Meeting of Rajasthan Tiger Conservation Foundation Held

Jaipur – The third meeting of the Governing Body of the Rajasthan Tiger Conservation Foundation, established to ensure the protection of tigers and the effective security of tiger reserves in the state, was held on Friday at Aranya Bhawan under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Forests (Independent Charge) Mr. Sanjay Sharma.

The meeting included detailed discussions on the current tiger population in Ranthambore, Sariska, Ramgarh Vishdhari, Dholpur, and Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserves; their movement patterns; human-wildlife conflict situations; use of technology in monitoring systems; key tiger conservation schemes; and future strategies.

Mr. Sanjay Sharma stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Bhajanlal Sharma, the state government is committed to biodiversity preservation and the protection of tigers. He instructed that monitoring in tiger reserves be strengthened by making CCTV surveillance, drone monitoring, and e-patrol systems more effective. He also directed officials to educate local communities about tiger reserve rules and the importance of conservation through night stays, interactive programs, and awareness campaigns.

Focus on Tourist Facilities and E-Governance

Mr. Sharma also instructed that all basic amenities, cleanliness, and proper maintenance be ensured for tourists visiting the sanctuaries. He emphasized upgrading the Forest Department’s website to make it more attractive and user-friendly, enabling transparent and smooth services like ticket booking.

He added that educational tours should be arranged free of cost for meritorious students in the state to raise awareness about the environment and wildlife. Additionally, he called for timely completion of road repairs and widening projects connected to sanctuaries as per regulations.

The meeting noted that efforts such as fencing, prompt compensation distribution, and coordination with local communities are being made to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Life insurance coverage is also being arranged for forest personnel and residents living near tiger reserves. During the session, the MoU signed by the Anil Agarwal Foundation for providing patrolling vehicles and setting up an anti-poaching camp worth ₹1 crore in the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve was approved.

Based on the suggestions made by the members present, the action plan for future initiatives was formulated. A thorough review was also conducted on tiger behavior, health monitoring, radio collar tracking, and the status of wildlife corridors.

Those present at the meeting included Jhalawar-Baran MP Mr. Dushyant Singh, Tonk-Sawai Madhopur MP Mr. Harish Meena, MLAs Mr. Sandeep Sharma, Mr. Mahendra Pal Meena, and Mr. Hansraj Meena, Bundi Zila Pramukh Mrs. Chandrawati Kanwar, Alwar Zila Pramukh Mr. Balveer Chhillar, Additional Chief Secretary (Forests & Environment) Mr. Anand Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Arijit Banerjee, and other officials from the department. District Collectors from concerned regions joined the meeting via video conferencing.