Ranthambhore
Foundation
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in India's Rajasthan State is world-renowned for
its spectacular tigers and great natural beauty. Ranthambhore is the
embodiment of a natural resource under almost uncontrolled pressure from
surrounding human settlements and activities.
The growing number of deforestation has created a real problem for the
wildlife to survive the next decade against the tremendous pressure of
people and livestock. On account of this Valmik Thapar, an Indian naturalist
has launched a Ranthambhore Foundation to create a natural integration
between man, nature and wildlife.
Prime Concern
Over the years the Foundation's prime concern in Ranthambhore has been the
protection of wildlife, particularly the tiger. It is clear from the past
experience that man's desperate need for survival, and abuse of shrinking
natural resources, cannot be separated from the protection of forests and
natural areas for ecological reasons. Because man and cattle have created an
intense pressure on wilderness areas like Ranthambore in their endless
search for grazing pastures and forest produce, the Foundation, in its first
phase, is encountering several problems faced by forest communities.
The Plans of Ranthambhore Foundation
The Foundation plans to start a rural mobile medical service from April
1989, concentrating on women's welfare, child immunisations, and first aid
in villages around the reserve. The project will be administered by the
Parivar Seva Sansthya, a part of Marie Stopes International. A problematic
village is being surveyed to assess the viability of an integrated
alternative energy scheme to make the village self-sufficient and without
need of forest resources. This will involve biogas plants, alternative
fodder, smokeless stoves and solar heating systems.
Nature camps are to be run for village children, who will also be taken on
visits to the reserve. Another proposal is to establish a nursery to provide
the input to regreen village and grazing lands just outside the fringes of
the reserve.
