Tiger Reserve Staff Win Award for Voluntary Relocation

Frontline staff at Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) have been recognized with the National Tiger Conservation Authority's Award for Excellence. This accolade celebrates their successful efforts in guiding the voluntary relocation of 22 families from Jaigir village in 2025. The recognized individuals include range officer Umesh Dubey, field attendant Kumar Dharmveer, and forest guard Gaurang Swansi, all serving in PTR's south division.

Their work involved fostering trust and facilitating informed decisions through community consultations. Approximately 160 individuals relocated from Jaigir to Polpol, improving their access to vital services such as roads, electricity, education, and healthcare, which are often limited within tiger reserves due to development restrictions. The relocation process was entirely voluntary, emphasizing the agency of the residents.