Episode 37: Conserving the Satpuda Tiger Landscape with Kishor Rithe, Founder of the Satpuda Foundation

The Think Wildlife Podcast

The story of the Bengal Tiger is probably the pinnacle of India’s conservation miracles over the last few decades, especially following the enactment of Project Tiger. In fact, over the last 15 years, India’s tiger population has more than doubled. While this is promising, much work remains, as habitats continue to become fragmented, which fosters Human-Wildlife Conflict. Meanwhile, the threat of poaching in India still looms large. Additionally, the aspirations of nearly 300 million people who depend on India’s forests for sustenance are also of utmost importance.

One particular landscape that has been at the forefront of the tiger’s miraculous recovery is the Central Indian Tiger Landscape. As per the 2023 census, the region, which spreads across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chattisgarh, is home to over 700 tigers, which is almost a quarter of the global population. Conservationists, NGOs, and the government have been involved in a plethora of measures to bolster tiger populations in this region. This includes the restoration of degraded habitat, the protection of wildlife corridors, the creation of wildlife underpasses across highways, and the development of ecotourism.

In this episode, I interview Mr. Kishor Rithe, who is the founder of the Satpuda Foundation. As its name suggests, the organization primarily works in the Satpuda Tiger Landscape. This includes the forests of Kanha, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Pench Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Melghat Tiger Reserve, and Navegaon-Nagzira. Around 300 tigers are found in this landscape.

Through our discussions, we cover the work the organization is doing regarding tackling human-tiger conflict, voluntary resettlement of villages in tiger reserves, habitat restoration, nature education, and alternative livelihoods. We also talk about Kishor’s new role as the Director of the Bombay Natural History Society, which is the oldest wildlife conservation organization in India. The organization is leading research and conservation of various avifauna species, including Great Indian Bustards, Lesser Floricans, Amur Falcon, and various species of Vultures.

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