Tigress ST-2, affectionately known as ‘Rajmata,’ will become the first tiger in Rajasthan to be commemorated with a life-sized statue at Sariska Tiger Reserve. Crafted from white marble from Banswara and red sandstone from Jaisalmer, the 9-foot-long, 4-foot-wide, and 4-foot-high statue is taking shape in Jaipur’s Sarna Dungri. Set on a 12-foot-wide, 5-foot-high pedestal, the 7-tonne tribute, costing Rs 7 lakh, is slated for completion by March’s end.

ST-2’s legacy is monumental. In 2008, she and tiger ST-1 were relocated from Ranthambore to Sariska, which had been declared tigerless in 2004-05 after poaching decimated its population of around 40. Her arrival sparked a revival. Giving birth to four cubs across litters in 2010 and 2014—tigresses ST-7, ST-8, ST-14, and tiger ST-13—she laid the foundation for 18 of Sariska’s current 42 tigers. Honored as ‘Rajmata’ a decade ago, she symbolized the reserve’s resurgence.

The tigress passed away on January 9, 2024, at 19, after an infected tail prompted her relocation to the Naya Pani Karnakabas Enclosure. A dedicated team of veterinarians and officials monitored her until the end. Forest Minister Sanjay Sharma paid his respects, touching her feet during her final darshan, underscoring her revered status.

The statue, depicting ST-2 roaming the wild, immortalizes her pivotal role in restoring Sariska’s roar. From a barren reserve to a thriving habitat, her contribution endures, celebrated through this historic monument—the first of its kind for a Rajasthan tigress.