Vision: From aloofness to Stewardship

What does it take to raise a generation that protects what their ancestors feared or exploited?

Rising anthropogenic pressure—grazing, fuelwood extraction, encroachment, litter, and rapid land-use change—threatens both Ranthambhore and Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserves. With limited awareness infrastructure in many forest-edge villages, communities often see tigers negatively, as symbols of risk rather than keystone species. Bagh Mitra was conceived to change this narrative—beginning with the youngest minds.

Program Overview

Launched in 2020, the Bagh Mitra Program (BMP) is Tiger Watch’s flagship conservation education initiative for high-conflict zones. By taking environmental education directly into classrooms—and out into the field through nature clubs and village activities—BMP connects children to their landscapes and prepares them to become active participants in conservation.

Delivery Model:

Mobile teams of trained educators visiting government schools through the academic year

Why It Matters

Anthropogenic pressure is the primary long-term threat to tigers and their habitat. Sensitising children living near tiger reserves is essential to reduce conflict, shift perceptions, and build a constituency for conservation. Bagh Mitra’s approach—local teachers, local contexts, local examples—ensures content is relatable and action-oriented.

Curriculum

Geography of Ranthambhore & Ramgarh; Flora & Fauna; Why Save the Tiger? Snakebite Treatment & Awareness; Fauna in Agro-pastoral lands; Water Sources & Water Conservation; Avifauna module; Ecosystems & Ecosystem Services; Protecting the Forest.

Tiger Festival (Bagh Mela), interactive talks, visual presentations, Q&A circles, nature walks, village clean-ups, youth-led clubs, seasonal campaigns, and end-line tests

Annual Activities

• Annual Drawing Competition: 6,000+ student particiate annually from 135 schools; school-level and overall final-level awardees
• Mandana Award:  Art, culture, and conservation synergy
• Annual Quiz Competition: School-level quizzes across all chapters
• Bagh Mitra Clubs: ~70 active village clubs sustaining year-round green actions
• Kanha Matki Phod: Children led summer bird-relief initiative, maintained using household waste
• Clean-up Drives & Nature Walks: Public-area plastic collection; guided walks on local flora/fauna
• Group Discussions: Mammal & reptile diversity, snakebite prevention, forest value
• Awareness Rallies: Conservation messaging for the community
• Seedling Nurturing: Seed collection and pre-monsoon nursery care
• Tiger Fairs (Bagh Mela): A tiger festical organised in different schools hosting different activities and awards.
• Teachers’ Workshop: Pedagogy, legacy dialogues, refresher modules
• Grass Documentation: Seasonal ecology & fodder cycles (community learning)
• Museum Visits: Contextualising biodiversity through exhibits
• Expert Talks: Teacher get to interact with veteran conservationists.

Key Highlights of 2024-25

• Conservation Education:

  • 73 Bagh Mitra Clubs were established, involving students and villagers in activities like clean-up drives, bird feeding, and conservation discussions.

  • Classroom sessions covered 15 environmental topics, including biodiversity, tiger conservation, water conservation, and ecosystem awareness.

• Community Engagement:

  • 8 Bagh Melas (Tiger Fairs) were organized, attracting 300-500 participants per event through exhibitions, quizzes, and wildlife-themed competitions.

  • Over 6,500 students participated in drawing competitions and 2,500 in Mandana art competitions, promoting conservation through creativity.

  • Teachers underwent specialized training on biodiversity, field techniques, and interactive teaching methods.

• Impact & Achievements:

  • 1,000 bird water feeders were installed to aid avian conservation.

  • 1000+ native plants were nurtured and distributed for reforestation efforts.

  • Nature walks, heritage site visits, and interactive conservation games were integrated into school activities.

With growing community participation, the Bagh Mitra Program continues to strengthen conservation awareness and sustainable practices, ensuring a lasting impact on Rajasthan’s biodiversity.

For more details, Check the Complete Report.