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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Maharashtra's Chandrapur grapples with surge in tiger attacks: 11 killed in May, 22 deaths reported so far this year
As Maharashtra's Chandrapur district continues to witness a rise in tiger population amid an intense dependency on forests among residents, the region is grappling with an alarming surge in human-wildlife conflict. In the month of May alone, 11 people were killed in tiger attacks. Recent data from forest authorities reveals that between 2021 and May 2025, 173 people have lost their lives in wildlife encounters in the district, a vast majority of which (150) were attributed to tiger attacks. According to official figures, the tiger population in Chandrapur district surged from 34 in 2006 to 223 in 2021, parallel to a broader state-level increase from 103 in 2006 to 444 in 2022. However, this success in conservation has come with significant challenges. Human deaths peaked in 2022 with 53 fatalities, while 2025 has already recorded 22 deaths as of May 31. The bulk of these wildlife encounters in the last five years – 110 of the total 173 – occurred 'within forested zones'. In addition to fatalities, human injuries due to wildlife attacks have also steadily risen, from 76 in 2021 to 314 in 2024, and 129 cases already reported in 2025. Livestock losses are also mounting, with over 10,900 animals killed between 2021 and 2025. Compensation payments to affected individuals for livestock losses have exceeded Rs 122 crore during the same period, with the 2024–25 financial year alone seeing payouts of Rs 31.39 crore. Speaking to The Indian Express, Dr Jitendra Ramgaonkar, Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Chandrapur, said, 'This particular period coincides with the collection of tendu leaves, and during May, around 50,000-60,000 people go into the forest, which has more than 150 tigers. That increases the chances of encounter.' He added, 'In this case, the incidents can be avoided if people follow forest advisories, but people don't give importance to these advisories. Even if the department stops them physically, they find another way to enter the forest as it is not walled.' The leaves of the tendu tree are used to make traditional Indian cigarettes or beedis. The tree is also an important source of timber, which is used in construction and furniture making. Dr Ramgaonkar said the entire forest area of the district (excluding wildlife sanctuaries and national parks), is divided into several tendu leaf collection units which are auctioned annually. These units may be purchased by the same or different contractors each year. However, most of the recent wildlife attacks have occurred deep within the forest. He further noted that tenders are floated every year for these units. In certain regions where community forest rights have been officially recognised, the gram sabha acts as both the seller and the decision-making body for choosing the purchaser. Dr Ramgaonkar said the department carried out an exercise where high, moderate, and less sensitive areas of the district were mapped for tiger movement. 'We monitor these movements using the camera traps installed. We deploy our teams where necessary. But if you notice carefully, almost 95 per cent of the incidents are happening in the forest area. Tigers are not coming out and killing people, people are going inside the tiger's area. We need to focus on the fact that if not in the forest, then where should the tigers live?' The department has also observed that in many such incidents, people sleep inside the forest, out in the open. 'These are the things that are difficult to comprehend, and it has become difficult to understand the behaviour of the people. Hence, we need to be very strict about the entry of people into the forest, but unfortunately, we are not able to do that.' Dr Ramgaonkar added, 'There are no tigers lurking around Chandrapur city.' 'We have a large number of Primary Response Teams (PRT) formed with the involvement of the villagers themselves. We have such teams in around 200 villages. Every team has five members. They are trained and provided with security kits. They work as first responders. In case of animal movements, we provide them with the necessary information. They then reach the location and alert the villagers.' Talking about an AI-powered early warning system, he said, 'It has been implemented in 20 villages and it is working. But we can put that system in the interface of the forest and villages, wherever the animal comes from the forest and tries to go into the village. But if people are going deep inside the forest, no system can work there.' Chandrapur district is known for its rich forest cover spread across 4,845.31 sq km. This includes territorial (2,759.74 sq km) forests, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) (1,321.90 sq km), Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM)-managed (759.65 sq km) and revenue (4.02 sq. km) forests. Administratively, the Chandrapur Forest Circle is divided into three divisions, Chandrapur, Brahmapuri, and Central Chanda, which together comprise 19 forest ranges, 69 forest blocks, and 275 designated forest areas. To address the human-wildlife conflicts, authorities have ramped up response mechanisms. Since July 2023, 22 tigers and leopards have been tranquilised and relocated to safe enclosures, including Kanhargaon Sanctuary, Gorewada Zoo in Nagpur, and the Transit Treatment Centre in Chandrapur. A network of 181 primary and rapid response teams, comprising 917 members, has been deployed across the district's forest divisions to manage emergencies and mitigate threats. Camera traps, now numbering 928 across 275 forest beats, are being used to monitor animal movement, while an advanced wildlife control room operating out of Rambag Colony coordinates real-time responses via the toll-free number 1800 3033. Despite these measures, forest dependency remains a key challenge.
