Call of the wild: How Sariska team crossed hurdles to set tiger free

  • | Tuesday | 27th June, 2017

(The author is an IFS officer and was posted as deputy field director, Sariska, (2005-2008) during the reintroduction phase at the Sariska tiger reserve) The entire Sariska team was directed to shift to Jaisinghpura. The day marked epitome of attempts by Sariska team. The idea was to disseminate awareness on tiger reintroduction project. By then, the helipad in Sariska was submerged and we received message that a male tiger had been successfully tranquilized at Ranthambore tiger reserve and was airlifted.Ground zero conditions were communicated.

Jaipur: I recall June 28, 2008 almost every year as a historical event in tiger conservation post independent India. The Sariska frontline staff — the unsung heroes — were to bring the King back to Sariska in India's maiden attempt of reintroducing tigers in the wild.An arduous task was assigned to a new team in 2005. For three years from 2005 to 2008, we revamped the protection network by initiating night patrolling in 120 routes, frequent raids and searches to nab possible poachers, simultaneously regulating the Pandupole religious tourism and relocating the Bhagani village at Behror Rund.Proposal for reintroduction of tiger was sent triple times — once in November 2005 in an area of 100 hectares, then again in 2007 for 10 hectares area and finally in 2008, it was decided to settle for two separate enclosures of one hectare each. As field managers, we were apprehensive as no one knew what the ideal size should be.To create an enabling atmosphere, we held a meeting of villages situated inside tiger reserve. The idea was to disseminate awareness on tiger reintroduction project. On May 29, 2008, the first meeting was held on the plateau of Kiraska —a village situated on the flat top of Sariska mountains. I was amazed as villagers agreed to the idea. The women folk, in particular, came up with an explanation that presence of tigers help in better management of cattle as it keeps diseases at bay by killing the weaker and sick ones. Seventeen villages agreed and assured of protecting the tiger when reintroduced.Finally, the morning of June 28, 2008 broke. The day marked epitome of attempts by Sariska team. Every single worker concealed their tears and smile as the moment was going to be a historical event in their life. At 4.30 am, I drove to Pandupole with my PCCF & field director to render offerings to the Lord for giving this day in our lives.But the clouds wept and by 6.30 am it was a deluge. News came that Ranthambore was in heavy rains too and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) team was finding it almost impossible to tranquilise the radio-collared tiger. By then, the helipad in Sariska was submerged and we received message that a male tiger had been successfully tranquilized at Ranthambore tiger reserve and was airlifted.Ground zero conditions were communicated. The site for landing was changed after consultation with the wing commander. A new GPS location for an airstrip at Jaisingpura, 26 kms away from Sariska, was sent. The entire Sariska team was directed to shift to Jaisinghpura. The MI-17 helicopter of IAF took off from Ranthambore with the tiger for Jaisinghpura but eventually landed in Sariska.The clock struck 1.13 pm and there was a call "Pull". The then forest minister of Rajasthan let loose the tiger from cage into enclosure. We were in tears. This was the day we had lived for.Nine years have passed and comparisons are just natural. Some say, there could have been better ways but we had no previous examples of reintroducing tigers in the wild. Now I see Sariska flourishes with 14 tigers. I feel blessed to have been offered the opportunity to serve Sariska in its toughest times. I pray that the villages are relocated from the critical tiger habitat paving way to a low disturbance free core natural area for this majestic species to breed and prosperSariska must live!(The author is an IFS officer and was posted as deputy field director, Sariska, (2005-2008) during the reintroduction phase at the Sariska tiger reserve)

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