The Maharashtra Forest Department is gearing up for a significant initiative to bolster tiger conservation efforts in the forests of the Northern Western Ghats. Their plan involves the translocation of eight tigers, comprising three males and five females, from the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR).

Awaiting the green signal from the Union Environment Ministry, the forest department is poised to kickstart this crucial project. The Northern Western Ghats serve as a vital wildlife corridor between Maharashtra and Karnataka, making this endeavor a pivotal step in tiger conservation.

As the sole tiger reserve in the western region of Maharashtra, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve holds significant importance. It stands with four other tiger reserves in the country, Kaval in Telangana, Satkosia in Odisha, Dampa in Mizoram, and Kamlang in Arunachal Pradesh, in currently having zero tigers within their confines.

Spanning across Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, and Ratnagiri districts of Maharashtra, STR was established in 2010 by merging the Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. Encompassing an area of 1,165 sq km, this reserve plays a crucial role in facilitating connectivity among tiger populations in various sanctuaries and reserves across Maharashtra and Karnataka.

However, the recent tiger census report underscored the absence of tiger evidence within Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. Moreover, it shed light on the looming threats posed by mining activities, road projects, and human settlements to the wildlife corridor linking STR with Karnataka’s forests.

Having secured clearance from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in October 2023, the forest department now awaits approval from the Ministry. The translocation process will commence with the transfer of a male tiger or a pair of male and female tigers from TATR to STR in its initial phase.

To facilitate the safe transport of these majestic animals, the department has outfitted a special vehicle with misting equipment for the comfort of the tigers during the journey from Chandrapur to the Western Ghats. Similar translocations are also planned from other reserves like Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.