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Tiger-Human Conflict at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve : A Struggle for Space

Syllabus:

GS-3:

Conservation

Focus:

The increasing human-wildlife conflict in Rajasthan’s Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, highlighted by a recent tiger attack on a villager, underscores the growing tension between conservation efforts and local livelihoods. The Reserve’s overcrowding, insufficient infrastructure, and strained relations with authorities are fueling protests and concerns.

Recent Incident: Tiger Attack and Human Tragedy

• Incident Overview: On November 2, a 50-year-old villager, Bharat Lal Meena, was attacked by a tiger near the Lliyana village, adjacent to the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. The body was found with the tiger sitting near it. The tiger was identified as “Chirico” (T86), and villagers, angry at the loss, killed the tiger.
• Human-Tiger Conflict: The region has witnessed increasing tiger attacks on humans due to the encroachment of human settlements in tiger territories. Over the years, the pattern of tiger behaviour has changed, leading to emotional and financial losses for locals, especially those reliant on livestock farming.
• Tiger Fatalities: From 2019 to 2024, the Reserve reported human deaths from tiger attacks, while over 2,000 cattle were killed by tigers in the same period.

About Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR):

• Location: Situated at the junction of the Aravallis and Vindhyas in Rajasthan, near Sawai Madhopur.
• Area: Spans 1,411 sq. km, one of northern India’s largest tiger reserves.
• History: Former royal hunting grounds for Jaipur’s Maharajas, with the Ranthambore Fort dating back to 944 AD.
• Geography: Features rocky hills, lakes (Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab), and rivers (Chambal, Banas), with significant geological features like the Great Boundary Fault.
• Flora and Fauna: Tropical dry deciduous forests, home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, and over 250 bird species.

Issues in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR):

• Overpopulation: RTR currently hosts approximately 75 tigers, far exceeding the suitable habitat capacity of around 40, leading to heightened competition among the big cats.
• Territorial Conflicts: Overcrowding has escalated territorial disputes, resulting in intense and sometimes fatal confrontations between tigers.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: The proximity of human settlements in the buffer zone increases the likelihood of tiger attacks, endangering both wildlife and human lives.
• Insufficient Monitoring: Gaps in monitoring, highlighted by the missing tigers in camera traps, indicate the need for more consistent and comprehensive surveillance.
• Delayed Relocation: The slow pace of village relocations from the buffer zones of RTR has contributed to persistent human-animal conflicts and hindered conservation efforts.

Village Response and Protests:

• Mourning and Grief: Bharat Lal’s wife, Prasathi, along with other villagers, mourned his loss. The village, which lies near the forest’s edge, has witnessed escalating tensions over human-wildlife conflict.
• Anger and Protest: Following the attack, villagers attempted to rescue Bharat Lal but were unable to save him. In anger, they carried his body for a protest, demanding compensation of ₹15 lakh for the family before agreeing to hand it over for post-mortem.
• Government Intervention: The situation escalated until State Agriculture Minister Kirndi Lal Meena intervened, assuring the villagers of compensation, after which they allowed the body to be taken for further proceedings.

Tensions Between Villagers and the Forest Department

• Distrust Towards Authorities: The local community has a history of strained relations with the Forest Department. Villagers feel that the Reserve’s expansion and management prioritise tourism over their well-being.
• Historical Conflicts: In the 1980s, the former Field Director of Ranthambore, Fateh Singh Rathore, was attacked by villagers for supporting conservation efforts. This reflects ongoing dissatisfaction among locals who perceive the Reserve as a threat to their livelihood and safety.
• Forest Department’s Actions: Following the incident, the department launched a search for the tiger, Chirico, who was later found dead due to injuries from a territorial fight with another tiger. Authorities clarified that the tiger, although injured, had not exhibited man-eating behaviour, as previously believed by villagers.

Changing Patterns of Human-Wildlife Conflict

• Shifting Tiger Behavior: Villagers note that tiger behaviour has changed over the years. Historically, tigers would roam fields without attacking humans, but recently, there have been more incidents of attacks.
• Economic and Social Impact: In neighbouring villages like Khava, tigers have killed livestock and even people. The fear of tiger attacks has forced locals to adjust their ways of living, with many now selling their goats and cattle for much lower prices due to the constant threat. This shift has also deprived them of essential dairy income.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: Many villagers now use loud sounds or tools when grazing cattle to deter tiger attacks. However, this fear continues to disrupt the traditional agricultural way of life.

Overcrowding and Long-Term Solutions

• Overcrowding at Ranthambore: The tiger population at Ranthambore, coupled with human settlements expanding into previously protected areas, has led to a critical overcrowding of both wildlife and humans. Tigers historically migrated across borders, but the lack of migration options due to human encroachment has worsened the situation.
• Call for Sustainable Solutions: The village communities demand increased support from the government, including higher and well-maintained boundary walls around villages to prevent tigers from entering agricultural lands. Despite repeated requests, these issues remain unaddressed, leading to further frustration among locals.
• Conservation and Livelihood Balance: While conservationists argue that tigers attacking humans is often due to stress-induced behaviour (such as injury or age), the balance between preserving wildlife and safeguarding human livelihoods remains a complex and contentious issue. The government and conservationists need to develop solutions that ensure both the survival of the tigers and the well-being of the villagers living in close proximity to the Reserve.

Challenges and Conservation Needs:

• Fragmented Habitat: The reserve comprises fragmented forests and agricultural land, restricting tiger movement.
• Connectivity to Other Reserves: RTR is connected to the Kuno-Palpur landscape in Madhya Pradesh, facilitating wildlife movement.
• Vegetation: Dominated by drought-resistant ‘dhak’ trees and other flowering plants, adding colour during dry summers.
• Increased Human-Wildlife Conflict:
  • Growing number of tiger attacks on humans and livestock.
  • Villagers face emotional and financial losses due to these incidents.
• Overcrowding of the Reserve:
  • High human population around the Reserve leads to reduced space for tigers, causing territorial disputes.
  • Insufficient migration corridors for tigers, leading to more human-tiger encounters.
• Distrust Towards Authorities:
  • Villagers feel neglected by the Forest Department, exacerbating tensions and hindering collaboration.
  • Delay in government responses to emergencies, leading to anger and protests.
• Economic Impact on Villagers:
  • Fear of tiger attacks forces villagers to sell livestock at lower prices, reducing their livelihood.
  • Loss of income from dairy farming and agriculture due to wildlife-related damages.
• Insufficient Infrastructure:
  • Inadequate protection measures, such as low or poorly maintained boundary walls around villages.
  • Limited compensation for livestock losses, leading to frustration.

Way Forward:

• Enhanced Conservation and Livelihood Balance:
  • Implement better wildlife management practices to ensure coexistence.
  • Create sustainable livelihood alternatives for villagers.
• Improved Infrastructure:
  • Strengthen and maintain physical barriers between forests and villages.
  • Improve early warning systems to prevent tiger attacks.
• Community Engagement:
  • Foster trust between villagers and authorities through regular communication.
  • Involve local communities in conservation efforts and decision-making processes.
• Strengthening Compensation Mechanisms:
  • Simplify and expedite the compensation process for livestock losses.
  • Ensure fair and timely financial assistance for affected families.

Conclusion:

Effective management of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve requires addressing the balance between human populations and wildlife conservation. Enhanced infrastructure, better community engagement, and more efficient compensation mechanisms can mitigate conflicts. A collaborative approach between authorities and villagers is essential to secure both human lives and tiger conservation.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Practice Question:

Discuss the challenges faced by communities living near wildlife reserves. What steps can be taken to ensure a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife?