Bandhavgarh National Park, in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, is home to one of the last few concentrations of Bengal Tigers on Earth. Despite being declared a Tiger Reserve in 1968, tigers are facing the threat of poaching and encroachment on their land by the many villages surrounding the park. 

The Corbett Foundation, supported by the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, is undertaking important work through the Tiger Habitat Project – aiming to reduce human-wildlife conflict, restore natural habitats, and support local communities living alongside wildlife.

Forest clearing is a major threat to tiger habitats as it reduces their shelter and security. Reducing the need for wood consumption will reduce human activity in the forest, which will reduce human-tiger conflict. This is being done through the modification of wooden cattle sheds in 150 households in the Kaluabah, Pathari and Mardari villages, and swapping wood burning stoves for energy efficient smart stoves in 280 households across the Kaluabah, Mardari, Gadawah, Pathari and Gohadi villages. 

Renewing cattle sheds will potentially save 1300 trees over the next decade and swapping the cook stoves will save approximately 84 tonnes of wood per year, which is vital for protection of the tiger population. The new cookstoves will also benefit women and children by decreasing the risk of smoke inhalation during cooking. 

Exodus’ funding has also contributed to the installation of solar powered street lights in key areas in Manpur, which has helped to decrease negative interactions between humans and wildlife.  

A major ecological focus is the removal of Lantana camara, an invasive plant on native habitats which also creates hidden areas where tigers can unexpectedly encounter people, endangering both tigers and the communities. The project is aiming to clear 30 hectares of Lantana, including a crucial follow-up on 10 hectares in Jairasi and new restoration on 20 hectares in Pandhrapani. Removing this invasive species helps native grasses and plants return, supporting herbivores and lowering further chances of human-wildlife conflict. Past restoration has already led to the return of 13 mammal species, 92 bird species, 33 insect species, and 10 reptile and amphibian species.   

Alongside habitat work, four awareness programmes are planned for local villagers and schoolchildren, focusing on responsible coexistence with wildlife. The project is also providing 100 plastic cattle feed troughs to replace wooden ones, helping save around 100 trees, and will deliver chain-link fencing to 10 households to build secure cattle sheds, reducing livestock losses and potential retaliatory harm to wildlife.