Jhumri’s journey: How one tigress helped revival of big cat numbers at Achanakmar Tiger Reserve

These included short-term efforts such as increased patrolling and aggressive — even reward-based — monitoring, and long-term ones such as creating sufficient artificial waterholes and creating super grasslands for the animals.

In many ways, Jhumri’s journey at the ATR mirrors that of the reserve’s own conservation efforts. A vital corridor connecting Kanha and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, Achanakmar is one of three tiger reserves in Chhattisgarh. It plays a crucial role in the tiger corridor network, vital for the movement of wildlife.

When the tigress first came in 2018, ATR was already battling dwindling tiger numbers – according to WWF-India, the tiger population in ATR had remained stagnant at five for several years.

“Survival, let alone revival, seemed uncertain then,” a forest official told The Indian Express.

That changed when Jhumri arrived. But its life at ATR wasn’t without challenges – in 2021, it lost one of her cubs to a dominant male.

It was in 2023 that ATR got its first break: Jhumri, with a little help from persistent monitoring by the Special Tiger Protection Force, raised two cubs to the subadult stage – the first tigress to do so in the reserve in 15 years.

But the watershed moment came this year, when camera traps confirmed Jhumri’s third litter of four healthy cubs – the first time in many years that the reserve had multiple breeding tigresses and thriving litters. Apart from Jhumri, the reserve has five males, four females – all breeding – and one new adult whose sex is yet to be identified. It also has eight cubs.

According to officials, much of this is down to conservation efforts, spurred on since Jhumri’s arrival.

ATR’s conservation efforts

Jhumri’s arrival led to a complete alteration in conservation efforts at ATR – patrolling increased in vulnerable areas, a Geographic Information Systems-based fire management system was introduced for fire prevention, detection, and response, and locals were roped in to help reduce conflict – all in an effort to keep Jhumri and its cubs safe.

Technology played a vital role. The forest department created and geotagged water saucers – or artificially created waterholes for animals – and ensured they are filled up every few days in the summer “to prevent the big cats from venturing into villages”.

Aggressive monitoring was undertaken, with the department taking a performance-oriented approach. Forest guards were given incentives to photograph tigers, and the Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-STrIPES) – the primary monitoring system for tigers – was used to monitor patrolling and reward guards for their performance.

More camera traps were set up, and in 2023, the department began using an integrated Central Digital Command Centre to transmit data from patrolling, fire alerts, and water monitoring into real-time dashboards.

At the same time, the department also undertook community outreach to help build trust, said officials. Mahua collectors were urged not to set fire to Mahua trees to make collection easier, fire prevention meetings were held and vaccination drives were held for cattle. In addition, tribal youth were trained in GIS, automatic collection and transmission of data from remote sources, and camera trapping.

Meanwhile, officials visited village residents and paid medical and compensation in case of injuries due to man-animal conflict – according to data, Rs 27.34 lakh was disbursed in 227 cases.

“The department also tapped into the local culture by engaging the local tribal artists to spread the message of co-existence in the jungle,” a forest official said.

At the same time, the department also worked on long-term plans such as creating “super grasslands” – lush, high-quality, or expansive grasslands. For this, the department is planning relocation of 19 villages in the reserve, of which eight have now given no-objection certificates, officials said.

Arun Kumar Pandey, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden, called the creation of super grasslands “the most important” step, saying work had been ongoing since 2009, when six villages were relocated.

“We are in the process of relocating three more villages,” Pandey said.

The department also focused on increasing the prey base and treating local water bodies. Meanwhile, a 10-year tiger conservation proposal for all tiger reserves in the state will soon be sent to the central government for approval, officials said. The plan has five parts — core, buffer, adjoining area, security, and eco-tourism – and is aimed at providing “a comprehensive roadmap linking habitat protection, community welfare, and sustainable tourism”.

As part of the scheme to boost tourism, the department is planning to upgrade infrastructure such as resorts and vehicles, and is considering having two more gates in addition to the existing two at the reserve.

According to officials, while all of these efforts were initially meant for Jhumri’s safety, it has now come to represent ATR’s resurgence.

“With real-time tech, eco-tourism, and village relocation after 15 years, we are uniting tradition, people and wildlife to make ATR a model for future conservation,” U R Ganesh, Deputy Director Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, told The Indian Express. “From five tigers to thriving litters, Achanakmar’s revival is proof that when technology, tradition, and trust come together, even the quietest forests can roar back to life.”

“Today, Jhumri’s four cubs — playful, strong, and confident— symbolise more than just survival. They represent a rebirth,” Ganesh said. “Jhumri has gone from being a lone tigress in a struggling forest to the matriarch of a growing population. Its story is not just of one animal’s resilience but of an entire landscape’s revival through technology, trust, and teamwork.”