India's oldest tigress, affectionately known as Rajmata and identified as ST-2 in the Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, breathed her last at the age of 19. Rajmata, credited with revitalising the once barren Sariska reserve, succumbed to injuries and illness after being under medical care for three months.

Rajmata, meaning the king's mother, played a pivotal role in the repopulation of the Sariska Tiger Reserve, which had witnessed the complete extinction of its big cat population due to rampant poaching.

Born to the world-famous tigress Machli from Ranthambore, Rajmata entered Sariska in 2008, becoming the second tigress in the park's repopulation initiative.

The 19-year-old tigress, after sustaining an injury, underwent monitoring by a committee of wildlife doctors.

Confined to an enclosure for approximately 113 days to facilitate medical treatment, Rajmata's movement in the wild was restricted. Her demise was confirmed&nbsp;by wildlife doctors who noted no movement during a routine checkup.

Rajmata's significance extends beyond her maternal role, as she birthed 25 out of the 30 cubs born in the reserve, contributing significantly to Sariska's tiger population recovery.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/data-lab-india-houses-75-of-the-worlds-tigers-but-lets-not-get-fixated-on-the-numbers-620409">Also read |&nbsp;Data Lab | India houses 75% of the world’s tigers, but let's not get fixated on numbers</a>

<h2>Sariska's conservation journey</h2>

Sariska National Park faced a dark period in 2004 when a thorough search revealed the extinction of its tiger population due to poaching.

It held the unfortunate distinction of being the only tiger reserve in India, post-independence, without any tigers. To resurrect the reserve, authorities initiated the reintroduction of mating adults from Ranthambore and other reserves.

Also watch |&nbsp;India Tiger census: India now home to 75% of world's Tiger | The India Story

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-tiger-census-india-now-home-to-75-of-worlds-tiger-the-india-story-583758/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

ST-2, being the first tigress relocated to Sariska in 2008, marked a turning point in the reserve's fortunes. Her maternal instincts and prolific breeding contributed to the birth of legendary tigers like ST-7, ST-8, ST-13, and ST-14. Living to the age of 19, Rajmata defied the average life expectancy of tigers, showcasing her resilience and significance in the conservation narrative.

(With inputs from agencies)

India's oldest tigress, affectionately known as Rajmata and identified as ST-2 in the Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, breathed her last at the age of 19. Rajmata, credited with revitalising the once barren Sariska reserve, succumbed to injuries and illness after being under medical care for three months.

India's oldest tigress, affectionately known as Rajmata and identified as ST-2 in the Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, breathed her last at the age of 19. Rajmata, credited with revitalising the once barren Sariska reserve, succumbed to injuries and illness after being under medical care for three months. Rajmata, meaning the king's mother, played a pivotal role in the repopulation of the Sariska Tiger Reserve, which had witnessed the complete extinction of its big cat population due to rampant poaching. Born to the world-famous tigress Machli from Ranthambore, Rajmata entered Sariska in 2008, becoming the second tigress in the park's repopulation initiative. The 19-year-old tigress, after sustaining an injury, underwent monitoring by a committee of wildlife doctors. Confined to an enclosure for approximately 113 days to facilitate medical treatment, Rajmata's movement in the wild was restricted. Her demise was confirmed by wildlife doctors who noted no movement during a routine checkup. Rajmata's significance extends beyond her maternal role, as she birthed 25 out of the 30 cubs born in the reserve, contributing significantly to Sariska's tiger population recovery. Also read | Data Lab | India houses 75% of the world’s tigers, but let's not get fixated on numbers Sariska's conservation journey Sariska National Park faced a dark period in 2004 when a thorough search revealed the extinction of its tiger population due to poaching. It held the unfortunate distinction of being the only tiger reserve in India, post-independence, without any tigers. To resurrect the reserve, authorities initiated the reintroduction of mating adults from Ranthambore and other reserves. Also watch | India Tiger census: India now home to 75% of world's Tiger | The India Story ST-2, being the first tigress relocated to Sariska in 2008, marked a turning point in the reserve's fortunes. Her maternal instincts and prolific breeding contributed to the birth of legendary tigers like ST-7, ST-8, ST-13, and ST-14. Living to the age of 19, Rajmata defied the average life expectancy of tigers, showcasing her resilience and significance in the conservation narrative. (With inputs from agencies)

India’s oldest tigress, Rajmata, credited with reviving Sariska reserve, passes away at 19

On the eve of World Tiger Day, India says 70% of the world's tigers roam and roar in its forests. It's a bittersweet statistic. Tigers are vanishing in other habitats. So, how is India succeeding in keeping its tigers safe?

