Rajasthan To Airlift 7 Tigers From MP & Maharashtra To 2 Reserves By Year-End

Jaipur: Two tiger reserves of Rajasthan, Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR) in Kota and Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) in Bundi, will get seven male and female tigers from MP and Maharashtra by the end of this year.

The forest department of the state is planning an ambitious airlift operation for this interstate translocation of Big Cats. The first such airlift translocation in the state was carried out in 2008 when a male tigre was sent to the then deserted Sariska Tiger Rsserve from Ranthambore.

The translocation is being persued by the Loksabha Speaker Om Birla who is MP from Kota - Bundi Loksabha constituency. He, along with Union Forest and Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, held a meeting of forest officials a couple of days ago and discussed the preparations for translocation.

To strengthen the prey base, it was decided to release 150 chitals (spotted deer) in both reserves.

The official said that considering the distance and to ensure the tigers’ safety and minimise travel stress, a request has been made to the Government of India and the Indian Air Force to permit the airlift of tigers which will be carried out between October to December this year in phases.

At present, RVTR has seven big cats, including sub-adults, and MHTR has five, including a cub.

Development of special rescue centers for leopards in Mukundra and Ramgarh Tiger Reserve was also decided in the meeting. Under this, 25 to 30 leopards will be transferred to rescue centers in a phased manner, and necessary fencing, a medical unit, monitoring system and trained staff will be arranged for their rehabilitation.