Living in Jim Corbett National Park, I’ve seen firsthand the beauty of the wildlife here, especially the magnificent tigers. But as much as I admire them, I’ve also come to understand the man-wildlife conflict that haunts the villages around the park. It’s a reality that many people don’t see when they come here for a safari or a trek. But for the villagers living in the buffer zones or even in the core areas of the park, this conflict is a daily struggle for survival.
I started my YouTube channel, Live the Life 300, to document both sides of the story: the awe-inspiring wildlife and the hard realities of the people who live in constant danger. This is their story.
Why Does the Conflict Happen?
In the past couple of decades, tiger conservation efforts in India have paid off—there’s no doubt about that. The population of tigers has increased dramatically, and while that’s a huge win for conservation, it has also created some serious challenges.
Tigers, as you know, are territorial animals. Each one requires a large area of the forest to claim as its own hunting ground. But as the number of tigers has grown, the available forest area hasn’t expanded. This means that when two tigers come into conflict over territory, the weaker one is often forced out of the forest and into nearby village areas.
And it’s not just about younger or displaced tigers. Older tigers, or those who are injured, face another challenge. As they age, their ability to hunt dwindles. Sometimes a tiger will get hurt—say it injures a leg and can no longer chase prey like deer or wild boar. When that happens, these tigers naturally start looking for easier prey, and the closest and easiest source of food is usually the villagers’ cattle.
In villages like Kupi, Mohaan, Sunderkhal, and Marchula, this is a reality. Tigers roam the outskirts, and villagers live in fear, knowing that at any moment, they could lose their livelihood—sometimes even their lives.
Understanding the Struggles of the Villagers
Having grown up near Corbett, I’ve always been aware of these issues, but it wasn’t until I started traveling to these villages that I truly grasped the depth of the problem. In places like Champawat, Pilibhit, and even the Sundarbans, villagers face the constant threat of tiger attacks. I’ve spoken to families who’ve lost everything when a tiger killed their cattle. For many of these families, their cattle are their primary source of income. Losing one or more animals to a tiger is not just a financial blow—it’s devastating.
And it’s not just about losing livestock. In some cases, people themselves become victims. I’ve met tiger attack survivors, and the fear they live with is unimaginable. It’s one thing to admire a tiger from a distance, but it’s quite another to live with the constant threat of an attack.
The Government’s Role: Tiger Conservation and Its Side Effects
The government has done a commendable job in saving the tiger, but as with any conservation effort, there are consequences. The increase in the tiger population has directly contributed to the rise in man-wildlife conflict. There’s simply not enough space for all these tigers to claim territory, and that’s why they venture into villages.
Every tiger needs its own territory, and when a tiger loses a fight for its land, it’s forced out—oftentimes into areas where people live. This leads to more frequent interactions between humans and tigers, which in turn, leads to more attacks.
In some areas, the government has tried to relocate villages to reduce the conflict, but many people remain in the buffer zones. These are the people who need the most help, and they’re often the ones who suffer the most.
What I’m Trying to Do Through My Channel
When I launched Live the Life 300, I wanted to offer a different perspective. Yes, I love showcasing the beauty of Corbett’s wildlife, especially the tigers. But I also want to raise awareness of the human-wildlife conflict that’s happening here and in other tiger reserves like Champawat, Pilibhit, and the Sundarbans.
I’ve traveled to remote villages like Jhargaon, Kota Chhami, Kyari, and Bhikiyasen, where I’ve spent time living with the locals. These are people who have little access to modern amenities—some villages don’t even have electricity or clean water. They’re doing their best to survive, but they’re often forgotten when it comes to government assistance.
Through my channel, I also aim to help tiger attack victims. I’ve raised funds for families who’ve lost livestock or even loved ones in these attacks. More importantly, I’ve been working to educate villagers on how to protect themselves. This isn’t an easy fight, but through awareness and education, I believe we can help reduce the number of tiger attacks.
Looking Forward: What Needs to Change?
The conflict between humans and tigers isn’t going away anytime soon. As the tiger population continues to grow, more and more tigers will be forced out of the forest, either because they’re pushed out by stronger tigers or because they’re too old or injured to hunt effectively. This means we’re likely to see more tiger attacks in the coming years.
The solution isn’t simple. We need better coordination between wildlife authorities and villagers. The government must focus not just on protecting tigers but also on protecting people. We need more buffer zones, better anti-poaching measures, and efforts to ensure that tigers have enough food in the forest, so they don’t have to rely on livestock.
As I continue my work on Live the Life 300, I hope to bring more attention to this issue. The man-wildlife conflict is a complex problem, but with the right approach, I believe we can find a way for humans and tigers to coexist. After all, we all belong to this land—both the people and the tigers.