Maharashtra Expands Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve to Enhance Conservation Efforts
Maharashtra Expands Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve to Enhance Conservation Efforts
The expansion adds nearly 79 sq km to the reserve, increasing its core area to 704 sq km, aimed at better conservation and resolving human-wildlife conflicts.
In a significant move to bolster tiger conservation and address ongoing human-wildlife conflicts, the Maharashtra government has officially expanded the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) by an additional 78.79 sq km, now called the ‘Extended Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary’. With this extension, the core area of TATR grows from 625 sq km to 704 sq km.
Maharashtra’s Chief Wildlife Warden, Vivek Khandekar, welcomed the decision, noting that the expanded area provides an ideal habitat for the growing tiger population. The area is rich in ecological and faunal diversity, with bamboo clusters that support a variety of wildlife, including gaurs, tigers and herbivores.
The extension includes forested areas in the Palasgaon and Shivni ranges, as well as the village of Karwa, which has long been seeking relocation due to its proximity to tiger habitats. Under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines, families opting for relocation will be eligible for a compensation package, helping make the region a safer space for both tigers and humans.
The Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, with its historical significance dating back to its establishment as a reserve forest in 1879, has faced a long journey of conservation challenges, from hunting blocks to illegal poaching. This expansion is a key step towards ensuring the sustainability of the reserve, especially as the current tiger population has reached its carrying capacity. TATR recorded 93 tigers in its latest 2023 survey.
The relocation of the Karwa village, along with a few remaining families in Rantalodi, will further contribute to the inviolate core of the reserve, allowing it to thrive as a sanctuary for one of India’s most iconic wildlife species.
