The initiative aims to empower women by offering them direct roles in wildlife conservation while establishing a reliable community-level liaison between local villages and forest officials.

As vital frontline communicators, the ‘Bagh Didis’ will monitor tiger sightings, report signs of big cat movement to forest control rooms, and alert authorities when predators approach human settlements. Beyond tracking, they will educate villagers on safe behaviors around forest fringes, discourage residents from entering sensitive wildlife areas, and build awareness regarding natural tiger behavior. Their proactive outreach is designed to prevent accidental encounters and ensure both human safety and wildlife protection.

To support their operational responsibilities, each selected ‘Bagh Didi’ will receive an official identity card, an honorarium, and essential communication tools such as mobile phones and direct emergency contacts. Following the initial rollout around Kanha, the Forest Department plans to expand the model across all tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh, with a long-term vision of placing at least one ‘Bagh Didi’ in every vulnerable fringe village.