National Workshop on Tiger Reintroduction Concludes in Rajasthan
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organized a National Workshop on "Tiger Reintroduction: Opportunities & Challenges" in Alwar, Rajasthan on June 28, 2026. Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the workshop in the presence of Rajasthan Forest Minister Shri Sanjay Sharma, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary MoEFCC Shri Sushil Kumar Awasthi, Director General of International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Shri S.P. Yadav, and ADGF (Project Tiger) and Member Secretary of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Shri Sanjay Kumar.
Participation and Framework Development
The workshop brought together 12 Chief Wildlife Wardens and 18 Field Directors from States and Tiger Reserves across India. Participants deliberated on scientific, ecological, and management strategies for tiger reintroduction, supplementation, and recovery in tiger-deficient landscapes. Technical sessions focused on active management of tiger populations, prey augmentation, habitat restoration, landscape connectivity, and lessons from both tiger and cheetah reintroduction programmes.
Scientific Framework and Technical Presentations
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Tiger Cell presented a "Road Map for Stocking Tiger-deficient Areas: Framework for Active Management of Tiger Reserves in India," outlining a scientific framework for restoring tiger populations in suitable landscapes. Based on deliberations, certain Tiger Reserves were identified for focused recovery interventions by NTCA in collaboration with State Forest Departments. A senior scientist from WII emphasized the importance of in situ prey augmentation and the role of gaur and barasingha translocations in strengthening prey populations to support long-term tiger recovery.
Case Studies from Tiger Reserves
Chief Wildlife Wardens and Field Directors presented detailed case studies from nine Tiger Reserves: Sariska, Mukundara Hills, Panna, Veerangana Durgavati, Satkosia, Simlipal, Rajaji, Sahyadri, and Navegaon-Nagzira. These presentations covered field experiences, achievements, operational challenges, and lessons learned in translocation planning, post-release monitoring, habitat restoration, protection measures, community participation, and adaptive management practices.
Low Tiger-Density Reserves and Future Preparedness
Representatives from low tiger-density reserves including Buxa, Achanakmar, Udanti-Sitanadi, Indravati, and Palamau presented their landscapes' preparedness for future tiger recovery programs. The workshop generated recommendations providing a national framework for future tiger reintroduction, supplementation, habitat restoration, and prey augmentation programmes while strengthening collaboration among NTCA, State Forest Departments, scientific institutions, and conservation partners.
Cheetah Reintroduction Lessons and Field Visit
A special session on Project Cheetah showcased India's successful cheetah reintroduction programme, noted as the world's first inter-continental large carnivore reintroduction, and highlighted lessons applicable to future wildlife recovery initiatives. Following the workshop, participants visited Sariska Tiger Reserve to observe habitat management practices and review conservation interventions that enabled the successful recovery of the reserve's tiger population over the past eighteen years.