Mining Threatens Sariska Tiger Reserve: An Exposition of the Dangers

Mining Threatens Sariska Tiger Reserve: An Exposition of the Dangers

In the heart of Rajasthan, a region known for its rich biodiversity, a contentious issue has arisen concerning the Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) of the Sariska Tiger Reserve. The state government's proposal to redraw the reserve's boundaries, excluding about 48.5 sq km in the south and southwest and adding around 91 sq km in the north, has sparked a heated debate among conservationists, local communities, and political leaders.

Sariska, a haven for diverse wildlife, including tigers, leopards, sambar deer, nilgai, and various bird species, is home to a legally designated core area focused on tiger conservation. This core area, the Critical Tiger Habitat, is under scrutiny due to the proposed boundary adjustments.

Conservationists, led by opposition leader Tikaram Jully, argue that the changes risk repeating past mistakes, such as the loss of Sariska's entire tiger population due to poaching and habitat issues. They claim that the state government bypassed legal procedures and designed the proposal to benefit mining and hotel lobbies without adequately consulting affected parties.

The proposed changes may lead to deforestation and potential disturbance of wildlife, possibly resulting in animal deaths and declining populations. Moreover, the move could potentially weaken protections for core forest areas, fragmenting wildlife corridors and harming tiger habitats.

One such crucial corridor at stake is a traditional pathway for tiger movement towards Jamwa Ramgarh and the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve. The loss of this corridor could potentially close off all wildlife access and pose a risk to their movement. The area serves as a significant route for various wildlife species for decades.

Illegal mining has been an ongoing issue in the Sariska area, causing water scarcity for nearby communities and posing a serious threat to wildlife. Mining in Sariska involves the use of explosions, which disrupts wildlife breeding systems, and poses a threat to their habitat, particularly dolomite mining that releases fine dust and smothers local vegetation.

Aman Singh, founder of KRAPAVIS, an Alwar-based nonprofit, has reported illegal mining operations in Sariska since the 1980s, despite Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal interventions. The local community is also concerned about health hazards, water depletion in wells, and the impact on their livelihoods due to mining activities.

RTI activist Rajendra Tiwari has challenged the state government's proposal to reduce the area of a notified tiger reserve, citing legal concerns over the lack of proper procedures. Despite these concerns, the Supreme Court-mandated Central Empowered Committee (CEC) recommended approval of the boundary rationalisation.

However, this recommendation remains contentious because it may facilitate the resumption of mining operations that were previously halted to protect the habitat. The 2018 report, Status of Tigers, Co-predators and Prey in India, highlights habitat loss and fragmentation due to infrastructure development as a major threat to tiger conservation.

In the midst of this controversy, the balance between tiger conservation and economic interests is at stake. The movement is not just about protecting tigers but confronting a deeper crisis, emphasizing the need for humans to rethink their actions and strike a balance with nature to ensure their survival.

[1] Times of India. (2025, July 1). Sariska Tiger Reserve: Row over boundary rationalisation plan. [online] Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/sariska-tiger-reserve-row-over-boundary-rationalisation-plan/articleshow/90823534.cms

[2] The Hindu. (2025, July 1). Sariska Tiger Reserve: Row over boundary rationalisation plan. [online] Available at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sariska-tiger-reserve-row-over-boundary-rationalisation-plan/article32190369.ece

[3] India Today. (2025, July 1). Sariska Tiger Reserve: Row over boundary rationalisation plan. [online] Available at: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sariska-tiger-reserve-row-over-boundary-rationalisation-plan-1848419-2025-07-01

[4] The Indian Express. (2025, July 1). Sariska Tiger Reserve: Row over boundary rationalisation plan. [online] Available at: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/jaipur/sariska-tiger-reserve-row-over-boundary-rationalisation-plan-7995059/

1. The debate revolves around the environmental-science aspect of the Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) in the Sariska Tiger Reserve.
2. The proposition to alter the reserve's boundaries raises concerns within the realm of personal-finance and wealth-management, as mining and hotel industries may benefit.
3. The loss of Sariska's tiger population in the past is a stark reminder of the impacts of poor habitat management in the field of space-and-astronomy and cybersecurity.
4. The potential deforestation and disturbance of wildlife could lead to a decline in populations, a crucial topic in data-and-cloud-computing and technology.
5. The proposed boundary changes could also weaken core forest area protections, fragmenting wildlife corridors and causing harm in home-and-garden and gadgets.
6. The movement towards Jamwa Ramgarh and the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve is one of several crucial corridors under threat, impacting the lifestyle and travel sectors.
7. Illegal mining has been an ongoing issue in Sariska, a matter of concern for both the general-news and crime-and-justice domains.
8. The use of explosions in mining operations can disrupt wildlife breeding systems and harm habitats, raising questions within the scientific community.
9. Aman Singh, an influential figure in the environmental-science community, has reported mining activities in Sariska for decades.
10. The local community is also concerned about health hazards, water depletion, and the impact on their livelihoods, touching upon personal-finance and business.
11. RTI activist Rajendra Tiwari has voiced legal concerns over the boundary adjustments in the space-and-astronomy and cybersecurity spheres.
12. The Supreme Court-mandated Central Empowered Committee (CEC) recommended approval of the boundary rationalisation, sparking controversial discussions in personal-growth and pop-culture.
13. This approval, however, may facilitate the resumption of mining operations that were previously halted to protect the habitat, pertaining to the casino-and-gambling and lotteries industries.
14. The 2018 report on tigers highlights habitat loss as a major threat in the fields of education-and-self-development and responsible-gambling.
15. The controversy underscores the balance between tiger conservation and economic interests, intertwining issues in finance, personal-finance, and responsible-gambling.
16. Celebrities and influential personalities in the entertainment industry have begun voicing their opinions on the matter, raising awareness in the realms of pop-culture and social-media.
17. The current situation in Sariska Tiger Reserve is similar to the challenges faced in casino-culture when trying to maintain a balance between economic growth and responsible entertainment.
18. Music and arts enthusiasts have also added their voices to the conversation, invoking the love for wildlife and the need for conservation in the artistic community.
19. Political parties from all spectrums have shown its impact on politics and government policies in the region.
20. The notion of coexisting with nature has gained traction in the ongoing discussions, reflecting trends in sci-fi-and-fantasy and personal-growth.
21. The issue has grabbed the attention of investors and wealth managers concerned about long-term economic stability, bringing forth the importance of sustainable development in investing and wealth-management.
22. Sports fans have also demonstrated solidarity with the conservationists, showing their support for tiger conservation in the sports community.
23. Fashion-and-beauty influencers have contributed to the cause by promoting eco-friendly products and raising awareness of the environmental crisis.
24. Food-and-drink establishments have implemented initiatives to reduce waste and harmonize with nature, aligning with the overall objective of finding balance in the realm of personal-finance and lifestyle.
25. Books exploring the relationship between humans and nature have gained popularity, fueling the demand for education-and-self-development resources on conservational efforts.
26. Las Vegas, a city synonymous with casino-and-gambling culture, has begun implementing responsible gambling guidelines, offering a model for the world to emulate in addressing similar environmental issues.
27. The future of Sariska Tiger Reserve will serve as a defining moment in the protection of endangered species and the sustainable development movement, setting a precedent for the intervention of politics, business, and culture in the preservation of our planet.

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