Gravitas: India's success story in Tiger conservation

Only 13 per cent of the tiger conservation areas met the global standards of an accreditation system, the Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (tiger conservation areas), a new survey of current management methodologies at 112 sites located in 11 tiger-range countries, including India, said.&nbsp;

The survey is the first and largest rapid assessment of site-based tiger conservation across Asia and has been driven by 11 conservation organisations and tiger-range governments that are part of the CA|TS coalition.

Under the accreditation system of CA|TS, tiger conservation areas provide evidence under seven pillars and 17 elements of critical management activity to demonstrate that they meet a range of criteria for effective conservation management.&nbsp;

&quot;To date, three sites &mdash; Lansdowne Forest Division in Uttarakhand, India, Chitwan National Park in Nepal and Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve in Russia &mdash; have been awarded CA|TS Approved status,&quot; a statement said. The CA|TS was developed in response to the need for stringent conservation procedures for protection of the big cat through a partnership between governments and conservation organisations to assess the levels of effective management, among others. Of the 112 global sites surveyed, only 12.5 per cent was currently able to meet the full CA|TS criteria.

&quot;Half of the assessed sites (52.5 per cent) report fairly strong management, although there are improvements needed. The remaining 35 per cent (the majority of which are in Southeast Asia) have relatively weak management.

&nbsp;&quot;Basic needs such as enforcement of laws against poaching, engaging local communities and managing conflicts between people and wildlife, remain weak for all areas surveyed,&quot; it said. Global Tiger Forum Assistant Secretary General S P Yadav said an ineffective management of tiger conservation areas led to the extinction of tigers from certain areas.

&quot;To halt and reverse the decline of wild tigers, effective management is thus the single most important action. &quot;To achieve this, long-term investment in tiger conservation areas is absolutely essential and this is a responsibility that must be led by the tiger-range governments,? a statement quoted Yadav as saying.&nbsp;

Positive findings highlight the fact that tiger monitoring is being implemented in 87 per cent of the sites and all sites surveyed in South Asian and East Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Russia have management plans. However, several sites in Southeast Asia, including countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand, did not have management plans and about 85 per cent of the sites also had no systems for assessing management effectiveness, it said.

&quot;Despite poaching being one of the greatest threats faced by big cats, 85 per cent of the areas surveyed do not have the staff capacity to patrol the sites effectively and 61 per cent of the areas in Southeast Asia have a very limited anti-poaching enforcement,&quot; it said.

It said low investment from governments in Southeast Asia was one of the reasons for the lack of management of these supposedly &quot;protected areas&quot;. Michael Blazer, chair of the executive committee of CA|TS, said unless governments committed to sustained investments in the protection of these sites, the tiger population might face catastrophic decline that they had suffered over the last few decades. &quot;The accreditation of Lansdowne Forest Division, Uttarakhand, in May 2017, the third CA|TS accredited site globally and the first in India, is significant since it is a crucial link between the Rajaji and Corbett tiger reserves,&quot; said Ravi Singh, secretary general and CEO of WWF-India.

All sites surveyed in South Asian and East Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Russia have management plans

Only 13 per cent of the tiger conservation areas met the global standards of an accreditation system, the Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (tiger conservation areas), a new survey of current management methodologies at 112 sites located in 11 tiger-range countries, including India, said. The survey is the first and largest rapid assessment of site-based tiger conservation across Asia and has been driven by 11 conservation organisations and tiger-range governments that are part of the CA|TS coalition. Under the accreditation system of CA|TS, tiger conservation areas provide evidence under seven pillars and 17 elements of critical management activity to demonstrate that they meet a range of criteria for effective conservation management. "To date, three sites — Lansdowne Forest Division in Uttarakhand, India, Chitwan National Park in Nepal and Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve in Russia — have been awarded CA|TS Approved status," a statement said. The CA|TS was developed in response to the need for stringent conservation procedures for protection of the big cat through a partnership between governments and conservation organisations to assess the levels of effective management, among others. Of the 112 global sites surveyed, only 12.5 per cent was currently able to meet the full CA|TS criteria. "Half of the assessed sites (52.5 per cent) report fairly strong management, although there are improvements needed. The remaining 35 per cent (the majority of which are in Southeast Asia) have relatively weak management. "Basic needs such as enforcement of laws against poaching, engaging local communities and managing conflicts between people and wildlife, remain weak for all areas surveyed," it said. Global Tiger Forum Assistant Secretary General S P Yadav said an ineffective management of tiger conservation areas led to the extinction of tigers from certain areas. "To halt and reverse the decline of wild tigers, effective management is thus the single most important action. "To achieve this, long-term investment in tiger conservation areas is absolutely essential and this is a responsibility that must be led by the tiger-range governments,? a statement quoted Yadav as saying. Positive findings highlight the fact that tiger monitoring is being implemented in 87 per cent of the sites and all sites surveyed in South Asian and East Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Russia have management plans. However, several sites in Southeast Asia, including countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand, did not have management plans and about 85 per cent of the sites also had no systems for assessing management effectiveness, it said. "Despite poaching being one of the greatest threats faced by big cats, 85 per cent of the areas surveyed do not have the staff capacity to patrol the sites effectively and 61 per cent of the areas in Southeast Asia have a very limited anti-poaching enforcement," it said. It said low investment from governments in Southeast Asia was one of the reasons for the lack of management of these supposedly "protected areas". Michael Blazer, chair of the executive committee of CA|TS, said unless governments committed to sustained investments in the protection of these sites, the tiger population might face catastrophic decline that they had suffered over the last few decades. "The accreditation of Lansdowne Forest Division, Uttarakhand, in May 2017, the third CA|TS accredited site globally and the first in India, is significant since it is a crucial link between the Rajaji and Corbett tiger reserves," said Ravi Singh, secretary general and CEO of WWF-India.

