Try GOLD - Free
Can the Rajmata's legacy survive?
The Statesman Siliguri
|July 09, 2025
On 28 June 2025, the Sariska Tiger reserve in Alwar, Rajasthan created history by consecrating the country's first tiger memorial in remembrance of Rajmata, the late tigress ST-2, who played a crucial role in reviving the tiger population of the reserve.
Tucked away against the picturesque backdrop of the Aravalli hills of Rajasthan, the lure of the Sariska Tiger reserve has been revived for tourists in recent years. Yet, in the not-so-distant past, it was desperately struggling with its tiger population.
Between 2004 and 2008, Sariska had lost all its tigers to poaching, and the confirmation of the tragic news came as a rude shock for all wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists of the country.
Translocated from the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in 2008, ST-2 (now revered as Rajmata) had a remarkable role to play in the revival of the tiger population in Sariska.
Born to Machli T-16 and Tiger T-2 of Ranthambore, ST-2, following her translocation to Sariska, lived for over 19 years—a remarkable feat for any big cat living in the wild.
Following her ailing health with age, coupled with a grievous wound in the tail, she was confined for treatment in the Karankabas enclosure in the Naya Pani area of the Sariska reserve for nearly three months before passing away on 11 January 2024.
Following her translocation from Ranthambore, much to the relief of the park authorities, she not only swiftly adjusted to her new surroundings but ensured the continuity of the legacy of tigers in Sariska by giving birth to tigresses like ST7, ST8, ST14, and the male tiger ST13.
She earned the title of Rajmata or Queen Mother for reviving the tiger population which, as mentioned earlier, in 2008 had been shockingly reduced to zero.
What was the reason behind her reincarnation as a Rajmata? Rajasthan is renowned for its glorious legacy of Queen mothers: Rajmata Krishna Kumari of Jodhpur; Rajmata Gayatri Devi and Rajmata Padmini Devi of Jaipur; Rajmata Sushila Kumari of Bikaner, to mention a few.
This story is from the July 09, 2025 edition of The Statesman Siliguri.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Statesman Siliguri
The Statesman Siliguri
Nine die in stampede at temple in Andhra
Nine people, including eight women and a child, died and several people were injured in a stampede at a private temple in Kasibugga town of Palasa constituency in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh where a large number of devotees had gathered on the occasion of Ekadashi during the holy month of Kartik.
1 mins
November 02, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri
Karnataka CM urges Centre to frame law foreducation in mothertongue
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday urged the Central government to enact suitable laws to ensure that education is imparted in the mother tongue, even as he announced that 900 Kannada-medium Urdu-medium schools would be developed into Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) and teaching of Kannada in
1 min
November 02, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri
Tourist ban lifted in Sandakphu as weather improves
The Darjeeling district administration has lifted the temporary ban on tourist movement to Sandakphu and its adjoining areas after weather conditions showed signs of improvement on Saturday.
1 min
November 02, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri
Flood threat looms over North Bengal
The threat of another flood looms large in north Bengal, following incessant rain for the last two days due to the aftereffects of Cyclone Montha, causing the water level of the rivers to start to rise above the danger level, triggering panic among the people of a fresh flood and landslides in the hill districts.
1 mins
November 02, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri
Rahul Gandhi extends warm wishes on Foundation Day to states and UTs
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday took to social media platform X to extend heartfelt greetings to the people of Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep on their respective Foundation Days.
1 min
November 02, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri
BJP MP Manoj Tigga sparks row over alleged threat to Alipurduar BDO
A fresh political controversy has erupted in Alipurduar after a video surfaced showing BJP MP Manoj Tigga allegedly threatening Madarihat Block Development Officer (BDO) Amit Kumar Chourasia over the alleged discrimination in government relief distribution among flood-affected families and forest dwellers.
1 mins
November 02, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri
Mamata to lead protest march against SIR on 4 November
Trinamul Congress chairperson and chief minister Mamata Banerjee, along with the party’s second-in-command, national general secretary and MP, Abhishek Banerjee, will take to the streets on Tuesday, 4 November, to protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls currently underway in the state.
1 min
November 02, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri
BLO training begins amid chaos in Kolkata ahead of SIR; CEO seeks Central forces
As part ofthe Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, training for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) commenced across multiple centres in Kolkata on Saturday.
2 mins
November 02, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri
Awaiting the grand finale
It is interesting for me to observe how conversation topics with my friends have evolved with our age. Before we reached retirement age our discussions focused on women/relationships, travelling to exotic places, our professional activities, children's future, debates about Obama's birthplace, sports, movies etc. In more recent years, the focus has shifted to health issues, social security benefits, reminiscing about life, existence of God, financial planning in old age and so on.
4 mins
November 02, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri
CBIbooks CGST officer Ratiram Meena foramassing disproportionateassets
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Department Assistant Commissioner, Ratiram Meena, on charges of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
1 min
November 02, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size