India’s First Private Biospheres & Private Reserves: Rajaji Raghati Biosphere, SAI Sanctuary, and Jabarkhet Nature Reserve
Rajaji Raghati Biosphere (RRB), Uttarakhand
- Location: Haridwar and Dehradun districts, adjoining Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Shivalik foothills overlooking Raghati riverbed.
- Founders: Jai Dhar Gupta and Vijay Dhasmana.
- Land Restoration: Previously degraded due to monoculture eucalyptus plantations and soil erosion; restoration involved removing non-native trees, contouring land for water retention, and promoting groundwater recharge.
- Flora: Native species reintroduced include haldu, rohini, mala, saal, jamun, and pangana, through seed banks and nursery programs.
- Sustainable Practices: Bans combustion-engine vehicles; emphasizes harmonious coexistence with wildlife, integrating local knowledge from Gujjar communities.
- Future Plans: Add 35–40 new species per monsoon; forest expected to fully mature into a natural ecosystem over 2–3 years.
SAI Sanctuary, Karnataka
- Location: Kodagu district, Karnataka.
- Founders: Pamela Malhotra and Anil Malhotra.
- Focus: Habitat restoration, wildlife protection from poaching, and promoting environmental awareness.
- Significance: First private wildlife sanctuary in India, representing a model for private conservation stewardship.
Significance of Private Biospheres
- Complement national conservation programs by creating additional protected areas.
- Restore degraded ecosystems and safeguard biodiversity.
- Demonstrate sustainable private stewardship integrating ecological restoration, local community engagement, and eco-tourism.
- Challenges include land acquisition, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability planning.
Private Reserves in India: Jabarkhet Nature Reserve (JNR), Uttarakhand
- Location: Near Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.
- Significance: First privately owned and operated nature reserve in Uttarakhand; focuses on wildlife and habitat conservation.
- Biodiversity Restoration: Fauna includes leopard, barking deer, goral, yellow-throated marten, leopard cat, jungle cat, black bear, porcupine, wild boar, red fox, jackal, black-naped hare, civet, and sambar. Flora includes over 40 species of ferns, 300 types of flowers, and 150 bird species.
- Sustainable Tourism Model: Ticketed trails, guided visits, and training local villagers as guides; wildlife priority over tourism; “slow tourism” approach with minimal environmental impact.
- Community Involvement: Local villagers employed in ecological management and habitat restoration, integrating traditional knowledge with modern conservation.
- Historical Context: Jabarkhet Estate was previously overused and degraded; restoration included litter cleanup, invasive species removal, and reforestation.
- Policy Relevance: Offers a model for eco-tourism policies balancing wildlife conservation, local livelihoods, and controlled tourism; critical as pressures from mining, infrastructure, and urban expansion increase.
Static / Background Context
- Private Conservation Trend: Private biospheres and reserves provide additional protected habitats, complementing government conservation programs.
- Historical Wildlife: Mussoorie and surrounding regions historically rich in wildlife, including tigers, leopards, and deer (records from 1884 and 1907).
- Restoration Efforts: Emphasis on native flora reintroduction, habitat management, invasive species control, and community participation.
- Sustainable Tourism: Model demonstrates how private initiatives can balance ecological preservation with minimal-impact tourism.
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Updated - 08 January 2026 ; 10:26 AM | The Hindu