Only 13% of tiger conservation areas meet global standards: Survey

From being tiger worshippers to guardians of the wildlife, the Baiga tribe in central Indian state Madhya Pradesh are playing a vital role in tiger conservation by helping forest officials in providing protection to the big cats and other wild animals living in the Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh. 
 
Members of the Baiga tribe, a semi-nomadic tribe of central India that is reliant on the forest, had been living in 28 villages within the Kanha National Park until 1968, after which they were relocated. 
 
The relocation was part of an effort to maintain a critical tiger habitat. In 2014, hundreds of Baiga tribals were evicted from the Kanha Tiger Reserve home. 
 
However, the tribe continues to be the lifeline of the forest and the forest officials continue to depend on the experience and acumen of tribals here for tiger conservation and wildlife protection. 
 
&quot;Without the cooperation of the tribals, there is no way that tigers could flourish in these jungles. It is because of their experience and help that we are able to protect our tigers better,&quot; said J S Chauhan, field director of Kanha National Park. 
 
Kanha National Park has ten experienced tribals also known as &#39;trackers&#39; who help the forest officials in tracing animals, especially tigers in the forest. 
 
According to Chauhan, the tribes understand the animals. 
 
&quot;We have about 8-10 such experienced tribals who help in tracking tigers. By observing the sound of movement of leaves and by chirpings of birds these trackers tell the approximate location of tigers which not only protect the tourists but also the tigers,&quot; he said. 
 
One tribal named &#39;Manglu&#39;, said Chauhan, was &quot;as good in tracking as Sachin Tendulkar is in batting.&quot; 
 
A guide who has been working in the forest since 2002 said Manglu had helped them to locate many tigers and provide them with the required aid. 
 
&quot;With just the reaction of animals he could identify the location of tigers,&quot; the guide said. 
 
The trackers also help in locating and administering required medical attention to sick tigers. 
 
&quot;We don&#39;t have advanced technology like that of developed countries to keep track of tigers, hence we rely on tribals who form the backbone of our system,&quot; added Chauhan. 
 
Other than that these tribals also help in igniting and dousing controlled forest fires and their acumen helps in the prevention of such fires. 
 
&quot;The tribals help us in identifying any suspicious person who may have entered the area to poach animals. We make sure that none of the villagers house any suspicious person. 
 
&quot;If we find any person who has entered the area to poach&nbsp;animals, we immediately report to the authorities,&quot; said Ajay Kumar, Baiga tribe member, who regularly help forest official in locating tigers. 
 
Kumar, who has grown up in the jungle and has been working here for the past seven years, said that he and his community worship tigers. 
 
&quot;No marriage in our home takes place without offering prayers to the tigers. That is the kind of respect we have for these animals here.&quot; 
 
According to another guide, tribals act as the lifeline of the forest and without them forest conservation becomes extremely difficult. 
 
&quot;Tribals are the best conservationists. Human presence in the forests is a deterrent to poachers. There has been no instance of tribals killing a tiger or any other wild animal,&quot; a naturalist said on condition of anonymity. 
 
According to the recent census, Madhya Pradesh now has 308 tigers against 257 in 2010. There are approximately 131 Tigers in Kanha National Park. 
 
The park, which is the largest in the Madhya Pradesh state, is spread over an area of 200 to 300 square kilometres and houses the Royal Bengal tiger, leopards, the sloth bear, barasingha, Indian wild dog, wild cats, foxes and jackals among other animals. It is also home to over 1000 species of flowering plants. 
 
The last of the villages to be relocated for the tiger habitat is in the core zone of the Kanha Tiger Reserve. It is the ancestral home of the Gond and Baiga tribes. 
 
According to Survival International, a global movement for tribal people&#39;s rights, tribals have proved time and again that they are the best conservationists. 
 
&quot;A new conservation model that respects tribal peoples&#39; rights and uses tribals&#39; expertise to protect and enhance ecological diversity is required. 
 
&quot;Tribals are better at looking after their environment than anyone else. They are the best conservationists and guardians of the natural world,&quot; said the organisation. 
 
The national park has evolved as a major tourist attraction over the years for wildlife enthuiasts from all over the world. 
 
The lowland forest is a mixture of sal and other mixed forest trees, interspersed with meadows. The highland forests are tropical moist dry deciduous type and of a completely different nature with bamboo growing on the slopes. 
 
&quot;Another conservation effort in the national park is the reintroduction of barasinghas. About 8 barasinghas were introduced in the reserve in 2003 to 04 and their numbers have now increased to 450,&quot; said a naturalist. 
(PTI) 
&nbsp;

The Kanha National Park has ten experienced tribals called 'trackers' who help the forest officials in tracing animals, especially tigers

From being tiger worshippers to guardians of the wildlife, the Baiga tribe in central Indian state Madhya Pradesh are playing a vital role in tiger conservation by helping forest officials in providing protection to the big cats and other wild animals living in the Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Members of the Baiga tribe, a semi-nomadic tribe of central India that is reliant on the forest, had been living in 28 villages within the Kanha National Park until 1968, after which they were relocated. The relocation was part of an effort to maintain a critical tiger habitat. In 2014, hundreds of Baiga tribals were evicted from the Kanha Tiger Reserve home. However, the tribe continues to be the lifeline of the forest and the forest officials continue to depend on the experience and acumen of tribals here for tiger conservation and wildlife protection. "Without the cooperation of the tribals, there is no way that tigers could flourish in these jungles. It is because of their experience and help that we are able to protect our tigers better," said J S Chauhan, field director of Kanha National Park. Kanha National Park has ten experienced tribals also known as 'trackers' who help the forest officials in tracing animals, especially tigers in the forest. According to Chauhan, the tribes understand the animals. "We have about 8-10 such experienced tribals who help in tracking tigers. By observing the sound of movement of leaves and by chirpings of birds these trackers tell the approximate location of tigers which not only protect the tourists but also the tigers," he said. One tribal named 'Manglu', said Chauhan, was "as good in tracking as Sachin Tendulkar is in batting." A guide who has been working in the forest since 2002 said Manglu had helped them to locate many tigers and provide them with the required aid. "With just the reaction of animals he could identify the location of tigers," the guide said. The trackers also help in locating and administering required medical attention to sick tigers. "We don't have advanced technology like that of developed countries to keep track of tigers, hence we rely on tribals who form the backbone of our system," added Chauhan. Other than that these tribals also help in igniting and dousing controlled forest fires and their acumen helps in the prevention of such fires. "The tribals help us in identifying any suspicious person who may have entered the area to poach animals. We make sure that none of the villagers house any suspicious person. "If we find any person who has entered the area to poach animals, we immediately report to the authorities," said Ajay Kumar, Baiga tribe member, who regularly help forest official in locating tigers. Kumar, who has grown up in the jungle and has been working here for the past seven years, said that he and his community worship tigers. "No marriage in our home takes place without offering prayers to the tigers. That is the kind of respect we have for these animals here." According to another guide, tribals act as the lifeline of the forest and without them forest conservation becomes extremely difficult. "Tribals are the best conservationists. Human presence in the forests is a deterrent to poachers. There has been no instance of tribals killing a tiger or any other wild animal," a naturalist said on condition of anonymity. According to the recent census, Madhya Pradesh now has 308 tigers against 257 in 2010. There are approximately 131 Tigers in Kanha National Park. The park, which is the largest in the Madhya Pradesh state, is spread over an area of 200 to 300 square kilometres and houses the Royal Bengal tiger, leopards, the sloth bear, barasingha, Indian wild dog, wild cats, foxes and jackals among other animals. It is also home to over 1000 species of flowering plants. The last of the villages to be relocated for the tiger habitat is in the core zone of the Kanha Tiger Reserve. It is the ancestral home of the Gond and Baiga tribes. According to Survival International, a global movement for tribal people's rights, tribals have proved time and again that they are the best conservationists. "A new conservation model that respects tribal peoples' rights and uses tribals' expertise to protect and enhance ecological diversity is required. "Tribals are better at looking after their environment than anyone else. They are the best conservationists and guardians of the natural world," said the organisation. The national park has evolved as a major tourist attraction over the years for wildlife enthuiasts from all over the world. The lowland forest is a mixture of sal and other mixed forest trees, interspersed with meadows. The highland forests are tropical moist dry deciduous type and of a completely different nature with bamboo growing on the slopes. "Another conservation effort in the national park is the reintroduction of barasinghas. About 8 barasinghas were introduced in the reserve in 2003 to 04 and their numbers have now increased to 450," said a naturalist. (PTI)

Tribals join India's tiger conservation effort

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