Jaipur: Sariska Tiger Reserve’s tiger population has risen to 52 after tigress ST-17 gave birth to three cubs in the Akbarpur range, officials said, marking a fresh milestone for the reserve where India’s first tiger reintroduction programme began in 2008.With the new litter, Sariska, the only tiger habitat in the NCR region, has crossed the 50-mark. A senior official said, “Tigress ST-17 at the reserve has given birth to three cubs, confirmed through camera traps in the Akbarpur range. Images captured show that both the tigress and her cubs are displaying normal behaviour. This marks the second successful litter for ST-17, contributing to an increase in the tiger population in Sariska, which now stands at 52.”Conservationists said the milestone could also boost eco-tourism as tiger sightings in the reserve become more frequent. Founder, Sariska Tiger Foundation, Dinesh Durani Verma, said, “From zero to a population touching 50 is a remarkable success story. The conservation efforts of the state forest department over the past two decades have made this possible. If more tourism routes are opened in areas where tiger sightings are frequent, it will attract a large number of visitors from the NCR and across the world.”Wildlife enthusiast Bharat Singh, a frequent visitor to the reserve, said the focus must now shift to creating more disturbance-free space, as several tigers have moved out of the park and established territories in nearby forests. Recently, three young tigers left the reserve and began occupying adjoining forests, reportedly because of habitat disturbance and a shortage of prey.Experts said habitat improvement in surrounding forest areas is now urgent. Singh said, “Sariska can support the current tiger population, but human activity and daily grazing by large buffalo herds disturb the park. The forest department alone lacks the resources to address this challenge. A coordinated effort involving the police and the district administration is essential to manage the situation.”A forest staff member, requesting anonymity, said more inviolate space must be created inside the reserve by relocating villages to reduce disturbance. “Due to increasing disturbance, tigers tend to move out of the reserve. Out of nine cubs born to ST-19, one tiger, ST-2303, had to be relocated to Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve after repeatedly straying into Haryana’s Jhabua forest from Sariska. A few months after relocation, the tiger died in a territorial fight in Ramgarh. More space is required,” the staff member said.
