Jaipur: After the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) asked the state to resubmit the Tiger Conservation Plan (TCP) for Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) after incorporating certain amendments and recommendations, the forest administration began revising the proposal.The NTCA returned the plan that the state forest department submitted twice earlier, citing a few gaps. A senior forest official said, “The previous drafts did not adequately include corridor plans connecting RVTR with Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve. We are now collecting corridor data from Indargarh on the Ranthambore end and Bhagatpura on the Mukundra Hills end. The study is being conducted with the assistance of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). Once completed, the amended plan will be resubmitted.“The delay in approval left local wildlife enthusiasts and stakeholders waiting for the commencement of tiger safaris in the core area, which were proposed to begin in January 2026. Bhanwar Singh Hada, a wildlife enthusiast from Bundi, said, “Once core-area safaris begin, they will generate livelihood opportunities for thousands of people, as witnessed in Ranthambore. If operations started earlier, tourists and stakeholders would benefit during the peak season. The reserve has immense potential, especially with improved connectivity through the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway. Sightings are expected to be comparable to Ranthambore in the coming years. The forest department should expedite the process, as it is already delayed.”The reserve spans 1,501.89 square kilometres, comprising a core area of 481.90 sq km and a buffer zone of 1,019.98 sq km. It currently supports 8 tigers, including 2 adult males, 1 male cub aged around 12 months, and 5 tigresses, 1 of which was introduced through inter-state relocation.Upon NTCA approval of the amended TCP, regulated tiger safaris will be permitted in the core zone, strengthening eco-tourism prospects. “The TCP also incorporates scientific wildlife management, enhanced monitoring mechanisms, water resource development, human–wildlife conflict mitigation, and systematic population tracking,” said another senior official.According to experts, nearly 20% of the reserve area will be opened for eco-tourism after implementation of the TCP, creating employment avenues for local communities. In May 2022, the reserve received formal approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, becoming Rajasthan’s 4th and the country’s 52nd tiger reserve. The TCP was subsequently prepared to regulate tourism and related activities in accordance with NTCA guidelines.Officials proposed initial safari routes, including 1 from the Peepkhoda entry gate in Naitpur leading into the core area. Additional routes will be notified following final approval of the TCP amendment. 4 tourism zones are proposed, with carrying capacity to be determined as per NTCA norms. Plans also include relocation of 8 villages from within the reserve after statutory clearances.Tapeshwar Singh, a green expert, said, “After Independence, the forests came under the administration of the Rajasthan govt. In 1982, a portion was notified as the Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary under Section 5 of the Rajasthan Wild Animals and Birds Protection Act, 1951. Tigers reportedly disappeared from the sanctuary in 1999, before their recent reintroduction under the state’s conservation initiative.”
