Under the tiger conservation translocation project, the Forest Department is translocating 500 Chitals also from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), Chandrapur to Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) in Gondia soon. To curb man-animal conflict in Chandrapur and Yavatmal districts, the Forest Department started translocating excess tigers from there to NNTR last year under the tiger conservation translocation project. In the first phase, the department translocated two tigresses from Yavatmal district to NNTR, whereas in the second phase one tigress was shifted there.

 

The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on September 15, 2022, had granted permission to translocate 4/5 tigers in NNTR. “Out of three tigresses, two are residing in core and buffer areas of NNTR after their transfer from Yavatmal. One tigress went to Madhya Pradesh (MP). Currently, we are monitoring the remaining two tigresses,” Jayerame Gowda R, Field Director, NNTR, told ‘The Hitavada’. “Like big cats, the herbivorous population is also less in NNTR. Along with translocation of tigers, their prey base is also needed. Therefore, shifting 500 Chitals from TATR will take place till March next year,” said Gowda. “All formalities have been completed by the Forest Department to shift these herbivores and the shifting will take place in phases. In first phase, we are planning to bring 100-150 Chitals in NNTR and remaining will be shifted in the next few months,” said the Field Director. NNTR management is planning to keep these herbivores in closed enclosures for acclimatisation after shifting in Gondia’s forest. After a few days, these deers will be released in the forest.

 

“The fund for the project is already sanctioned and for this we have to install cages near forest areas. We have identified few compartments in Navegaon National Park where we are planning to release these Chitals,” said Gowda. NNTR management is also planning to translocate Sambar deer from TATR soon. “The process of shifting Sambar deer is also in pipeline. We are waiting for the permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as Sambar is a Schedule III animal of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972,” said Gowda. NNTR, which is situated over 653.67 sq km area, has less number of herbivores due to which the population of carnivores is also less. Despite dense forest in NNTR, the grasslands are very less in the tiger reserve. The grasslands are essential for tigers as well as for herbivores. The management is mitigating this issue by planting more grass species in the forest areas.