Villagers across three districts of Rajasthan, namely Karauli, Dholpur and Bharatpur, have intensified their agitation against the Bandh Baretha eco-sensitive zone and a proposed tiger reserve in the border area shared by these districts. The protesters are now preparing for a large mass movement and have announced a Mahapanchayat at Mardhai on 13 July 2026, in which thousands of villagers from all three districts are expected to participate.
The agitators allege that the state government is advancing the process of expanding the tiger reserve and wildlife sanctuary without the consent of the villagers, threatening the very existence of a large number of villages. Raju Nawar, associated with the movement, said the proposed expansion would affect around 120 villages, home to roughly one to one and a half lakh people belonging to 36 communities, all of whom have united to oppose the proposal. He said several panchayats and mahapanchayats have already been held, in which villagers made it clear that they would not leave their land and villages under any circumstances.
Villagers argue that the expansion would seriously affect the agricultural land, livelihood and social life of farmers, as farming and animal husbandry are their main sources of income, and displacement would push thousands of families into an economic crisis. They demand that if the government wishes to promote tiger conservation, only the Bandh Baretha area should be developed as a tiger reserve or wildlife sanctuary, keeping populated villages and agricultural areas outside the proposed boundary.
Nawar also alleged that the Forest Department released a tiger named KP-3 in the area, spreading fear among residents, though the department has not officially responded. Villagers warned that the agitation would widen if their demands are ignored.