Alwar/New Delhi: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Saturday inaugurated the National Workshop on “Tiger Re-introduction: Opportunities & Challenges” in Alwar, Rajasthan, highlighting India’s growing leadership in global wildlife conservation. During the event, the Minister released three major publications, including the Road Map on Active Management of Tigers in India, the Booklet on Reintroduction and Recovery of Tigers in India, and the Annual Report of Project Cheetah (September 2024–December 2025).
The workshop, organised by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in collaboration with the Government of Rajasthan, marked 18 years of tiger reintroduction in the Sariska Tiger Reserve and brought together field directors, Chief Wildlife Wardens and wildlife experts from across India’s tiger landscapes.
Protecting Tigers Means Protecting Forests and Biodiversity
Addressing the gathering, Bhupender Yadav stressed that tiger conservation goes far beyond protecting a single species.
He said conserving tigers also safeguards forests, watersheds and the rich biodiversity that depends on healthy forest ecosystems.
“Our priority is to ensure that our tigers are protected, our forests remain green and healthy and local communities continue to prosper,” the Minister said.
He added that conservation efforts must be driven by both scientific approaches and human values, with the objective of ensuring that no species becomes extinct and that threatened wildlife is successfully restored.
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Sariska Reintroduction Programme a Global Milestone
The Minister described the Sariska Tiger Reserve reintroduction programme as one of the most significant achievements in global wildlife conservation.
He noted that Sariska represents the world’s first successful scientific reintroduction of tigers into a landscape where the species had become locally extinct.
After losing all its tigers in 2005, Sariska has successfully recovered to support 56 tigers, making it a global example of species restoration through scientific management, dedicated conservation efforts and active community participation.
According to Bhupender Yadav, the Sariska experience offers valuable lessons for future tiger recovery programmes across India and internationally.
India Expands Tiger Conservation Network
Highlighting India’s achievements in tiger conservation, the Union Minister said the number of tiger reserves has increased from 46 to 58 over the past decade.
He also noted that India successfully achieved the St. Petersburg Declaration target of doubling its wild tiger population by 2022, reaffirming the country’s position as the global leader in tiger conservation.
Community Participation Key to Conservation Success
The Minister emphasized that community involvement has been central to the success of major wildlife restoration programmes.
He pointed out that the successful tiger reintroductions in Sariska and Panna Tiger Reserve became possible because of strong support from local communities.
In contrast, he noted that similar success could not be achieved in Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha, largely due to inadequate community participation.
Bhupender Yadav added that Project Cheetah has also benefited immensely from the active involvement of local communities living around conservation landscapes.
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Balance Tourism with Community Welfare
The Environment Minister said that while attracting domestic and international tourists remains important, equal priority must be given to safeguarding the interests and livelihoods of local communities.
He observed that sustainable conservation should create economic opportunities for people living around protected areas rather than treating them as separate from wildlife conservation efforts.
Focus on Landscape Connectivity
The Minister also highlighted the importance of maintaining ecological connectivity, particularly in landscapes where tiger and elephant habitats overlap.
He called for strengthening wildlife corridors to ensure healthy movement of animals across protected landscapes.
He urged participants to identify potential source and sink populations for tigers and develop science-based strategies for their long-term management.
Three Major Publications Released
On the occasion, Bhupender Yadav released three important publications aimed at strengthening wildlife conservation in India.
Road Map on Active Management of Tigers in India
The document provides a scientific framework for managing tiger populations across reserves and landscapes by identifying potential source and sink areas while recommending ecological management strategies.
Booklet on Reintroduction and Recovery of Tigers in India
The publication documents India’s experience in restoring tiger populations through carefully planned reintroduction and supplementation programmes, drawing lessons from Sariska and Panna Tiger Reserves.
Annual Report of Project Cheetah (September 2024–December 2025)
The report highlights progress made under India’s cheetah reintroduction programme, including:
- Cheetah translocations
- Habitat management
- Veterinary interventions
- Community participation
- Future conservation priorities
Experts Discuss Science-Based Conservation
The workshop featured multiple technical sessions covering:
- Habitat restoration
- Prey augmentation
- Wildlife translocation
- Landscape connectivity
- Monitoring protocols
- Active tiger management strategies
Participants also shared experiences from tiger reintroduction programmes in Sariska, Panna, and other tiger reserves, while tiger-deficient reserves presented preparedness plans and future recovery strategies.
Dedicated Sessions on Project Cheetah and Prey Augmentation
A special session focused on Project Cheetah, reviewing progress in India’s ambitious cheetah restoration initiative.
Another technical session examined the role of prey augmentation through translocation of species such as gaur and barasingha, which help restore ecological balance and support long-term tiger recovery.
Senior Wildlife Officials Attend Workshop
Among the dignitaries present were:
- Rajasthan Forest Minister Sanjay Sharma
- Director General, International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), S.P. Yadav
- Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, MoEFCC, Sushil Kumar Awasthi
- NTCA Member Secretary Sanjay Kumar
Speaking at the event, S.P. Yadav (UP:1989) said tiger reintroduction and translocation have become powerful tools for restoring ecological balance and that Sariska has demonstrated to the world that scientific conservation can successfully restore lost tiger populations.
Sushil Kumar Awasthi said Sariska, once devoid of tigers, now has the potential to become a source population for future reintroduction programmes in other suitable habitats.
NTCA Member Secretary Sanjay Kumar described the Sariska reintroduction programme as one of the defining milestones in the success of Project Tiger.
Workshop Recommendations to Shape Future Conservation
The recommendations emerging from the national workshop are expected to guide future conservation planning in tiger-deficient landscapes through:
- Science-based tiger reintroduction
- Population supplementation
- Prey base augmentation
- Habitat restoration
- Active wildlife management
- Strengthened collaboration between NTCA, State Forest Departments and scientific institutions
The workshop is expected to play a significant role in shaping India’s future tiger conservation policies while reinforcing the country’s global leadership in wildlife restoration.