The Hindu
02-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
A 1991 batch IFS officer C Suvarna takes charge as Telangana's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
A 1991 batch IFS officer, C. Suvarna, took full additional charge (FAC) as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), Telangana, Hyderabad on Wednesday (April 30, 2025). She was appointed to the post upon retirement of Rakesh Mohan Dobriyal. Dr. Suvarna continues to serve as PCCF of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) and Forest Conservation Act (FCA). Prior to this, she worked as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB); commissioner of Fisheries (Telangana); member secretary, Telangana State Biodiversity Board, Hyderabad; director, Andhra Pradesh Forest Academy and in other positions. Her work in increasing inland fisheries in Telangana paid off with her elevation as NFDB's CEO. She holds a one year program of graduate study and professional development certificate in Natural Resources Management from Cornell University, as well as Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Agriculture from Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
HC imposes ₹25K penalty on 2 govt depts, 3 forest officers for ignoring directives in Nagpur-Katol road safety PIL
Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday imposed a collective cost of Rs25,000 on two govt departments and three forest officers for failing to comply with its directives regarding the Nagpur-Katol road widening project. The Maharashtra Urban Development Department (UDD), Public Works Department (PWD), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), and the Range Forest Officer were penalized for not submitting their replies despite previous directions from the court. A division bench comprising Justices Nitin Sambre and Vrushali Joshi directed the departments to file their affidavits within two weeks and warned that any further delay would not be tolerated. The directions came while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by citizens Dinesh Thakre and Sumit Babuta, represented by advocate Mahesh Dhatrak. The PIL raised concerns over prolonged delays in the project and the resulting public safety hazards. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo According to the petition, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed an agreement in September 2021 with two contractor firms—Agarwal Global Infrastructure and Joint Stock Company Industrial Association—to convert the Nagpur-Katol stretch into a four-lane highway. The 49.9 km project was scheduled for completion by August 2023. However, construction has been stalled for over 18 months with no visible progress. The PIL alleges that the incomplete roadworks have left behind hazardous diversions, abrupt curves, and exposed stretches lacking even basic safety features such as signage or barriers. These conditions have reportedly led to numerous accidents, including fatalities. Photographic evidence and news reports were submitted to substantiate these claims. In a previous hearing, the court had issued interim directions to central and state authorities—including the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the NHAI regional office, and senior officials from the state's PWD and forest departments—ordering the immediate installation of proper signage at sharp turns and accident-prone zones. In its response, NHAI submitted a compliance affidavit through Project Director Chandrakant Sinha, confirming that radium boards and diversion signage had been installed in accordance with the court's earlier order dated March 26. The affidavit included photographic documentation of safety measures implemented by the two EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contractors. NHAI also stated that it would file a comprehensive affidavit with further details upon receiving necessary approvals from its competent authority. Official correspondence dated April 12, 2025, from NHAI to the contractors, was also submitted. The petitioners have urged the court to order a time-bound completion of the project, implement essential safety measures, and take action against officials responsible for the delays and alleged negligence.
