Jaipur/Alwar: Union minister Bhupender Yadav announced Sunday a documentary film on the Sariska tiger reintroduction programme to be made by wildlife filmmaker Subbiah Nallamuthu’s production house, Nalla’s Ark, in collaboration with the Union and Rajasthan govts.The announcement was made at the National Workshop on Tiger Reintroduction in Sariska. The film, to be produced in association with the Rajasthan Forest Department, will be shot across the reserve over the next two years and released to mark the 20th anniversary of the reintroduction programme.Officials said the documentary will trace Sariska’s recovery from the loss of its entire tiger population to the restoration of a breeding population after the reintroduction programme began in 2008. Sariska Tiger Reserve currently has 56 tigers.Speaking at the event, Yadav said, “The story of Sariska’s recovery should be documented and shared with a wider audience. The film will chronicle the conservation efforts undertaken by various agencies and stakeholders over nearly two decades.”Nallamuthu, who created the Tiger Anthem as part of TOI’s initiative to commemorate 50 years of Project Tiger, has previously documented Sariska’s tiger reintroduction programme and followed the reserve’s first reintroduced tiger for two years. His film Tiger Dynasty, produced for the BBC, focused on the reserve’s recovery efforts.Over the past two decades, Nallamuthu has produced wildlife films for broadcasters including the BBC, National Geographic and Worldwide Biggies Australia.A senior official said, “The upcoming documentary will record the contributions of the Govt of India, Rajasthan govt, forest department, scientists, field staff, conservationists and local communities involved in the restoration of the tiger population in Sariska.”At the same national-level event, Rajasthan Forest Minister Sanjay Sharma said heritage structures within and around Sariska Tiger Reserve will be restored once the state receives the Centre’s standard operating procedure, or SOP.Sharma said, “There are several structures and lakes, including Kankwari Fort, Pandupol Temple and Mansarovar Lake, which have historical, cultural and ecological value. Restoration work will be undertaken after receiving the SOP from the Centre.”
