indian Masterminds exclusively spoke with the Deputy Director of the reserve, Mr. Hari Om, to understand more about the success story of STR.

HISTORY

STR has its roots going back to the 50s when the Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary was established, which was soon converted to Sanjay National Park in 1981. Gradually, Dubri and Sanjay merged to form Sanjay Tiger Reserve, which was officially established in 1975.

The journey of STR begansssssss when a male tiger was brought here from Panna as a residential animal and as the funding increased, after the launch of the project tiger, a further 22-23 tigers, were brought into the reserve from different spaces, expanding the family to now 41.

“It was an incremental effort of so many staff members and officers and I am proud to announce that today we have a stable population with sufficient male and female tigers involved in healthy breeding,” Mr. Om told Indian Masterminds.

As healthy breeding continues and little cubs take birth in the reserve, it becomes very essential to keep them safe and protected to keep their mortality rate in check. The forest department provides exceptional care to this factor which is the reason behind having over 17-18 healthy cubs in the reserve today.

CONSERVING AND PROTECTING

The Forest Department also takes special steps to protect and conserve the tigers in the reserve. Following NTCA’s guidelines provided by Project Tiger, STR has come forward to assign patrolling workers in every beat of the forest who will keep everything in check.

Furthermore, efforts have been made to make deeper grasslands in the reserve to induce a healthy prey population. This was done with the help of villagers who were convinced to relocate from the areas in order to expand the forest. 

“As of now, 31 villages have been relocated resulting in a good prey population in the region,” shared the officer.

AVOIDING HUMAN-ANIMAL CONFLICT

The journey towards creating the Sanjay Tiger Reserve was not without its challenges. The region faced threats of deforestation, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade. The local communities were struggling, and human-wildlife conflicts were on the rise. The situation demanded immediate action, and that’s when the forest department stepped in to protect this natural treasure.

One of the first crucial steps was engaging with local communities and raising awareness about the importance of conserving their natural heritage. Recognizing the significance of their involvement, the authorities initiated community-based conservation programs. By involving local residents in the decision-making process and offering them alternative livelihood opportunities, the reserve began to gain their support.

Simultaneously, anti-poaching measures were intensified. Well-trained forest guards were employed to patrol the reserve and protect its inhabitants, including the precious Bengal tigers. Advanced technology, such as camera traps and drones, was also incorporated into the monitoring process. The combination of community participation and robust anti-poaching efforts led to a significant reduction in illegal activities within the reserve.

“To protect the villagers from man-eating animals, we cleared out the greens from the periphery of the village and arranged for bright solar lights on the boundaries of the village and the houses, to keep the animals away. Furthermore, continuous monitoring was done along with raising awareness about the protection of animals and their own safety,” shared the officer.

A SUCCESSFUL INTERVENTION

Where there was minimal wildlife presence and hardly a few tigers in STR around 2006, there stands an army of the majestic creature today. Mr. Om praises his frontline staff for the same and acknowledges the support of the central and the state government in the increase of the tiger population.

The Tiger Reserve has also recently introduced around 44 Bisons in the range and their population is continually increasing.

Today, the Sanjay Tiger Reserve stands tall as a shining example of successful conservation. It is not only a sanctuary for endangered wildlife but also a source of pride for the local communities who have embraced the principles of coexistence with nature. The reserve’s success has also inspired similar initiatives in other parts of the country, reaffirming the belief that determined efforts and genuine collaboration can make a significant difference.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
MP CM Collector Award Niti Aayog
Sampurnata Abhiyan: Madhya Pradesh Leads NITI Aayog Campaign; Collectors from 8 Districts Win Gold
Mohan Yadav
MP CM Mohan Yadav Pushes for Sustainable, Community-Driven Rural Water Policy; Targets 100% Tap Coverage by March 2027
Ajay Bhadoo IAS
IAS Ajay Bhadoo Gets Extended Term as DGFT - What It Means & His Career Journey
THDCIL_Receives_ABMS_Certification_for_Integrity_and_Transparency
THDC India (THDCIL) Awarded ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Certification by BIS - Details Inside
Ministry of Environment
Environment Ministry Clarifies Petrol Vehicle Tender, Cites E-Vehicle Flexibility
Bokaro Steel Plant
PESB Selects Priya Ranjan to Head Bokaro Steel Plant, SAIL’s Key Production Unit
REC Limited wins ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC (DNA) Awards
REC Limited Bags ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC Awards
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
MP CM Collector Award Niti Aayog
Sampurnata Abhiyan: Madhya Pradesh Leads NITI Aayog Campaign; Collectors from 8 Districts Win Gold
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT