Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve Under Threat As Mining Push Prompts Boundary Shift
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The Rajasthan government's plan to alter Sariska Tiger Reserve's boundaries for mining leases has sparked outrage among conservationists, raising fears of ecological damage
A controversial proposal by the Rajasthan government to alter the core boundaries of the Sariska Tiger Reserve has sparked outrage among wildlife conservationists and raised fears of a major ecological setback. At the heart of the controversy lies a plan to shrink parts of Sariska's Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) while expanding it elsewhere. If implemented, this reshaping of Sariska's map could pave the way for the revival of over 50 mining leases previously barred under environmental restrictions.
According to the official proposal currently under review, the government intends to exclude 48.39 square kilometres of land from the CTH, terming it 'eroded peripheral hills" that are already 'impacted by human activities". In exchange, it suggests adding 90.91 square kilometres from the buffer zone – areas considered of relatively lesser protection – arguing that this swap will create 'quality tiger habitat" and foster 'harmony" between forest authorities and local communities.
'This move is deeply unfortunate," said Sunayan Sharma, a retired Indian Forest Service officer and former Field Director of Sariska. We lost all our tigers in 2004 and spent years restoring the population. Today, with 48 tigers, including several cubs, we are seeing hope. Undermining this fragile recovery by opening up pathways for mining is akin to inviting disaster, Sharma added.
Sharma was among the key figures in the massive relocation and rehabilitation efforts that brought tigers back to Sariska in 2008 after they were declared locally extinct.
Critics argue that the land proposed for exclusion isn't merely degraded, it includes critical wildlife corridors. These narrow natural pathways allow tigers to move between different parts of the forest and are vital for their genetic diversity, territorial spread, and safety.
Emotions also run high among local conservation activists. Sunil Mehta, president of the Sariska Tiger Foundation, said the proposal feels like a betrayal of years of hard-won progress. 'We fought to bring Sariska back to life. Tigers returned. The forest began to breathe again," Mehta said, visibly emotional, adding, 'Now, if mining resumes, what legacy are we leaving behind? That we chose industry over integrity, concrete over cubs?"
According to Mehta and other experts, reintroducing mining in the area – even just outside the core boundary – will intensify noise, pollution, and human activity, directly threatening tiger habitats and the reserve's ecological balance.
The state government maintains that the proposed boundary realignment is scientifically sound and socially balanced. Officials argue that the new areas being added to the CTH are of high ecological value, and that the shift will not compromise tiger conservation.
However, many experts remain unconvinced. 'The claim that this is for better coordination with communities sounds more like a cover for economic interests," said a conservation policy analyst. 'We've seen such narratives before – conservation rebranded as compromise."
The proposal is currently pending approval before the State Wildlife Board. If it clears that hurdle, it will be forwarded to the National Board for Wildlife for final review. If greenlit, over 50 mines, dormant due to environmental safeguards, could resume operations almost immediately.
First Published:
June 23, 2025, 16:29 IST
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Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve Under Threat As Mining Push Prompts Boundary Shift
Last Updated: The Rajasthan government's plan to alter Sariska Tiger Reserve's boundaries for mining leases has sparked outrage among conservationists, raising fears of ecological damage A controversial proposal by the Rajasthan government to alter the core boundaries of the Sariska Tiger Reserve has sparked outrage among wildlife conservationists and raised fears of a major ecological setback. At the heart of the controversy lies a plan to shrink parts of Sariska's Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) while expanding it elsewhere. If implemented, this reshaping of Sariska's map could pave the way for the revival of over 50 mining leases previously barred under environmental restrictions. According to the official proposal currently under review, the government intends to exclude 48.39 square kilometres of land from the CTH, terming it 'eroded peripheral hills" that are already 'impacted by human activities". In exchange, it suggests adding 90.91 square kilometres from the buffer zone – areas considered of relatively lesser protection – arguing that this swap will create 'quality tiger habitat" and foster 'harmony" between forest authorities and local communities. 'This move is deeply unfortunate," said Sunayan Sharma, a retired Indian Forest Service officer and former Field Director of Sariska. We lost all our tigers in 2004 and spent years restoring the population. Today, with 48 tigers, including several cubs, we are seeing hope. Undermining this fragile recovery by opening up pathways for mining is akin to inviting disaster, Sharma added. Sharma was among the key figures in the massive relocation and rehabilitation efforts that brought tigers back to Sariska in 2008 after they were declared locally extinct. Critics argue that the land proposed for exclusion isn't merely degraded, it includes critical wildlife corridors. These narrow natural pathways allow tigers to move between different parts of the forest and are vital for their genetic diversity, territorial spread, and safety. Emotions also run high among local conservation activists. Sunil Mehta, president of the Sariska Tiger Foundation, said the proposal feels like a betrayal of years of hard-won progress. 'We fought to bring Sariska back to life. Tigers returned. The forest began to breathe again," Mehta said, visibly emotional, adding, 'Now, if mining resumes, what legacy are we leaving behind? That we chose industry over integrity, concrete over cubs?" According to Mehta and other experts, reintroducing mining in the area – even just outside the core boundary – will intensify noise, pollution, and human activity, directly threatening tiger habitats and the reserve's ecological balance. The state government maintains that the proposed boundary realignment is scientifically sound and socially balanced. Officials argue that the new areas being added to the CTH are of high ecological value, and that the shift will not compromise tiger conservation. However, many experts remain unconvinced. 'The claim that this is for better coordination with communities sounds more like a cover for economic interests," said a conservation policy analyst. 'We've seen such narratives before – conservation rebranded as compromise." The proposal is currently pending approval before the State Wildlife Board. If it clears that hurdle, it will be forwarded to the National Board for Wildlife for final review. If greenlit, over 50 mines, dormant due to environmental safeguards, could resume operations almost immediately. First Published: June 23, 2025, 16:29 IST
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