In 1983, the Uttar Pradesh State Government gazetted its intention, under The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, to create the 820 sq. km. Rajaji National Park, which is home to endangered species such as the tiger and the elephant, but the final declaration of the park has not happened. There are several reasons for the delay, the principal one being the resettlement of some 1,390 Gujjar families - a community of traditional grazers - who, along with over 20,000 cattle, have lived inside Rajaji.

With the increasing population of Gujjars and their changing life style, the pressures on forest resources increased, threatening the very survival of the park's eco-system and all those who depended on it.

It became clear some 20 years ago that, unless these pressures on the forest were reduced, Rajaji could not remain a home for either the Van Gujjars or the wildlife. Consequently, the government built a resettlement colony in the late 1980’s at Pathri, 15kms from the park. The Van Gujjars were however reluctant to leave the forest and the colony remained unoccupied till the late 1990’s, when about 65 families agreed to move. Now some 400 families, along with 700-800 cattle, have been resettled in Pathri. Another 185 families have gone to a colony in Sabalgarh (Gaindikhata), where it is planned to relocate 878 families from Rajaji and 181 families from Sonanadi WL sanctuary.

WPSI, along with local NGOs and concerned individuals, has been encouraging and facilitating this rehabilitation process, working to ensure that basic facilities are made available to resettled families. In addition, in an effort to improve the Van Gujjars' living conditions, WPSI has been helping them to become more self-sufficient and less dependant on forests. All these activities are being carried out in conjunction with the Field Director.

WPSI’s Project Officer, who is based in Haridwar adjacent to Rajaji, liaises between the Gujjar community in Pathri, government officials, and various organisations to ensure that the resettlement activities are supported.

Conditions at Pathri have been steadily enhanced over the past four years. At the end of 2000, the State Electricity Board regularized electricity supply and the State Water Board installed 10 water pumps. The approach road was repaired and a feeding project for livestock, to reduce grazing pressures, was launched. WPSI provided the salary for a vocational training teacher and funds for training materials for a year. In June 2001, it provided funds to the Gujjar Eco-Development Committee to form a milk co-operative and a revolving working capital fund. WPSI also provides funds to purchase general medicines for the families, and its project officer co-ordinates medical camps.

To test an alternate fuel source, WPSI launched a pilot project that provided liquid petroleum gas (LPG) gas cylinders and stoves to five Gujjar families at Pathri. This proved to be very effective and in 2003 WPSI received a petition signed by 250 Gujjar families for further stoves and cylinders. In collaboration with The Friends of the Doon (FOD), WPSI has also provided executive and technical support to a dairy development project.

In view of WPSI’s continued support, the Forest Department invited WPSI to be part of the Supervisory Committee for Rehabilitation of Van Gujjars, which meets periodically with the Gujjar Eco-Development Committee.

In 2002, the Chief Minister of Uttaranchal gave WPSI an award for its substantial contribution to wildlife conservation in the state.