The management plan being followed by Project Tiger at various sites is based on a `core-buffer' strategy. This means the core area is kept free of all human activity while the buffer allows conservation-oriented land use. It is the aim of the project to expand both core and buffer zones to form more viable conservation sites, with greater ranges that can support higher tiger populations. A popular movement supports plans to acquire private property around the protected areas and extend their boundaries but not much headway seems to have been made in this respect. The present emergency, which should be extended to all parks, sanctuaries and forests, is an opportune moment to assess the outcomes of Project Tiger initiatives and to audit the implementation in various States of its recommendations. These include programmes relating to poaching, securing the livelihood of forest-dependant communities, and curbs on activities such as road building in protected areas.

Along with support from the public and the judiciary to protect forests, the Environment Ministry and the Indian Forest Service need more modern science and a well-equipped wildlife force. The Indian Forest Service has been greatly weakened by a shortage of trained manpower to protect forests; it has in addition unwisely diversified into forest-based economic activities that go against the grain of conservation. A strong focus on wildlife science is absent in most State forest bureaucracies. The way forward will be for the Environment Ministry to start a new chapter of collaboration with universities, credentialled research and conservation institutions, and individual scientists. Officialdom needs to move away from a state of denial when confronted with serious conservation issues as in Sariska. The Ministry must create an enabling environment for the application of modern scientific tools to research. Currently there is an unexplained suspicion of camera traps and associated statistical models as a means of assessing tiger populations, though traditional methodologies have not proved to be superior. The cause of conservation will be better served by a transparent policy that welcomes genuine scientific endeavour, provides liberal research assistance, and sets store by rigorous evaluation.