As a young child, L Krishnamoorthy was always drawn to the beauty of forests. He would spend his playtime exploring the Eastern Ghats near his village, Krishnagiri, in Tamil Nadu. He developed an early love for nature’s untamed beauty.
This passion led him to study forestry. Years later, he went on to become an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer — a role that would set the stage for his lifelong commitment to conservation.
In 1998, during his training at Kanha Tiger Reserve, Krishnamoorthy experienced a defining moment — the awe-inspiring sight of a tiger in its natural habitat. That encounter ignited a burning desire to protect these majestic creatures and their homes.
Over the course of the last decades, he launched numerous conservation efforts marked by notable achievements. One such achievement is doubling the number of tigers in Madhya Pradesh’s Satpura Tiger Reserve.
As the tiger roams more freely today across the Satpura landscapes of the state, it stands as a living tribute to the unwavering dedication of Krishnamoorthy, who committed to preserving India’s natural heritage — ensuring that future generations will witness the majestic tiger in its rightful home.
We sat down with the IFS officer to delve into his remarkable journey and the relentless pursuit of nurturing wildlife in Satpura.
For both wildlife and community
Madhya Pradesh is famous for its rich tapestry of wildlife and lush forested landscapes. Among these natural treasures stands the Satpura Tiger Reserve. Krishnamoorthy, who currently works as an Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, first started his tenure as a field director in Satpura in 2017.
Around that time, the reserve was home to fewer than 40 tigers. Recently, however, intensive conservation efforts have resulted in a promising increase in tiger numbers. By 2023, the population of unique individual tigers observed using camera traps had risen to 61, with overall population estimates reaching 80.
“The sightings on camera traps and other evidence estimated the number to be 80. We rely on methods like stripe patterns also to know unique individuals. Every tiger has a stripe pattern, it’s similar to what the fingerprints are for human beings,” he says.
Under Krishnamoorthy’s leadership, the reserve has seen marked improvements beyond tiger conservation. The populations of sambar, gaur, chital, and wild pigs have flourished, and a successful initiative has established a thriving second home for the endangered barasingha. The population of barasingha has doubled in the last decade from 114 to over 240.
“The key is consolidation. We have an excellent population of boar and other animals. Tigers will automatically increase when you consolidate the landscape and protect their habitat. We involved the local communities and earned the support of the staff, which helped us provide a safe environment for the tigers. This facilitated their growth,” the IFS officer explains.
This remarkable progress owes much to Krishnamoorthy’s strategic initiatives. It involves consolidating landscapes through strategic population relocations, habitat improvements, and extensive community engagement.
Under his guidance, more than 2,500 rural residents in 10 villages were relocated voluntarily from within the Satupura Reserve’s core and buffer areas. This immense task was accomplished by building trust with villagers and showcasing the myriad livelihood opportunities available in areas outside the forest.
“Inside the forest, the villagers did not have access to roads or power. When I joined, I tried to give a push towards the ongoing volunteer village relocation from the core and the buffer area. We ensured that villagers got access to land for farming, clean drinking water, and electricity. Providing facilities to better living conditions proved to be a game changer in boosting the tiger population,” he says.
Harnessing technology for conservation
Krishnamoorthy also leveraged technology to enhance conservation efforts. He strengthened the existing M-Stripes programme, an Android-based mobile application, and revolutionised patrolling by enabling staff to capture ecological data and document their routes digitally. This innovative tool helped ensure consistent monitoring and protection of the tiger reserve’s vast landscapes.
Krishnamoorthy has significantly revitalised ecotourism in the region, transforming it into a powerful instrument for the local economy and conservation awareness. By introducing multiple tourism zones and developing new attractions such as wildlife viewing, boating, and hiking activities, he ensured Satpura Tiger Reserve attracted nature enthusiasts.
Importantly, the tourism initiatives provide sustainable livelihoods for local communities, employing approximately 230 individuals as trained guides, including 35 women. “This was the first time women guides and drivers were involved in bringing gender equity in eco-tourism activities which transformed the lives of these rural women at the local village level. This has contributed to both conservation and community empowerment,” he adds.
“It was after receiving a week of training from Krishnamoorthy Sir that I started working at the reserve, and I truly enjoy it. My job involves guiding tourists into the heart of the forest, and I share details of the forest and wildlife with them,” Ganeshi Kalme (32), who has been working at the reserve as a guide since 2021, tells The Better India.
“I am not afraid to venture deep into the jungle. I find it thrilling to encounter diverse wildlife like tigers, sambar, and chital. Surprisingly, when I saw a tiger for the first time, I wasn’t scared. I feel strong and empowered, and tourists are pleased to see a female guide,” she adds.
‘Conservation is not a one-day job’
Krishnamoorthy also launched the Satpura Workers Society to involve staff and patrol watchers in managing ecotourism, benefiting their welfare. The 650-member society manages business worth about Rs 2.5 crore, channelling profits back to staff welfare. “So again, it’s a game changer in the management that every individual who is working in the tiger reserve is reaping the benefits of tourism, and they connect with the park,” he mentions.
Though much work remains, Krishnamoorthy and his dedicated team’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Satpura Tiger Reserve has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious WWF Wildlife Conservation Award and the 2022 TX2 Award. The reserve was ranked as the second-best tiger reserve by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 2022. For his exceptional work, Krishnamoorthy has been recognised with awards like the Eco Warrior Award 2023 and the Sanctuary Asia Award 2025.
As Krishnamoorthy reflects on these achievements, he emphasises the continuing nature of conservation work. “Conservation is not a one-day job,” he muses. “It’s a continuous journey in which we are happy to contribute.”
Edited by Arunava Banerjee; All photos courtesy L Krishnamoorthy
No comments:
Post a Comment