Official statements claim that tigers lived in the forests of  Kumbalgarh and the adjoining regions of Roopnagar, Dewair, Phulwari Ke  Nal till the 1960s when they were wiped out due to hunting. Then why is  there an insistence on reintroducing a predator species to an area that  is neither big enough nor suitable for them? Why are we as a nation  obsessed with specific "charismatic megafauna" and their conservation,  often in direct opposition to scientific advisories and local  discontent?

Meenal Tatpati works with Kalpavriksh, a non-profit organisation focusing on environmental and social issues at local, national and global levels.