In the dense, untamed wilderness of Uttar Pradesh’s tiger country, one woman walks with courage, compassion, and conviction. Khushboo Upadhyay, a name now synonymous with fearless forest protection, has become a living legend—rescuing 18 leopards and transforming human-wildlife conflict zones into safe havens for both.
Nicknamed “The Tiger Woman”, this 2017-batch officer of the UP PCS has emerged as a beacon of hope—not only for the animals she saves but for countless young women daring to dream of serving in India’s toughest terrains.
From Ayodhya’s Alleys to the Wilds of Amangarh
Born in the sacred city of Ayodhya, Khushboo began her journey in intelligence services. But the call of the wild proved stronger. Swapping files for forests, she cleared the UPPSC exam and entered the UP Forest Department in 2021. After intensive training in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, she returned to Uttar Pradesh with a mission: protect the voiceless.
In June 2023, she was posted as the first woman Forest Range Officer in Amangarh Tiger Reserve, a volatile region plagued by frequent human-leopard conflicts. There, her calm resolve and quick-thinking leadership made her the go-to officer for rescue operations across multiple ranges.
Leopard Rescuer, Wildlife Warrior
Each of her 18 leopard rescues tells a story of courage. In one emotional case, a tiny leopard cub—abandoned and starving—was hand-fed with kitten formula by Khushboo’s team. Against all odds, the mother returned days later, captured on a hidden camera, reuniting with her cub. These moments, as Khushboo says, “stay with you forever.”
Her work didn’t just save animals. It built trust among villagers, resolved inter-state forest disputes, and demonstrated that women could lead on the front lines of India’s ecological future.
Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies
As the first woman posted in a Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh, Khushboo shattered gender stereotypes in a field often seen as a male bastion. Her leadership, empathy, and unshakable commitment have made her a role model for women in uniformed services.
