If Tigers Could Talk: What Would They Say to Those Who Fought for Them?

“In the 1970s, fewer than 1,800 of us remained across India. But thanks to passionate heroes in reserves like Ranthambore, Nagarhole, and Sariska, our number now tops 3,682. Here’s who helped us roar back.”

1. K Ullas Karanth (Nagarhole) “Ullas, when fewer than 10 of us prowled in the 1990s—fewer than ever recorded in decades — you set foot in our forests to prove we existed. Others doubted, you did not.”

“Your camera traps and capture–recapture studies showed our numbers climbed past 50, sparking a regional resurgence — today, over 250 tigers roam this landscape, seeding new forests beyond.”

2. Fateh Singh Rathore (Ranthambore) “Fateh, when villages stood in our way, you patiently moved 13 –16 villages between 1973 and 1976. You created space so forests and tigers like us could breathe again.”

“You restored lakes, replanted old jungles. Ranthambore’s revival is our homecoming — thanks to your resolve when hope was fading.”

3. Belinda Wright (Sariska) “Belinda, when Sariska lost every tiger by the mid-2000s, you spoke for us. You exposed poaching networks and held them to account.”

“With your fight for stronger enforcement and policy change, Sariska stands strong again, roaring with 49 tigers (up from zero in 2004). You led our return.”

4. Anish Andheria (Awareness & Education) “Anish, you made people feel our presence through films and outreach. Through Kids for Tigers, you’ve reached over 500,000 school children nationwide, turning students into stewards.”

“Because you connected hearts across India to our stripes, our conservation now has meaning beyond the forest — from hundreds of thousands of young voices rising, more friends joined our journey.”

5. Valmik Thapar (National Awareness) “Valmik, when Ranthambore’s future was uncertain, your storytelling brought our struggle to books, TV, and national conversations.”

If Tigers Could Talk: What Would They Say to Those Who Fought for Them?

By Raajwrita Dutta 29 July 2025

“In the 1970s, fewer than 1,800 of us remained across India. But thanks to passionate heroes in reserves like Ranthambore, Nagarhole, and Sariska, our number now tops 3,682. Here’s who helped us roar back.”

“Your camera traps and capture–recapture studies showed our numbers climbed past 50, sparking a regional resurgence — today, over 250 tigers roam this landscape, seeding new forests beyond.”

“You restored lakes, replanted old jungles. Ranthambore’s revival is our homecoming — thanks to your resolve when hope was fading.”

“Because you connected hearts across India to our stripes, our conservation now has meaning beyond the forest — from hundreds of thousands of young voices rising, more friends joined our journey.”

“Your voice transformed silence into action. Today, Ranthambore roars again because people once listened to your words.”