“As sub-adults begin to grow, it’s natural that they begin to find their own territories in the buffer zone as the tiger is a very territorial animal. The young tiger will move away from the area it grew up in. With this is mind, we have agreed to make Amangarh forest part of the buffer zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve. It will now get funding from NTCA. The tiger is not a treasure that can be locked up, it needs to have corridors it can move in,” says Rajesh Gopal, Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority and Inspector General of Forests.

“In Corbett, the tigers are increasing and so are the other animals. Tigers will not stay confined to one area. The inter state co-operation, which is first of its kind, will help tackle poaching and crime also. For example, at least 11 km of the reserve are bordered by agricultural fields in UP which are best monitored by inter state cooperation. The tigers in the reserve will now have three forces to protect them — beat patrols with around 300 people, a 60-strong tiger protection force, and police officers from the two states,” says Park Director Rajeev Bhartari.