The cry of “Tiger! Tiger!” has long been one of fear in villages bordering forests. But soon, that cry may turn into an early warning – one that saves lives.
As tigers increasingly venture beyond the safety of protected reserves and into farmlands and villages, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is preparing to launch one of India’s most ambitious conflict-mitigation programmes yet – the ‘Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves’ (TOTR) project. Designed as a three-year pilot initiative, the programme aims to drastically reduce human–tiger conflict across the country, with four high-risk districts of Uttar Pradesh placed firmly at its heart.
Indian Masterminds spoke with 2022-batch IFS officer Bharath Kumar D. K., of the Forest and Wildlife Division, Pilibhit, who also oversees the TOTR project in Pilibhit, to learn more about the initiative and how it will work.”
Why Tigers Are Moving Out – And Why It Matters
India is home to 3,682 tigers, the highest population in the world. But nearly 30 per cent of these big cats now live outside notified tiger reserves, roaming through buffer zones, agricultural fields and human settlements.
Decades of successful conservation under Project Tiger have ensured strong protection inside reserves. However, forest boundaries have remained unchanged, even as tiger populations and prey bases have grown. The result is inevitable: tigers are crossing invisible borders.
Sugarcane fields of Uttar Pradesh – tall, dense and prey-rich – have become temporary shelters for these predators, bringing them dangerously close to human habitation. Encounters have turned fatal in some regions, creating fear, anger and resistance among local communities.
It is this growing fault line between conservation success and human safety that the TOTR project seeks to address.
What Is the ‘Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves’ Initiative?
The TOTR project is a technology-driven, community-oriented programme aimed at preventing human–wildlife conflict in forest fringe areas.
The project will be rolled out in 80 forest divisions across 17 states. In Uttar Pradesh, it will initially cover four of the most sensitive districts:
- Pilibhit
- Lakhimpur Kheri
- Bahraich
- Bijnor
“These are districts where tiger movement outside reserves is frequent, and where early intervention can save both human and animal lives,” IFS Bharat Kumar said.
The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
How Much Will Be Spent – And For How Long?
Each of the four districts in Uttar Pradesh will receive ₹90 lakh per year, directly funded by the NTCA.
Importantly, this is not a one-time grant.
“This is a three-year pilot project. Every year, each district will receive approximately ₹90 lakh,” explained Bharath Kumar D. K., 2022-batch IFS officer, Forest and Wildlife Division, Pilibhit.
That means a total investment of ₹2.7 crore per district over three years, focused on long-term asset creation rather than short-term fixes.
How Will the System Work on the Ground?
At the core of the TOTR project is a real-time early warning system.
High-Tech Surveillance
- High-resolution AI-enabled cameras will be installed in sensitive forest fringe areas.
- These cameras will detect the movement of tigers and other dangerous wildlife.
Instant Alerts
- When an animal comes within 100 metres, the system triggers:
- Mobile alerts sent instantly to forest officials, guards, village heads and panchayat representatives.
- Sirens installed at strategic locations, warning villagers to stay indoors.
“As soon as the camera captures the image of a tiger, sirens start blaring and alerts go out immediately. The idea is simple – warn people before danger reaches them,” he explained.
Where Will the Money Be Used?
The ₹90 lakh allocation per district is being carefully distributed across technology, infrastructure, training and community engagement.
According to Bharath Kumar, priority areas include –
- Thermal drones for night surveillance
- Rescue and patrolling vehicles
- Tranquiliser guns and safety equipment
- Hiring veterinary doctors
- AI-based monitoring systems
- Diesel and logistics for patrolling
- Training programmes for frontline staff
“Right now, we lack basic resources – rescue vehicles, ambulances, thermal drones. This project will turn those gaps into assets,” he said.
Training the Frontline: Learning From Across India
One of the most critical components of TOTR is hands-on training.
Forest staff will be sent to –
- Corbett, Bahraich and Bijnor for local learning
- Later to Panna, Tadoba, Pench, Periyar, and even Assam and Kerala to study how other states manage conflict with elephants, leopards and tigers
“No one can teach you how to rescue a tiger in a classroom. You learn it on the ground. Now, we’ll be able to send our staff where such conflicts are handled successfully,” IFS Bharath Kumar said.
This is especially relevant for Pilibhit, where elephant movement from Uttarakhand has recently increased, creating a new challenge for forest officials.
Community at the Centre: Bagh Mitra and Awareness Drives
Technology alone cannot solve conflict – trust must be built on the ground.
The project includes –
- Formation of Bagh Mitra committees
- Strengthening Eco-Development Committees (EDCs)
- Awareness campaigns using projectors, pamphlets and village meetings
“People often say, ‘It’s your tiger, take it back.’ But the tiger belongs to everyone. This project helps reduce anger, fear and misinformation,” he noted.
Why Uttar Pradesh Needs This Now
Uttar Pradesh’s Terai region is one of India’s most dynamic wildlife landscapes – rich in biodiversity, but densely populated.
“We have protected tigers very well. The population has grown. But the forest area hasn’t. So the tiger will come out – that’s natural,” Bharath Kumar explained.
The TOTR project acknowledges this reality and seeks coexistence rather than confrontation.
A Safer Future for People and Tigers
For forest staff, the project promises confidence and motivation.
“When staff have helmets, jackets, boots, vehicles and training, their risk-taking ability increases – and that saves lives,” he said.
For villagers, it offers something invaluable: time – those crucial minutes to move indoors, secure livestock and avoid tragedy.
And for tigers, it ensures safer monitoring, quicker rescue and reduced hostility.
As the ‘Tiger Outside Tiger Reserve’ project prepares for launch, one thing is clear – conservation in India is entering a new phase, where saving wildlife also means protecting the people who live alongside it.
If implemented well, the cry of “Tiger! Tiger!” may soon become not a warning of fear, but a signal of preparedness.
