Gratitude to indigenous communities and the project team for their contribution to the effort of Global Tiger Initiative to create Tx2 – the global goal to double the number of wild tigers by the year 2022.

At Sariska National Park (Rajasthan India) tiger population has jumped to 24 (11 female & 7 male and 6 cubs) from 14 reported in 2017-18, a rise by 70% in 4-5 years.

KRAPAVIS NGO & POH KAO’s long-term project “Integrating Tiger Conservation and Coexistence in Sariska Tiger Reserve implement effective tiger conservation by linking strict protection with community-based conservation, integrating effectively traditional land use practices and local communities’ livelihoods.

The indigenous communities living alongside tigers at Sariska demonstrate an exceptional resilience to cohabit with tigers and leopards with whom they accept to lose part of their livestock (77% diet of Sariska’s Tigers is livestock). A conjunct of attitudes, practices and techniques are evidence to their harmonious coexistence, even with potentially life-threatening large predators such as tigers. Association of wild and domestic animals had never been competitive- it has, on contrary, been a symbiotic relationship. According to community, domestic livestock and wild animals have complementary functions in the maintenance of the equilibrium and productivity of vegetation.

We work on reviving traditional conservation practices; familiarising communities with the new legislation, empowering communities to assert traditional resource management rights and coexistence, environmental awareness and increasing villagers’ involvement in conservation including women and young adults.

Today, communities are recognized as key partners in strengthening the protection of the park’s borders against intruders, acting as sentinels, cooperating with park rangers.

12 past months’ achievements:

• Capacity building training cum workshop “Conservation, Livelihoods & Women in Sariska Tiger Reserve” Over 30 women, represented different villages from Sariska Tiger Reserve, took part in the training, as the livelihood of local communities has had badly affected due to COVID-19;
• Community awareness on “Dairy and Animal Health in Sariska Tiger Reserve” and Animal Health & Vaccination camps covered over 5000 animals;
• Digging and maintenance of monsoon water large reservoirs to provide water for wild and domestic animals during the dry season;
• 10,000 native trees planted to fix the banks of the reservoirs, fight erosion, and renew the food resources for the tiger prey;
• Water trough construction at two places, ensured water availability for thousands wild animals and livestock, particularly in summer (when temperature reaches 50 degree Celsius).