A new wildlife conservation initiative in India has encountered a few complications. A tigress named Jamuna from Tadoba National Park in Maharashtra was translocated to Similipal National Park in Odisha. Tigers were relocated from Tadoba to Similipal to grow the population and maintain better genetic diversity in the area.
Tadoba National Park is a famous park in India for its large tiger population as well as rich wildlife. Every year, vast numbers of tourists visit here by making Tadoba safari bookings in hopes of viewing tigers in their natural environment. Due to Tadoba's healthy tiger population, relocating one of its tigresses to a different park was viewed as an important conservation initiative for tigers. However, following the one-year experimental duration, the data gathered does not reflect what was intended.
Why The Tigress Was Relocated
With help from NTCA, the Odisha Forest Department aimed to improve the living conditions of tigers in Similipal National Park. The Similipal forest had good tree cover, enough prey animals, and little human disturbance—what could be better than that for tigers?
For this purpose, two healthy, young, and strong tiger females, Jamuna and Zeenat, were selected from Tadoba National Park. On October 27, 2024, Jamuna was released back into the main area of Similipal Tiger Reserve with the objective of bringing new tigers to Similipal to breed and ultimately contribute to the tiger population's genetic variability.
Problems After Relocation
After Jamuna was released, she had trouble adjusting to her new surroundings. The land, weather, and vegetation in Similipal were very different from what she was used to in Tadoba National Park. Soon, she left the main area of the reserve and started moving toward nearby villages.
In these areas, Jamuna attacked some livestock, which worried local people. Instead of staying in Similipal, she wandered far away. She moved to Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Balasore district and later to Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Keonjhar. Both are part of the larger Similipal biosphere, but outside the main tiger reserve area.
Forest officials are still tracking Jamuna through her radio collar. They say she is still within the overall forest landscape. The department has decided to monitor her more closely to learn about her behavior and how she uses the forest.
Concerns About The Project
Experts are now questioning whether the relocation plan was well prepared. Many believe Jamuna’s movement outside Similipal shows that the area was not fully ready to receive new tigers.
Another question has come up during the national tiger census. Should Jamuna be counted as a Similipal tiger or as a tiger from Kuldiha or Hadagarh, where she now spends her time? This has created confusion among wildlife experts.
Former wildlife warden Bhanumitra Acharya has criticized the project. He said the government should have first improved Similipal’s management and habitat before bringing new tigers there. He also pointed out that a similar project in Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Angul district had already failed earlier because the relocated tigers could not survive or adjust. Many conservationists now fear that the same may happen in Similipal.
What Happens Next
Despite the challenges, forest officials are continuing their efforts. Officials are tracking Jamuna’s movements and closely observing her behavior. They are hopeful that by managing Jamuna carefully for the time being, this project will be a step towards an eventual tiger increase in Odisha.
The results will be important for future tiger relocation projects in India. If it is successful, this may influence additional projects. If failures occur, the government may proceed with even more caution. Overall, Tadoba National Park is still an excellent example of tiger conservation, and making a Tadoba safari booking is still one of your best ways to view wild tigers.
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