In a significant step for wildlife management, Maharashtra will transfer eight tigers from the Tadoba-Andhari and Pench reserves to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.
This initiative, approved by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests on Thursday, aims to reduce territorial conflicts in the densely populated Vidarbha region and restore the tiger population in the Western Ghats.
Addressing Overcrowding in Vidarbha
The Vidarbha region, particularly the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, currently hosts 95 tigers, with an additional 250 in the Chandrapur district. This high density has led to frequent and often fatal territorial clashes.
In a recent incident, one tiger died and another was severely injured in a conflict. The situation is further exacerbated by rising human-tiger encounters. To alleviate these pressures, five female and three male tigers will be relocated.
Revitalizing Sahyadri’s Tiger Population
The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, which spans the Konkan and Satara regions, currently has only three resident tigers and nine occasional visitors from Karnataka and Goa.
Poor breeding success has raised concerns among conservationists. A 2022 presentation to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) by IFS officer Clement Ben highlighted this issue, and the current relocation plan follows his recommendations.
Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) Milind Mhaiskar described the decision as “long-awaited and welcome,” emphasizing that it balances conservation goals with the need to reduce human-animal conflict.
Differing Perspectives on Relocation
While the move has garnered support from some conservationists, it has also sparked debate among experts. Suresh Chopane of the Chandrapur-based NGO Green Planet supports the plan, noting that Vidarbha’s high tiger density results in nearly two annual deaths from territorial fights.
However, tiger expert Dr. Anish Andheria of the Wildlife Conservation Trust expressed reservations. He cautioned that Sahyadri’s distinct topography, heavy rainfall, lower prey density, and differing community attitudes could pose challenges. Relocated tigers might turn to hunting cattle due to limited natural prey, potentially escalating conflicts.
Dr. Andheria also highlighted Sahyadri’s narrow geography, which could increase the likelihood of tigers straying into villages. He suggested that relocating tigers from southern Maharashtra, where ecological conditions are more similar to Sahyadri, might be a more effective approach.
