Sariska Tiger Reserve, once deemed a lost cause, has now become a prominent tiger hub in Rajasthan. Located in the Alwar district, this reserve represents a significant wildlife conservation success. However, this success has begun to pose a danger to nearby human populations.
On the night of August 14-15, a young tiger from Sariska, identified as ST-2303, ventured out of the forest and into residential areas. Reports indicate that the tiger fatally attacked four youths, severely injured others, and even chewed off a man’s hand. The ensuing panic led to a government-imposed holiday in local schools.
But why did the tiger leave the forest? Did it truly attack people? And how will the forest department address these incidents? Conversations with senior officials revealed that this tiger had been residing mainly outside Alwar, occasionally entering Sariska but often returning to the outskirts. When pursued by people, it attacked in self-defense.
Indian Masterminds spoke with Rajendra Kumar Hudda, a 2012 batch IFS officer and DCF of Alwar, for further insights into these events.
THE TIGER
The three-year-old tiger has now traveled approximately 110 kilometers and reached the Haryana border, specifically the Jhabua Forest in Rewari, covering nearly 100 kilometers. Jhabua Forest offers a rich prey base and ample cover, including millet fields that may serve as potential hiding spots.
Forest department officials launched a search after pugmarks were found in the Aravali forest on Saturday evening.
When the tiger first exited Sariska’s outer area, it moved into nearby villages in the Mundawar subdivision, injuring around five people. During one attack, the tiger fled when a bike’s light illuminated it but not before it chewed off a railway employee’s hand. The tiger is being closely monitored, but efforts to tranquilize it are being hampered by waterlogged fields. The difficult terrain is making it challenging to approach and manage the tiger effectively.
Mr. Hudda explained, “This tiger has primarily stayed in the outer areas of Alwar and its peripheral forests. It tends to move in and out of these areas, returning to familiar locations. This pattern of movement has been consistent.”
Currently, villagers and residents in the forest and its buffer zones have been alerted. The dense forest makes it challenging to tranquilize and capture the tiger.
RESCUE PLAN
Currently, a team of about 50 forest personnel is actively searching for the tiger, tracking its movements from Rajasthan to the Haryana border. The plan is to tranquilize and rescue the tiger, and then, based on government orders, relocate it to a suitable area. A team from Jaipur has also been mobilized to assist in the operation.
Monitoring of the tiger is ongoing, but waterlogged fields are complicating efforts to tranquilize it. The challenging terrain is making it difficult to approach and manage the tiger effectively.
Mr. Hudda stated, “We are monitoring the situation closely, hoping the tiger will prey on local wildlife. The tiger is familiar with the area, having ventured here before in January. At that time, it returned on its own after a few days in Haryana, without needing tranquilization.”
WHY ATTACK
Previously, this tiger has ventured outside without attacking humans. Its movements have been consistent, but this time it attacked only in self-defense.
Mr. Hudda explained, “When the tiger moved outside the Sariska range, some villagers pursued it with sticks. In response, the tiger attacked in self-defense, leading to injuries.”
WHY MOVE OUT
But what drives such movements? Why do tigers sometimes venture outside their forest habitats, leading to human-animal conflicts? Mr. Hudda explains that tigers often leave their territories due to territorial disputes, searching for new habitats after such confrontations. While no evidence of recent territorial fights has been found, this tiger may have ventured beyond its usual range in search of prey.
The tiger’s continued movement and subsequent conflict with humans could be a result of being chased, prompting it to stray further from its territory.
PLAN TO STOP SUCH MOVEMENT
To address and prevent such movements, a proposal has been put forth to expand the area of Sariska Tiger Reserve.
Mr. Hudda stated, “Expanding Sariska will enhance the prey base for tigers and reduce territorial disputes, thereby decreasing their movement into populated areas.”
He noted that while Sariska once had very few tigers, the population has been steadily increasing, now numbering around 40. Thus, expanding the reserve is crucial to accommodate the growing tiger population and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.
