By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 30 Apr: The Tiger Reintroduction Project, aimed at restoring the tiger population in Rajaji National Park, successfully concluded today with the shifting of the fifth and final tiger from Corbett Tiger Reserve. The rescue team at the Corbett Tiger Reserve bid farewell to the tiger with applause and pride, marking the completion of an historic conservation effort. It may be recalled that, under the scheme, four tigers have already been relocated to Rajaji National Park, and now with the fifth and final tiger relocated to Rajaji, the reintroduction project is over. It now becomes the huge responsibility of the Forest staff at the Rajaji National Park to ensure safety and health of the tigers and to monitor them on a regular basis.
It may be recalled that a continuous decline in the tiger population in the western region of Rajaji National Park had raised concerns, despite the abundance of natural resources and prey in the park. To address this, the Uttarakhand Forest Department had launched the Tiger Reintroduction Project in 2020, with the goal of transferring healthy tigers from Corbett to Rajaji. As part of the initiative, four tigers, one male and three females, had already been relocated from non-tourism zones of Corbett Tiger Reserve. In the final phase, a five-year-old male tiger was tranquilised in the Sanwalde non-tourism area of the Bijrani range. After a health check-up, the tiger was fitted with a satellite radio collar and transported to Rajaji National Park.
During the send-off operation from the Corbett Tiger Reserve, Director of the Reserve Dr Saket Badola stated that the project was conducted in collaboration with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Government of India. He termed it a significant step that would not only increase the tiger population in Rajaji but also enhance biodiversity and strengthen the ecosystem.
It may be recalled that, according to the experts, the western region of Rajaji, where the tiger has been released, has an ideal forest environment with ample prey and water sources. Experts believe that while the area was naturally suited for tigers, the absence of a stable population had hindered its ecological role in maintaining the eco balance.
The forest department officials confirmed that the tiger’s movements would be closely monitored through the satellite collar fitted on it to ensure its smooth transition into the new habitat. A team comprising veterinarians, rescue personnel, forest officers and tiger experts oversaw the shifting to ensure the animal remained stress-free and secure.
It may also be recalled that Corbett Tiger Reserve is known for its high tiger density, with a steadily growing population, which has enabled the successful relocation of tigers to other regions. Meanwhile, Rajaji National Park is expected to see renewed biodiversity and increased wildlife tourism following the introduction of new tigers.
It would be pertinent to remind here that this milestone comes at a time when India is celebrating 50 years of ‘Project Tiger’, a landmark conservation initiative that has helped India become home to over 70 percent of the world’s wild tiger population. The International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to further strengthen global efforts in conserving big cats, including tigers, across their natural habitats.
It is being hoped that as a new roar echoes through the forests of Rajaji, the ecosystem will thrive once again at Rajaji.
