The Global Tiger Forum (GTF) has increasingly emphasized the importance of integrating community-based approaches into tiger conservation, especially in protected areas and human-dominated landscapes outside formal tiger reserves. Recognizing that many tiger populations persist beyond core reserves, often in fragmented forests and agro-pastoral mosaics, GTF has worked to strengthen local livelihoods and promote community stewardship in these critical buffer and corridor zones. Through collaborative models involving local governments, NGOs, and community-based organizations, GTF has supported sustainable livelihood interventions such as eco-tourism, agroforestry, non-timber forest produce (NTFP) value chains, and skill development programs tailored to local contexts. These initiatives aim to reduce resource dependency on forests, create alternative income sources, and enhance the incentive for communities to participate in conservation goals.

A central component of GTF’s work in these areas has been addressing human-wildlife interface conflicts—particularly those involving tigers and leopards—with proactive and inclusive solutions. GTF has facilitated conflict mitigation mechanisms such as early warning systems, rapid response teams, community vigilance committees, and awareness campaigns to foster coexistence. In high-conflict areas, it has also advocated for improved compensation schemes, insurance models, and participatory land-use planning. By fostering trust and empowering local stakeholders, these interventions have contributed to reducing retaliatory killings, increasing tolerance levels, and reinforcing the ecological integrity of landscapes that are vital for tiger dispersal and long-term viability. These efforts reflect the holistic approach to conservation that balances ecological priorities with socio-economic realities on the ground.