Ranthambhore is one of the most popular tiger reserves in India, cushioned in and around the Aravali & Vindhya hill ranges in the state of Rajasthan.
‘Project Tiger’ was launched here on April, 1973. The ‘Project Tiger’, as a concept, seeks to sustain the tiger population in its natural habitat by demarking specially constituted ‘Tiger Reserves’ throughout the country. It also meant the prioritization of the objective to free the parks from human exploitation and other biotic disturbances.
Unfortunately, the conflict between people and the tiger always had a devastating impact on every protected habitat of the tiger throughout the country. Ranthambhore was no exception. Being one of the first nine parks to be created as a Tiger Reserve meant that there had to be a habitat management to prevent further damage to the ecosystem and to put in place a repair process, to facilitate recovery of the ecosystem to its natural state.
Historically, Ranthambhore has always been a populated area with several villages situated within the periphery of its ‘Project Tiger’. Implementation of the concepts of the ‘Project Tiger’ meant going into a collision course with the presence of the human population living and sustaining livelihood within its boundaries.
The then park director Fateh Singh Rathore armed with powers to compensate the villagers, managed to move most of the villages outside the park. The park seemed secure, at least for the time being, from the onslaught of human interference with the resident wildlife. He did all that could be done within the capacity of a field director of the forest department.
After the second tiger crisis in the 1990’s, a need was felt to constitute an NGO that could help the forest department in strengthening their forces. Thus, Tiger Watch was born. Since its inception in 1998 Tiger Watch has moved from strength to strength and has proven itself to be a formidable force.
Tiger Watch has always led from the front be it anti-poaching, biodiversity exploration or traditional hunting community “Mogya” rehabilitation programs and set an example for the working of an efficient conservation unit.
It was through Tiger Watch’s efforts that the Mogya community, which mainly responsible for poaching in the region came to be noticed.
The main objectives of Tiger Watch include –
1) Helping in the protection of the wildlife in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve and its adjoining areas.
2) Forming an efficient anti-poaching network.
3) Helping the Mogya’s find an alternative source of livelihood so that they can be encouraged to reform.
4) Helping the women in the Mogya community become self-sufficient.
5) Educating the children of the Mogya community.
6) Exploring biodiversity in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve and its surrounding areas.
7) Helping in capacity building of the forest department by providing them with various resources.
8) To continue acting as a pressure group (in alliance with the media) in the area to ensure long-term efforts in protecting the tiger.
The Executive Team:
Mr. John Singh – Chairman
Founder of Jaipur Virasat Foundation and Anokhi an International Brand. John Singh has also promoted traditional Rajasthani Folk music right from Rajasthan villages to world over with his Morchang studio. His passion for saving wildlife is commendable. John Da as he is fondly called has the skill to manage resources optimally and priority based. His whole-hearted support is vital for organization.
Mr. Fateh Singh Rathore - Vice Chairman
The living legend of Ranthambhore. Mr. Fateh Singh who was the former Field Director of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve made this park world famous for its Tigers. Even today, he has been given the status of ‘Honorary Warden’ of the park. He is a man many have misunderstood or not desired to understand.
Mr. Ashutosh Mahadevia – Secretary
Ashutosh along with Fateh felt the need for "a private eye" to watch over the tigers in Ranthambhore.
Ashutosh or Ashu Bhai as he is fondly called, hails from the Mafatlal family and runs a textile business, which supplies clothing to the Indian armed forces and the police; responded to this challenge.
The team together; Fateh executes Tiger Watch on ground level, Ashu Bhai is that secretary of the organization who pumps the blood; as in the resources, if TW is some ones it is Ashu Bhai’s baby as he tought of It first. He is mainly a businessman from Mumbai. All the legal aspects are dealt by Ashu Bhai. He is the torchbearer of Tiger Watch.
Ms. Madhu Bhatnagar
A ‘Green teacher’ from Delhi. Madhu has undertaken the task of environment education for three Shri Ram Schools in Delhi. She has inspired and mobilized not just her students but also the parents to get involved in conservation activities. Her work for cleaning the Yamuna, rainwater harvesting and tiger conservation have created a difference in the world of conservation in a unique way. She is also the coordinator of Kids for Tigers, Delhi chapter. With her efforts Tiger Watch could start the much needed Mogya Rehabilitation program.
· Mr. Harsh Javeri - Treasurer
· Mr. Sachin Rai - Joint Secretary
· Mr. Shantanu Kumar
· Mr. Divyabhanu Singh Chavda
· Mr. Rishad Naoroji
· Mr. Ravi Singh
Field Team:
Dharmendra Khandal, Ph. D – Conservation Biologist
With a doctorate in botany, Dharmendra is the country’s foremost spider expert, and a connoisseur of Rajasthan’s flora and fauna. Dharmendra has been working at the ground level for tiger conservation since the past 6 years. A futurist in anti-poaching and wildlife conservation, he has not just helped governmental agencies nab poachers but also established ethics and methodology in anti-poaching strategies. He has religiously taken up the work of rehabilitating poachers’ families.
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